Nova Scotia Announces New Immigration Stream – No Job Offer Needed
MARCH, 2014
MARCH, 2014
The Province of Nova Scotia has created a new immigration option for aspiring permanent residents called the Regional Labour Market Demand Stream. This stream, which is administered under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), is particularly exciting because individuals do not need a job offer in Canada to apply.
The Regional Labour Market Demand Stream was announced in early March, and began considering applications on March 6, 2014. Through this stream, Nova Scotia immigration officials are able to select individuals with skills and experience that are in-demand in the province.
Eligibility Requirements for the Regional Labour Market Demand Stream
In order to be eligible for this stream, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be between the ages of 21 and 55;
Meet minimum language proficiency requirements;
Have at least two years of continuous full-time work experience within the past five years in an eligible occupation*;
Intend to work in an eligible occupation;
Be legally residing in current country of residence;
Have sufficient funds for settlement in Nova Scotia;
Have at least a high school level of education and a degree, diploma, or certificate from a post-secondary institution;
Completed post-secondary program must be at least one year in length
Demonstrate intent to live in Nova Scotia and ability to become economically established in the province;
Complete an Employment Settlement Plan; and
Attend an interview, if required.
*The NSNP has listed 43 eligible occupations. They can be viewed in their entirety here. The list includes, but is not limited to, occupations in the following fields: engineering, health services (including nursing), skilled trades, and food service.
The Settlement Plan
For this stream, applicants must complete an Employment Settlement Plan, which is provided by the NSNP. The settlement plan requires applicants to answer questions on the following topics:
Intended occupation in Nova Scotia;
Reasons for choosing Nova Scotia; and
Where they wish to settle and why.
By answering these questions, applicants demonstrate their desire to live in Nova Scotia as well as their readiness to quickly settle into their new homes.
The Application Process
Like other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), obtaining a permanent resident visa through the NSNP is a two-step process.
First, applicants must apply to the NSNP for provincial approval. For the Regional Labour Market Demand Stream, the NSNP has stated that processing times may be up to one month or more depending on the volume of applications received and the time required to assess the application documents. Nomination under the NSNP is solely at the discretion of the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Desirable applicants are then selected by the province and issued a Provincial Nomination Certificate. The overall application, including the Provincial Nomination Certificate, must then be approved by the Federal government.
In the second step of the process, the Federal government assesses an applicant's admissibility with respect to medical and security/criminality concerns. The final authority rests with the Federal government, who is ultimately responsible for granting Canadian permanent resident status.
What This Means for Applicants
The Regional Labour Market Demand Stream is a chance for individuals to immigrate to one of Canada's most economically and culturally dynamic provinces.
According to Attorney David Cohen, many prospective immigrants possess valuable skills and experience that are needed in Canada. However, due to the gradual restriction of some immigration programs, many have not yet been successful in obtaining Canadian Permanent Residency.
“In recent years, many if not most new Canadian immigration programs require that individuals first obtain a job offer in Canada in order to be eligible to apply,” said Attorney David Cohen. “The fact that this new stream does not require a job offer is likely to generate large amounts of interest.”
At the moment there is no deadline for submission of applications. However, the NSNP notes that this can change at any time.
“This new program is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to immigrate to one of Canada's most beautiful provinces,” said Attorney Cohen.
“However, such opportunities do not last forever. Now is the time for eligible applicants to seize the moment and have a chance to realize their immigration goals.”
Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2014/03/nova-scotia-announces-immigration-stream-job-offer-needed-033285.html
Eligibility Requirements for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Below are the detailed eligibility requirements for the various streams of the NSNP.
Regional Labour Market Demand Stream
This stream targets individuals whose skills and experience meet Nova Scotia labour market needs. Applicants are not required to have a job offer at the time of submitting their application. However, they must intend to pursue employment in an occupation that has been designated as ‘in demand’ by the province. The following occupations are currently designated as in-demand and thus eligible for this program:
Managers in Health Care
Retail and wholesale trade managers
Restaurant and Food Service Managers
Financial Auditors and Accountants
Other Financial Officers
Civil Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers)
Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
Database Analysts and Data Administrators
Software Engineers and Designers
Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Information systems testing technicians
Specialist Physicians
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Dentists
Pharmacists
Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Medical Laboratory Technologists
Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardiopulmonary Technologists
Medical Radiation Technologists
Medical Sonographers
Licensed Practical Nurses
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
Psychologists
Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
Retail Trade Supervisors
Chefs
Cooks
Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
Industrial Electricians
Welders and related machine operator
Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
Crane Operators
Supervisors, Other Mechanical and Metal Products Manufacturing
In addition, eligible applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Be between the ages of 21 and 55
Demonstrate language proficiency of at least level 5 according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale or the Niveaux de competence linquistique canadiens (NCLC) scale
Have an intended occupation in Nova Scotia that is considered skilled (NOC levels 0, A or B), and is in demand in their intended community of residence
Be legally residing in current country of residence
Have completed a high school level of education and received at least a degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution
Have at least two years of continuous, full-time work experience in last five years related to intended occupation in Nova Scotia
Demonstrate the ability to become economically established in Nova Scotia
Demonstrate intent to live in Nova Scotia permanently
Complete an Employment and Settlement Plan outlining their potential contributions to Nova Scotia
Attend an interview in Nova Scotia, if required
Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker Stream is composed of three different categories, each with their own eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
Skilled Workers
This category is for individuals with experience in an occupation classified as NOC level 0, A or B, also known as skilled occupations. Priority is given to these high skilled applicants. See below for further eligibility requirements.
Semi-Skilled Workers
This category is for workers whose occupations are classified as NOC level C, also known as semi-skilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.
Priority is given to semi-skilled workers whose employers:
Have made an effort to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position; and
Can demonstrate that they will provide support to assist newcomers with settlement needs
See below for further eligibility criteria.
Low-Skilled Workers
This category is for individuals whose occupations are classified as NOC level D, also known as unskilled occupations. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least 6 months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting their application for permanent residency.
Priority is given to low-skilled workers whose employers:
Have made an effort to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position; and
Can demonstrate that they will provide support to assist newcomers with settlement needs
See below for further eligibility criteria.
General Criteria for this Stream
In addition to the general eligibility outlined above, all applicants, regardless of their work experience, must meet the following eligibility requirements:
If living in Canada, provide proof of legal status
Be between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time of application
Receive a full time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
Have at completed at least a high school level of education (12 years of study), and;
Have the education, training, and licensing/certification needed to perform the job in Canada, if applicable
Have at least 12 months of relevant work experience
Meet language requirements for the program
For NOC levels 0, A or B – CLB level 5 in English or French
For NOC levels C or D – CLB level 4 in English or French
Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia
Employers sponsoring applicants through this program must meet the following requirements:
Be permanently established in Nova Scotia
Have operated in Nova Scotia, under current management, for at least two years
Issue a full time, permanent job offer to the individual applicant.
The job must be located in Nova Scotia
The job must have salary and benefits that meet Provincial employment standards
The job must be in a position for which there is a shortage of qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Job offers made to NOC level C or D occupations will be considered based on local labour market requirements and conditions
Demonstrate recruitment efforts to fill the position with a qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Family Business Worker
This stream helps Nova Scotia employers hire workers that are close relatives and have specific skills that may be difficult to find amongst Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In order to be eligible, the identified worker, or their spouse, must be related to the family business owner or the spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways:
Son or daughter
Brother or sister
Niece or nephew (children of brothers or sisters)
Uncle or aunt (parent’s brothers or sisters)
Grandchild
They may also be a step or half relative of the same degree.
In addition, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Have legal status in their country of residence
Have a permanent, full time job offer from a Nova Scotia business belonging to a close family member
Have the necessary education, training, qualifications or licensing/accreditation needed to perform the job
Have the appropriate work experience needed for the position
Demonstrate the intent and ability to settle in the Province of Nova Scotia
In addition, the family business owner, or their spouse, must meet the following criteria:
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Lived in Nova Scotia for at least two years
Own at least 33.3% of the business issuing a job offer.
Business should be under current management for at least two years
Have a financially viable business that can provide the salary and other parameters outlined in the job offer
Not received social assistance or employment assistance within the last two years
Issue a full-time, permanent job offer to the close family member that meets the following requirements:
Has a salary, benefit, and working condition standards that meet provincial employment standards
Does not contravene bargaining agreements or settle any labour disputes
For occupations requiring certification, applicant should contact a provincial certification organization and verify they meet requirements
The family business owner or their spouse/common-law or conjugal partner may support an application under this category no more than once every two years. They may have to provide documentation to show that previously supported family members have settled into Nova Scotia, found employment, and not needed social assistance.
Source: http://www.canadavisa.com/eligibility-requirements-nova-scotia-nominee-program.html#List
