Since this article was first published, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is not currently receiving applications to the Demand: Express Entry Stream. To learn more, see this story.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool have another potential option to secure a provincial nomination certificate, with both categories of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream having opened for new applications as of May 8, 2017. Nova Scotia has proven to be an increasingly popular Canadian immigration destination over recent years.
Soon after opening, however, intake under Category B of the stream (for eligible applicants without a job offer) was paused. Speaking to CICNews, a staff member at the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration said that this was because the online application system was experiencing technical difficulties. Once these issues have been overcome, it is expected that applicants will be able to submit their application.
The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream is part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Through the NSNP, the government of Nova Scotia welcomes new permanent residents who have the ability to settle in the province.
As this is an Express Entry-aligned stream, successful applicants are awarded 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent draw from the pool.
For the current application intake period, the NSNP has announced that it will accept 250 new applications for Category B of the stream. This category is for applicants with experience in one of 16 opportunity occupations. A job offer is not required for this category.
Category A will remain open indefinitely. This category is for applicants with a job offer in Nova Scotia.
Applications under either category are submitted online through the NSNP’s unique online system.
Express Entry candidates who wish to apply to Category B of Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry must:
Occupation | NOC code |
---|---|
Financial Auditors and Accountants | 1111 |
Other financial officers | 1114 |
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations | 1123 |
Administrative assistants | 1241 |
Accounting and related clerks | 1311 |
Civil engineers | 2131 |
Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 |
Computer programmers and interactive media development | 2174 |
Computer network technicians | 2281 |
User support technicians | 2282 |
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 3012 |
Licensed practical nurses | 3233 |
College and other vocational instructors | 4021 |
Paralegal and related occupations | 4211 |
Social and community service workers | 4212 |
Financial sales representatives | 6235 |
Express Entry candidates who wish to apply to Category A of Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry must:
“At this point, there a couple of things we do know, and a couple of things we don’t know. We know the requirements, and we know that Nova Scotia plans on opening this stream for applicants without a job offer intermittently throughout the year,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“However, at this point we don’t know when the online application system may be back up and running, and we don’t know how long it may take before category B reaches its cap for this intake period. Therefore, for eligible potential applicants the most prudent step would be to get prepared for either the current intake, or a future intake, as the case may be. This preparation entails gathering and reviewing all relevant documents and forms.
“And of course, for potential applicants who are not yet in the Express Entry pool, the first step is to determine one’s eligibility and, if eligible, create an Express Entry profile.”
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