Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry immigration stream — which reopened the morning of October 11 for up to 300 new applications — has reached its intake limit for this application intake period. This stream allows eligible Express Entry candidates with work experience in an eligible occupation to submit an application for a provincial nomination under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
As this is an enhanced Express Entry- ed stream, successful applicants receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent draw from the pool.
The brevity of this intake period was not entirely unexpected, as this stream has proven popular in the past. However, immigration authorities in Nova Scotia have stated that they plan to reopen this stream again in the future.
Opportunity Occupations
The following occupation list represents professions where there may be employment opportunities in Nova Scotia. The occupations are classified with National Occupational Classification (NOC).
This list was in use for the most recent application cycle, and is subject to change.
| Occupation title | NOC | Skill level |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Auditors and Accountants | 1111 | A |
| Other financial officers | 1114 | A |
| Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations | 1123 | A |
| Administrative assistants | 1241 | B |
| Accounting and related clerks | 1311 | B |
| Civil engineers | 2131 | A |
| Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 | A |
Computer programmers and interactive media development | 2174 | A |
| Computer network technicians | 2281 | B |
| User support technicians | 2282 | B |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 3012 | A |
| Licensed practical nurses | 3233 | B |
College and other vocational instructors | 4021 | A |
| Paralegal and related occupations | 4211 | B |
| Social and community service workers | 4212 | B |
| Financial sales representatives | 6235 | B |
Eligibility requirements
Express Entry candidates who wish to apply to Category B of Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry must:
- Have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the last six years in one of the ‘opportunity’ occupations considered by Nova Scotia (listed above);
- Have their foreign education credentials assessed;
- Demonstrate, by way of a standardized language test acceptable to the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, at least an adequate intermediate language proficiency in English or French (Canadian Language Benchmark 7);
- Obtain at least 67 points on the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry points grid. Points are awarded based on language proficiency, age, work experience, education, and adaptability; and
- Have a profile in the Express Entry pool.
Category A remains open
Category A of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream remains open at this time. There is no targeted occupations list under this category, but applicants need a valid job offer in order to be eligible.
A valid job offer must be:
- made by one employer in Nova Scotia;
- for continuous, paid, full-time work; and
- for work that is at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued, not seasonal, and in a job that is Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
The other criteria listed above under ‘eligibility requirements’ also apply under Category A. Applicants must obtain 67 points on the Nova Scotia points grid, and prove education level and language ability.