Physician Stream

Physicians who are successful through this program will be able to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. This stream is ideal for physicians who have secured a valid job offer from one of the eligible health sector employers in Nova Scotia.

Program Requirements

Job Offer

In order to be considered eligible, a foreign national must have a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre. This job offer must be for a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 3111 (specialist physician) or 3112 (general practitioner or family physician).  

Language Proficiency & Level of Education

While there is no minimum language proficiency, level of education, or work experience for this stream, the hiring process for both the NSHA and IWK Health Centre include extensive review of prospective employees’ educational/medical credentials, language proficiency, and eligibility for licensing in Nova Scotia. Normally, immigration applications require the same sort of proof of education, language, and licensing. Through the Physician Stream, the same assessments obtained by the Nova Scotia employer will be used in the immigration application, making the application process easier for the foreign national.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Physician Stream are accepted at all times, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be completed and submit directly to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program by email. Successful applicants through this program will receive an provincial nomination from the province of Nova Scotia. This enables applicants to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence to the federal government. Applicants must submit a paper-based application in hard copy to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months of receiving the official provincial nomination.

Applicants who have received a provincial nomination through the Physician Stream will be issued a work permit support letter from the province of Nova Scotia. This letter may be used in an application for a temporary work permit which will enable the applicant to work in Nova Scotia while the PR application is processing. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

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