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Are you looking for ways to obtain your Canadian PR, but find that Express Entry alone doesn't offer you any viable options? Now, more than ever, province-centered programs are becoming a significant option for many applicants to achieve their PR goals. These streams not only address the economic and labor market needs of the province but also provide avenues for skilled individuals to settle permanently in this province full of opportunities.
To better understand, let us first give you an overview of both pathways:
It was established in 2003, and since then, it has evolved significantly, becoming a cornerstone for the province's immigration strategy. In 2021, Nova Scotia welcomed a record-breaking 9,020 permanent residents, marking a 19 percent increase from previous years. Remarkably, this number surged even higher in 2022, with approximately 13,800 permanent residents making Nova Scotia their new home.
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On the other hand, the Atlantic Immigration Program was launched in 2017 as a pilot part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy. Its main purpose was to assist employers in hiring foreign skilled workers and international graduates who wanted to work and live in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador, to fill job vacancies they were unable to fill locally. In December 2021, Nova Scotia announced that 4,485 individuals had immigrated to the province as a result of the AIP pilot. Due to its great results, the AIPP was made a permanent program in 2022.
Before you can decide which option would be best for your or your clients’ particular situation, let’s look closer at the different opportunities offered by the Nova Scotia PNP.
Firstly, there are the Indirect Streams, which include the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities, and Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians. These streams are aligned with the Express Entry system, providing additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points upon nomination. Secondly, there are the Direct Streams, comprising the Skilled Worker Stream, Occupation In-Demand Stream, the International Graduates Streams and Entrepreneur Stream. Unlike the Indirect Streams, Direct Streams are not aligned with Express Entry and require applicants to directly apply to Nova Scotia.
So, knowing this, which pathways are the best?
Let’s compare:
Candidates applying through Nova Scotia's Direct Streams can directly submit their applications to the NSNP, which will issue a nomination certificate if or when approved. On the other hand, candidates opting for Nova Scotia's Indirect Streams must first create an Express Entry profile and wait until an invitation is received from the province. Contrarily, the Atlantic Immigration Program requires employer sponsorship. Designated employers endorse positions by applying to the NSNP for endorsement. Once endorsed, foreign workers can directly apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the PR portal.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
Starting with Nova Scotia's Indirect Streams, such as the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry and Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities, applicants must meet specific NOC requirements.
For the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, individuals with work experience classified under NOC categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 are eligible. For the Labour Market Priorities, candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class streams must have work experience under NOC categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. For Federal Skilled Trades, the acceptable NOCs include various skilled trade groups such as Major Group 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, Minor Group 6320, and Unit Group 62200.
Now, what happens with Nova Scotia's Direct Streams. In the Skilled Worker Stream, applicants must meet NOC requirements categorized under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. For the Occupation In-Demand Stream, candidates must have work experience under NOC categories 3, 4, or 5 in specific job categories such as Nurse Aides, Food and Beverage Servers, Food Counter Attendants, Light Duty Cleaners, Transport Truck Drivers, Heavy Equipment Operators, and Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers. Lastly, the International Graduates In-Demand Stream accepts candidates from specific job categories, including Paramedical Occupations, Pharmacy Technicians, Nurse Aides, Orderlies, Patient Service Associates, and Early Childhood Educators and Assistants, all classified under specific NOC codes.
On the contrary, AIP accepts candidates for different TEER categories: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 and has no limitation for job offers under each teer.
Beginning with Nova Scotia's Indirect Streams, applicants for the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience in Nova Scotia within the last three years. Similarly, candidates applying through the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities must satisfy the minimum work experience prerequisites for the Express Entry stream they have qualified for. For the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians require one year of relevant work experience in specified NOC codes under the healthcare occupations list.
In the Direct Streams, such as the Skilled Worker Category, candidates should possess one year of relevant work experience for the job. Employees classified in TEER categories 4 or 5 of the National Occupational Classification must have already accumulated six months of experience with their current employer. Similarly, the Occupation In-Demand Stream requires candidates to have one year of work experience related to the job. However, for the International Graduates In-Demand Stream, no work experience is required.
For the AIP, applicants must have a minimum of one year of work experience within the last five years. It's crucial to note that the specific work experience required for designated job offers in different NOC categories varies:
You need to note that international graduates are exempt from meeting work experience requirements if they fulfill some criteria:
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
For most Nova Scotia's Indirect Streams, applicants do not necessarily require a job offer to apply. However, for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians, candidates must have an approved offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre after receiving a Letter of Interest from Labour, Skills, and Immigration (LSI).
In the Direct Streams, including the Skilled Worker Stream and the Occupation In-Demand Stream, applicants must have a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. Similarly, for the International Graduates In-Demand Stream, candidates need a full-time permanent job offer in specified occupations from an employer in Nova Scotia.
When it comes to the AIP, remember this is an employer-driven program, and a job offer from a designated employer is required. The Atlantic Immigration Program also requires that employers obtain designation before extending a job offer and hiring a candidate. This designation process is managed by each province separately. To become designated, an organization must maintain good standing, operate within the Atlantic region for a minimum of two years, and collaborate with a settlement service provider organization to facilitate settlement services for their candidates.
Nova Scotia's Immigration Streams typically require candidates to meet language requirements ranging from Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 to CLB 7, depending on the NOC category and stream they are applying for.
In contrast, the AIP mandates specific language requirements based on the NOC category of the job offer. For TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, a minimum of CLB/NCLC 5 is required, while for TEER category 4, CLB/NCLC 4 is sufficient.
Finally, let's discuss education requirements. Nova Scotia's Immigration Streams have varying educational qualifications based on the stream and job offer. For example, the Nova Scotia Experience Stream and the Skilled Worker Stream may both require a high school diploma, while the International Graduates In-Demand Stream may necessitate candidates to fulfill specific requirements for completing a course of study within three years of their application. This includes completing at least 50% of the program in Nova Scotia.
For the AIP, educational credentials also vary based on the NOC category of the job offer. For TEER categories 0 or 1, candidates must possess a Canadian post-secondary educational credential of at least one year, or its equivalent obtained outside Canada. For TEER categories 2, 3, or 4, a Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent from outside Canada is required.
Do you want to become a PR in Canada? At INGWE we could support you! Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants. We speak over +8 languages and we have helped applicants from +50 countries in their immigration path to Canada. Fill out our form, click here.
Like any other immigration program, the answer will vary depending on your circumstances. Do you have a job offer? Does your employer meet the eligibility criteria? Do you have work experience in a particular NOC? etc.
The good news is both the Nova Scotia immigration streams and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) serve as great alternatives for immigration to the province, each with its own unique set of requirements and application processes. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) offers a distinct advantage by welcoming candidates with job offers across a broad spectrum of National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories, including TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. This stands in contrast to other NSNP immigration programs, which often impose limitations on the types of job offers accepted or restrict eligibility to specific TEER categories. However, it's worth remembering that some NSNP programs, such as Express Entry and Labour Market Priorities, do not require a job offer to apply, while for the AIP, candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer.
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If you’re ready to apply and would like a 1-on-1 session with me or one of immigration team members at INGWE, you can also book a session directly using this consultation link.
