Skilled Worker Stream

Application Guide
Nova Scotia Nominee Program

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program

novascotiaimmigration.com
Contents
Part 1: For the applicant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Thank you for choosing Nova Scotia! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Is the Skilled Worker stream right for you? . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What you need to know BEFORE you apply . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
You must apply to 2 levels of government:
provincial and federal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
You are responsible for your application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Know the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
for your job offer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
You may need a licence or certificate for the job
you have been offered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
You may use a representative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Misrepresentations disqualify you for 5 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
There are no guarantees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Criteria may change; streams may close. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Decisions are final; there are no appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
We may withdraw your nomination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
You may withdraw your application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Gather the documents you need. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Documents in languages other than English or French. . . . . . . . 13
Documents related to your job offer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Documents related to your work experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Documents related to your education and training . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Documents related to your ability to communicate
in English or French . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Documents about you and your family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Documents related to your immigration status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Documents related to your move to Nova Scotia. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 2

The application process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Apply to the NSNP under the Skilled Worker stream. . . . . . . . . . 20
1. Go to novascotia.ca/ensnp to submit your application. . . . . 20
2. You will either be nominated or refused. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3. Ask for a Letter of Support for your Temporary Work Permit. . . 21
4. Apply for permanent residence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5. Tell us when you become a permanent resident . . . . . . . . . . 22

Part 2: For employers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Is the Skilled Worker stream right
for the job you are offering? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Does your business qualify for this stream?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Does the job offer qualify for this stream? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
What you need to do BEFORE
you offer a job to a foreign worker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Try to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents
for the job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Support the applicant through the immigration process. . . . . . . 27
Prepare information to include on the NSNP 200 form. . . . . . . . 28
Gather the documents you need. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Part 3: For the applicant AND the employer. . . . . . . . . . . 30

Document checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Questions? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 3

Part 1: For the applicant
Thank you for choosing Nova Scotia!

Read this guide carefully to find out how you can apply to the Nova Scotia
Nominee Program (NSNP) through the Skilled Worker stream. If you are
accepted through this stream, you may apply to the federal government for
a permanent resident visa.
The Skilled Worker stream helps employers to hire and retain workers
whose skills our province needs. Some Nova Scotia employers have had
trouble filling positions because they could not find a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident to do the job.
Important! You must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova
Scotia employer BEFORE you can apply to immigrate through the NSNP
Skilled Worker stream. Full-time means that you will work year-round for a
minimum of 30 hours a week. Permanent means your job does NOT have
an end date.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 4

Is the Skilled Worker stream
right for you?

The Skilled Worker stream is only for people who have a permanent, full-
time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. Read the following 2 columns
carefully to see if the Skilled Worker stream is right for you.

The Skilled Worker stream MAY The Skilled Worker stream is NOT
be right for you right for you

The Skilled Worker Stream may be Do NOT apply to the Skilled Worker
right for you IF you meet ALL of the Stream if even ONE of the statements
criteria listed below. below applies to you.

• You have been offered a full-time • You are currently living in a country
job. Full-time means you will work a in which you are NOT legally allowed
minimum of 30 hours a week all year to live.
round. • You have received a nomination
• Your offer is for a permanent job. or endorsement (NSNP or Atlantic
Permanent means that your job has Immigration Pilot) within the last
no end date. 12 months.
• The job you have been offered is • You are in Canada as part of the
located in Nova Scotia1. Live-In Caregiver Program.
• You intend to live in Nova Scotia. • You have applied to immigrate
• Your employer is a Nova Scotia to Canada on compassionate or
employer. That means humanitarian grounds or to claim
refugee status.
- If the employer is a commercial
business, it must be registered • You have applied for refugee status
with the Nova Scotia Registry in Canada and been refused.
of Joint Stock Companies AND • You have received a removal order
show that it has a permanent from IRCC or the Canada Border
establishment in Nova Scotia as Services Agency (CBSA)
defined in Canada’s Income Tax • You are currently studying at a
Act. Canadian post-secondary institution.
- If the employer is a not-for-profit • You received a scholarship or award
organization, it must be registered that requires you to return to your
under the Societies Act. home country upon graduation and
- The employer must have operated you have not yet done so.
in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years.

1 For Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 7511) whose work includes driving outside of the province, a job based in
Nova Scotia means that the employer has physical premises (non-residential) in Nova Scotia where at least
three staff work, trucks park and Transport Truck Drivers begin and/or end routes.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 5

 The Skilled Worker stream MAY The Skilled Worker stream is NOT
be right for you right for you

The Skilled Worker Stream may be Do NOT apply to the Skilled Worker
right for you IF you meet ALL of the Stream if even ONE of the statements
criteria listed below. below applies to you.

• You will be paid a sufficient wage or • You have a federal post-graduation

salary for your job. See Documents work permit and work in a job that
related to your move to Nova Scotia. falls under NOC skill level D.
• You are between the ages of 21 and • You are self-employed.
55. • You plan to start a business or to
• You have a high school diploma. become self-employed.
• You have proof of your immigration • You are a majority shareholder in a
status in the country where you are Nova Scotia business.
currently living. • You are a passive investor. That is,
• You have worked 12 complete you plan to invest in a Nova Scotia
calendar months within the business but will have little to no
last 5 years and a minimum of involvement in business operations.
1,560 hours. This work must be • You have been offered a sales job
related to the job you are being for which you will ONLY be paid
offered AND it must be paid work. commission. Commission means
It cannot include volunteer work or you are paid a percentage of the
unpaid internships. value of the item you sell or the profit
• If your job offer falls under NOC your employer makes from that item.
skill level C or D, you have 6 months’ • Your job contravenes NSOI policies
paid work experience with the Nova related to:
Scotia employer who is offering you
- On-site Home-based Businesses
the job.
- Service Home-based Businesses
- Businesses with a Telework
Arrangement

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 6

What you need to know BEFORE
you apply

You must apply to 2 levels of government: provincial

and federal

Level 1: Nova Scotia (provincial)

First you apply to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Skilled
Worker stream. If you are nominated for this stream, we will email you
a nomination certificate. At the same time, we will send proof of your
nomination to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Costs
There is no application fee for the NSNP, but there may be costs related to
your application. For example,
• translation costs if your required documents are in neither English
nor French
• fees charged by a representative should you choose to hire one
• fees for English or French language testing if this is required

Level 2: Canada (federal)

Next, if you are nominated by the Province of Nova Scotia, apply to IRCC for
your permanent resident visa within 6 months of receiving your nomination
certificate. You may submit applications for yourself and include your
spouse and dependents in the application.

Costs
There is a fee to apply for a permanent resident visa. For current fees, see
the fee list on the IRCC website.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 7

You are responsible for your application
It is up to you to provide ALL of the documents we require including those
that you get from your employer, your spouse or common-law partner, and
your dependents. You must also ensure that all documents are valid when
you submit your application for this stream AND when you apply for a
permanent resident visa. If you are missing documents or any document is
invalid, we will refuse your application.
Important! You must tell us if your status changes at any time before you
receive a permanent resident visa. These are just a few examples of a
change in status:
• a change in marital status for example, you got married or divorced
• you no longer have a job offer
• you changed employers
• If your employer has indicated an immediate labour need and
requested a letter of support for a work permit, you are expected to
apply to IRCC for a work permit as soon as possible and travel to
Canada as soon as possible if the work permit is issued. If you do
not intend to do so or if your intention changes before you receive a
permanent resident visa, you must tell us.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 8

Know the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
for your job offer
The NOC has 5 levels:
0 – management jobs
A – professional jobs that usually require a university degree
B – technical jobs and skilled trades. These usually require a college
diploma or training as an apprentice
C – intermediate jobs that usually require a high school diploma or job
specific training or both
D – labour jobs that require no education or previous training
Find out more about NOC skill levels on the National Occupational
Classification website.
The NOC is important for 3 reasons:
• It helps you to determine the level of English or French language
ability you will need.
• It helps us to determine if your qualifications and experience match
the requirements of the job.
• It helps us to determine whether the wage you are being offered is
within Nova Scotia’s wage range for that job.

You may need a licence or certificate for the job you

have been offered
Before you apply to the Skilled Worker stream, find out if you need a licence
or certificate to do the job you have been offered. Your employer can help
you with this.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 9

You may use a representative
There are 2 kinds of representatives: paid and unpaid. Both can help you to
complete and submit your application. When you appoint a representative,
you do 2 things:
• You authorize us to share information about your application with
them.
• You authorize them to act on your behalf.

Unpaid representatives
As the name suggests, unpaid representatives do NOT charge for their
services. Your representative could be a family member, a friend, or
someone else.

Paid representatives
Paid representatives charge a fee for their services. If you are using a
paid immigration representative, they must be authorized. Authorized
representatives must be one of the following:
• An immigration consultant who is a member in good standing with
the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
Visit the ICCRC website.
• A lawyer or paralegal who is a member in good standing of a
Canadian law society, barristers’ society, or barreau, or a law
student under the supervision of a recognized lawyer. Visit the
Federation of Law Societies of Canada website for links to law
societies across Canada.
• A notary public who is a member in good standing of the Chambre
des notaires du Québec or a law student under their supervision.
Visit the Chambre website.
You don’t need to use a representative to prepare and submit an
application. If you choose to use a representative—paid or unpaid—they
must complete an NSNP 50 – Use of a Representative form. You must
submit this form with your application.
Warning! We strongly recommend that if you choose to hire a
representative, you choose one from the categories listed above. We do
NOT deal with unauthorized representatives. Also, if your representative is
NOT authorized, you may not have the ability to hold them accountable if
they make an error or give you bad advice.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 10

Misrepresentations disqualify you for 5 years
What is misrepresentation? Misrepresentation happens when you or
someone else involved in your application does one of these things:
• is not truthful about one or more of the eligibility criteria
• leaves out information we need to assess your application
The people involved in your application include yourself, your employer,
your spouse, and your dependents, or an immigration representative if you
decide to use one.
Important! If you are refused for misrepresentation, you will NOT be allowed
to apply to any immigration stream for 5 years.

There are no guarantees

Submitting an application and meeting the eligibility requirements for
the Skilled Worker stream do NOT guarantee that your application will be
processed and assessed.
Even if you are successful and receive a nomination certificate, we cannot
guarantee that you will receive a work permit or permanent resident visa.
IRCC has its own application process. They are the only ones who can
issue these documents. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI)
does not issue work permits or permanent resident visas.

Responsibilities of NSOI Responsibilities of IRCC

• assess nominee • assess work permits
applications (if applicable)
• issue letters of support • assess permanent resident
for work permits applications
(if applicable) • issue permits and visas
• issue nomination
certificates
Important! NSOI-issued letters of support or nomination certificates do NOT
guarantee approval by IRCC.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 11

Criteria may change; streams may close
We may stop accepting applications for a period of time. We call this
“closing” or “suspending” the stream. If we close or suspend the Skilled
Worker stream before we review your application, we may not consider it
even if you submitted it before we closed the stream.
There may be a delay between the time we receive your application and
when we can process it. During that time, criteria may change. We will
assess your application based on the criteria in place at that time. Check
our immigration website regularly to stay up-to-date with all changes.

Decisions are final; there are no appeals

If we decide to refuse your application for the NSNP Skilled Worker stream,
our decision is final. There is no appeal process.

We may withdraw your nomination

We may withdraw your nomination at any time before you receive a
permanent resident visa and before you arrive in Canada for any of these
reasons:
• You no longer meet the eligibility requirements of the Skilled Worker
stream.
• The Government of Canada has advised us that some information
in your application for permanent residency is false.
• IRCC finds that you, your spouse, or a dependent is not allowed to
immigrate to Canada.

You may withdraw your application

You may withdraw your application without penalty at any time before
you receive a nomination certificate. There is one exception. You may
NOT withdraw your application without penalty if we know or suspect that
you have NOT been truthful or have left out important information in your
application.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 12

Gather the documents you need

You will need a number of documents to complete your application. You

will have to complete some of these documents yourself. Some will have to
be completed by your employer. You will also have to get documents from
third parties such as educational institutions and governments. Begin to
gather these documents as soon as you know that you will apply for the
Skilled Worker stream. It may take some time to gather all the documents
you need.
Important!
• All documents must be PDF files.
• Documents with images must be scanned in colour.
• Text-only documents may be scanned in black and white.
• The total size of all documents must be no more than 50 megabytes
(MB).
• Each file name must be no more than 50 characters.
• All documents must be clear enough to read.
• Scanner resolution must be 300 dots per inch (dpi).
Warning! We may close your application if documents are missing,
unsigned, unclear, or have been enhanced or edited.

Documents in languages other than English or French

Documents in languages other than English or French must be translated
by a certified translator.
• Submit a copy of the original document AND a copy of the certified
translation.
• Submit proof from the translator of their certification.
Warning! These people are NOT allowed to translate your documents:
• members of your family
• anyone who works for the paid representative you have hired to
help you with your application
If your documents are NOT translated by a certified translator, we may NOT
accept your application.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 13

Documents related to your job offer
• NSNP 200—Your employer must complete and sign this form. It
proves that they have offered you a permanent, full-time job.
• NSNP 200 supporting documents.
While your employer must complete and sign the NSNP 200 form, you
must submit it and all supporting documents as part of your application.

Documents related to your work experience

To prove that you have the work experience and skills needed for the job,
you must include letters of reference from your employers. These letters
must be written on company letterhead and they must be stamped with the
company’s official seal if it has one.
Letters of reference must also include ALL of the following:
• the company’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, email and
website addresses
• your supervisor’s signature or that of a responsible officer
• the specific period of time that you worked for the company
• the titles of the jobs you held while you worked for the company
• the amount of time you worked in each job
• your main duties in each job
• your annual salary plus benefits for each job
• the number of hours you worked per week in each job
• the number of hours you worked in total in each job
Send the above list to each employer you ask for a reference letter. This will
help to ensure that they include all the information we need.

Documents related to your education and training

• a copy of your high-school diploma
• copies of the licences or certificates required for the job you have
been offered, if needed

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 14

Documents related to your ability to communicate in
English or French

NOC 0, A, and B
If your first language is NOT English or French, you must provide evidence
that you meet one of the following:
• the criteria listed under Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
Level 5 or higher
• the criteria listed under Niveaux de compétence linguistique
canadiens (NCLC) Level 5 or higher

We will consider these documents:

• educational transcripts or other documents that show English or
French was the main language of instruction or communication
• employment history and references that show English or French as
the main language of communication
• the results of one of these language tests:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General
Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
(CELPIP) General
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada

This table shows the scores you need in each language test to meet the
CLB/NCLC 5 standard.

Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking

IELTS 5 4 5 5

CELPIP 5 5 5 5

TEF 181 151 226 226

TCF 369 375 6 6

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 15

NOC C and D
You must submit the results of one of these language tests even if your
first language is English or French:
• IELTS General Training
• CELPIP-General
• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada
Your test results must show that you meet at least the CLB level 4 criteria
for either the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) OR Niveaux de
compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
This table shows the scores you need in each language test to meet the
CLB/NCLC 4 standard.

Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking

IELTS 4.5 3.5 4 4

CELPIP 4 4 4 4

TEF 145 121 181 181

TCF 331 342 4 4

Warning! You must have had your language skills tested within 2 years of
applying to the Skilled Worker stream. We do NOT accept test results dated
more than 2 years before the date on your application.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 16

Documents about you and your family

Passports
You, and everyone immigrating with you, must have a valid passport. The
expiry date of all passports should be at least 2 years from the date of your
application. Do NOT include the original passports in your application.
Instead, include copies of pages that show these things:
• the passport number
• the date of issue and expiry
• the photo of the passport holder
• the name of the passport holder as well as their date and place of
birth
• any changes to the passport holder’s name, date of birth, or other
identifying information
• any changes to the passport’s expiry date
• any visas or visits to Canada

Documents related to your spouse and children if they are

immigrating with you
Include the documents that apply to you:
• a copy of your marriage certificate
• copies of birth certificates for dependent children
• copies of custody documents and permission for the child to come
to Canada
• copies of adoption papers

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 17

Documents related to your immigration status
Include the documents that apply to you:
• If you currently live in Canada, include a copy of proof of your legal
status in Canada. Ensure that your proof is valid when you submit
your application.
• If you currently live in a country of which you are NOT a citizen,
include a copy of proof of your legal status in that country.
• If you have applied to immigrate to Canada before, include copies
of every letter you have received from the Canadian government or
any provincial or territorial government regarding each application.

Documents related to your move to Nova Scotia

You may provide one or both of the following:
• banking statements from the past 3 months showing all account
balances and transaction history
• statements from your investment portfolio showing fixed deposits
and the terms for withdrawing funds before the investment matures
This may include transferable funds in your name or your spouse’s name.
Important! Do NOT include real estate or personal items such as jewelry,
furniture, and vehicles.

Why do I need to include banking and investment information?

We need to know that you have enough money to pay for these things:
• your immigration costs
• your travel expenses
• the costs related to settling in Nova Scotia such as having enough
money for food, rent, clothing, etc.
You can find the requirements regarding the settlement funds for your
family size, and the form in which funds will be accepted on IRCC’s
website.
Note: The above link mentions Express Entry. If you are submitting a
Skilled Worker application, you will NOT apply through the Express Entry
system. This link is only for information about the required settlement
funds.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 18

These requirements may be reduced if you are already living in Nova Scotia
or have arranged employment. In all cases, you must provide proof of your
financial resources in your own name. The reduction will be assessed by
an officer on a case-by-case basis.
We will NOT approve your application if it appears likely that your family
income will be below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). We
calculate the LICO requirement based on your family size whether they
are coming to Canada with you or not. Your family income includes these
things:
• the income you will earn from your job offer
• your spouse’s income if they have a permanent job offer in Nova
Scotia
To find out if your income will be above or below LICO, compare your family
income to the minimum incomes listed in Table 1 of the Federal Income
Scale.
Note: While the above link refers to specific IRCC program requirements,
the only information that applies to you as a Skilled Worker applicant is
under the heading Federal Income Scale.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 19

The application process

Apply to the NSNP under the Skilled Worker stream

1. Go to novascotia.ca/ensnp to submit your application.

You must complete the eNSNP 100 form online and ensure that you
include all the documents we need. On the form you must show your
intention to settle in Nova Scotia. Be sure to write in detail
• why you chose to settle in Nova Scotia permanently
• what Nova Scotia can offer you
• what Nova Scotia can offer your family if you have one

• if you currently live in another Canadian province, explain why

you would leave this province and come to Nova Scotia

These are some details you may want to include:

• where you plan to live
• how you will meet your daily needs
• where you will work, including details about your job
• where you will send your children, if any, to school or daycare
• what your plans are for improving your English or French
• how you plan to become part of the community to which you are
moving
Important! You must write all this information in your own words. Do
NOT copy information from other sources.

2. You will either be nominated or refused

If you are nominated
If you meet the Skilled Worker stream criteria, we will email a
nomination certificate to you or your representative. The certificate
expires 6 months after the date of nomination. We will also send proof
of your nomination directly to IRCC. You need to apply for this visa
within 6 months of receiving your nomination certificate.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 20

 If we decide to refuse your application
We will refuse your application if you do NOT meet the criteria for the
Skilled Worker stream. We will NOT refuse you right away. Instead, we
will email you or your representative a letter explaining our concerns or
requesting further information. You have 10 business days to submit
new information for us to consider. After 10 business days we will
re-assess your application, including the new information. We will then
make our final decision and email it to you or your representative.
We may extend this 10-day time limit in rare circumstances if you
request it. For example, we may extend it if you were in hospital or had
a death in the family.

If we refuse your application

We will notify you or your representative by email. This decision is final.
There is no appeal process.

We may extend your nomination

You can ask us to extend your nomination period beyond 6 months.
This will give you more time to apply to IRCC for your permanent
resident visa. You must provide evidence as to why you need the
extension and include any supporting documents we ask for.
We allow you only one such extension. This extension will expire
6 months after the original expiry date. We do NOT grant extensions
after one year from the original nomination date. After one year, you will
have to re-apply to the program.

3. Ask for a Letter of Support for your Temporary Work Permit

After you have been nominated by the Province of Nova Scotia, you can
request a Letter of Support from our office (NSOI) if your work permit is
expiring within the next several months. You can use this letter to apply
for a temporary work permit or to renew your existing work permit with
IRCC. A work permit lets you work in Nova Scotia while IRCC processes
your application for a permanent resident visa.

4. Apply for permanent residence

Within 6 months of your nomination certificate having been issued,
submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa to IRCC.
We will send you more information about this with your nomination
certificate.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 21

5. Tell us when you become a permanent resident
Contact us within 30 days of your arrival in Nova Scotia. Send us these
documents:
• a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• a copy of your passport
• your Nova Scotia contact information including
• your current address
• your phone number
• your email address
Important! You must tell us if your status changes at any time before
you receive a permanent resident visa. These are just a few examples
of a change in status:
• a change in marital status for example, you got married or divorced
• you no longer have a job offer
• you changed employers
Contact us by email at [email protected] or email or phone
your assessing officer. Be sure to include your case number if you have
one.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 22

Part 2: For employers
Warning! We may refuse your prospective employee’s application if you do
NOT meet our requirements.

Is the Skilled Worker stream right

for the job you are offering?

The Skilled Worker stream is for applicants who have a permanent, full-
time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
Important!
Full-time means your employee will work year round for a minimum of
30 hours per week.
Permanent means the employment has no pre-determined end date.
Nova Scotia employer means an employer that meets these criteria:
• If the employer is a commercial business, it must be registered
with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies AND show
that it has a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia as defined in
Canada’s Income Tax Act.
• If the employer is a not-for-profit organization, it must be registered
under the Societies Act.
• The employer must have operated in Nova Scotia for at least 2
years.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 23

Does your business qualify for this stream?
In addition to the criteria listed above for a Nova Scotia employer, you must
meet the following criteria as an employer:
• You must have a history of good workplace and business practices
and must be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
• You must be in good standing with provincial occupational health
and safety and labour authorities.
• You may need to get an Employer Registration Certificate from the
Director of Labour Standards in order to recruit and hire foreign
workers for employment in Nova Scotia.
• You must NOT be in violation of the Immigration and Refugee
Protection Act or Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• You must NOT deduct the costs of bringing a foreign worker to
Canada from their wages or salaries.
• If you are an employment agency or placement firm, you may NOT
act as an employer unless you are hiring the applicant as a full-time
permanent employee in your agency or firm.

Does the job offer qualify for this stream?

To qualify for the Skilled Worker stream the job offer must meet these
criteria:
• The job must be with a Nova Scotia employer AND be located in
Nova Scotia.
• The job must be permanent. That means there is no pre-determined
end date.
• The job must be full-time. That means the employee will work a
minimum of 30 hours per week.
• The employee must be paid a salary that meets provincial
employment standards and the provincial wage range for the
specific occupation.
• There must be a shortage of qualified permanent residents or
Canadian citizens to fill the position.
• Hiring the applicant must NOT contravene any existing bargaining
unit agreements, labour agreements or standards, nor can it be part
of any employment disputes.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 24

 • Hiring the applicant must not contravene NSOI policies related to:
- On-site Home-based Businesses
- Service Home-based Businesses
- Business with a Telework Arrangement

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 25

What you need to do BEFORE
you offer a job to a foreign worker

Try to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents

for the job
You must show that, BEFORE you offered the job to the applicant, you tried
to recruit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. We will accept these
documents as proof:
• a copy of the positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
you received from Employment and Social Development Canada
(Service Canada) for this job. Your prospective employee must be
named in this document AND the expiry date must be on or after
the date that they submit their application to us (NSOI).
OR
• proof that the worker is on an open work permit and legally entitled
to work in Canada for example with a Post-Graduation Work Permit
or the position offered is LMIA exempt.
OR
• 3 advertisements and related information that meet the conditions
described below.
We may ask for additional information.

Advertisements

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 26

If you do NOT have a current positive LMIA, or proof that the worker or the
position is NOT LMIA exempt, you must show that you advertised for the
position. Advertisements must meet these criteria:
• They must be in English or French and include these things:
- your company’s operating name, telephone and fax numbers,
email and mailing addresses
- job title
- duties
- skill requirements
- location of work (city or town)
• They must appear in 3 different publications. You must show that
each publication targets a Canadian audience with the education,
experience, language ability, and skill level needed for the job.
• They must have been published in the 6 months BEFORE the date
you offered the job to the applicant.
• They must be publicly available for at least 4 weeks in a row.
• At least one of the advertisements must be in a Canada-wide
recruitment tool that has a track record of finding workers for the
job such as Job Bank.
• You must demonstrate that your recruitment did not result in any
qualified candidates who are Canadian citizens or permanent
residents. You must not make a job offer to a foreign national until
all Canadian candidates have been vetted through the recruitment
process.

Support the applicant through the immigration process

You may want to think about doing some of these things:
• Help to pay the immigration fees.
• Help your prospective employee to find housing.
• Refer your prospective employee to settlement services agencies
and language classes.

Help your employee to succeed in their job

• Continue to offer the settlement supports described above.
• Offer bonuses or incentives.
• Offer career training, benefits packages, and advancement
opportunities.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 27

Prepare information to include on the NSNP 200 form
You will need to include the following information on the NSNP 200 form
that you will give to your prospective employee as part of their immigration
application:
• a detailed job description. This includes the roles, responsibilities,
qualifications, education, and experience needed for the job.
• detailed conditions of employment including supporting
documents. These are some of the things you must include; we
may ask for others:
- wages, this includes wages paid during a probationary period.
Include the length of the probationary period.
- overtime pay
- vacation time and vacation pay
- holiday pay
- hours of work
- location of employment
- benefits, including accommodation if applicable

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 28

Gather the documents you need

❏ NSNP 200 form. The authorized signing officer of the company

making the job offer should complete and sign this form.
AND
❏ A signed copy of the accepted job offer
AND
❏ a copy of your Employer Registration Certificate if you need one
AND
❏ a copy of the LMIA in which the applicant is named. The expiry
date must be on or after the date that the applicant submits their
application to us (NSOI).
OR
❏ proof that the worker or the position offered is LMIA exempt
OR
❏ copies of the advertisements described above

Give your prospective employee PDF copies of all these documents to

include as part of their application.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 29

Part 3: For the applicant AND
the employer
Document checklist

Check your documents against the list below. Be sure that you have all
the documents we have requested in this guide. We may ask you for more
information if we need it.

Forms, Criteria, and Supporting Documents Who must provide

the document

NSNP FORMS

❏ eNSNP 100 – Online application at Applicant

novascotia.ca/ensnp
Any dependents
❏ NSNP 200 and supporting documents. 19 and older
See Prepare information to include on the
NSNP 200 form and Gather the documents you
need in Part 2 of this guide.
❏ NSNP 50 – Use of a Representative (optional.
Use only if a representative has helped you to
complete and submit your application).
See You may use a representative .
❏ NSNP 60 – Authority to Release Personal
Information (optional. Use only if you want
us to send your application information
to someone other than yourself or your
representative).
The person you choose will have access to
information about your application but they
will NOT be able to act on your behalf.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 30

 Forms, Criteria, and Supporting Documents Who must provide
the document

Work Experience

❏ Letters of reference from employers. See Applicant

Documents related to your work experience.

Education

❏ Copies of all certificates, diplomas, and Applicant

degrees
❏ Proof of your licence or certification. See
Documents related to your education and
training.

Language

❏ Evidence of English or French language ability. Applicant

See Documents related to your ability to
communicate in English or French.

Immigration status

❏ Copies of passport pages as described under Applicant

Passports in this guide.
Spouse or
❏ A copy of proof of legal status for the country common-law partner
where you are currently living, including
Canada. See Documents related to your Dependents
immigration status.
❏ Letters from previous attempts to immigrate
to Canada. See Documents related to your
immigration status.

Accompanying family members (if applicable)

Copies of these documents: Applicant

❏ Birth certificates for dependent children Spouse or
❏ Marriage certificate common-law partner

❏ Custody documents and permission for the

child to come to Canada
❏ Adoption papers

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 31

 Forms, Criteria, and Supporting Documents Who must provide
the document

Settlement Funds

You may provide one or both of the following: Applicant

❏ Official banking statements from a financial Spouse or
institution for the past 3 months. See common-law partner
Documents related to your move to Nova
Scotia.
❏ Statements for investment portfolio and fixed
deposits and the terms and conditions for
withdrawing these funds prior to maturity.
See Documents related to your move to Nova
Scotia.

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 32

Questions?

Call (902) 424-5230 or toll free in Nova Scotia 1-877-292-9597

Email [email protected]
Fax (902) 424-7936
Write to Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
PO Box 1535
Halifax NS B3J 2Y3
CANADA
Visit online novascotiaimmigration.ca
Visit in person Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
1469 Brenton Street
3rd Floor
Halifax NS
CANADA
Find Nova Scotia Immigration on the following social media websites:

Skilled Worker Stream • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (January 2021) 33