Occupations In Demand

Presently, the only occupations eligible for this program are NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), and NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers).

Nova Scotia has announced that this stream will be run as a three-year pilot program, during which the eligible occupations will change. Targeted professions will change based on the province’s labour needs.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 55 to apply.

Language Proficiency & Education

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand stream, applicants must have completed a minimum level of education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. As well, they must have language test results demonstrating proficiency in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4).

Job Offer

Candidates must have a valid offer of employment from a Nova Scotia employer for a position in NOC 3413 (nurses aides, orderlies and patient service associates), NOC 7511 (transport truck drivers), NOC 7521 (Heavy equipment operators (except crane)), or NOC 7611 (Construction trades helpers and labourers). The offer must for a permanent, full-time position.

To be considered a valid offer of employment, the employer must demonstrate that sufficient efforts were made to recruit a Canadian for the position. This can be shown by obtaining an LMIA, and LMIA-exemption, or through showing that the position was posted on three Canadian job boards for at least four consecutive weeks.

Work Experience

Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of work experience related to the position.

Application Procedure

Applications for the Nova Scotia Occupations In Demand category are accepted at all times, provided that an applicant meets program requirements. Applicants may apply using the online portal on the Nova Scotia immigration website. Successful applicants will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from Nova Scotia.

Once an applicant has been nominated, they will be issued a Letter of Support, allowing them to apply for a temporary work permit so they can travel to Nova Scotia to begin work.

After receiving a provincial nomination an applicant has six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants in this program must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.