Nova Scotia’s Express Entry Stream to Reopen for More Applications

The government of Nova Scotia has announced that it will accept up to 300 more applications through the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry immigration stream, starting at 9 a.m. local time (8 a.m. EST) on Wednesday, October 11. These applications will be accepted under Category B of the stream. A job offer is not required, but eligible Express Entry candidates must have work experience in an eligible occupation.

(Update: Since this article was first published, this stream closed for new applications the afternoon of October 11.)

Through this stream, eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool may apply for a provincial nomination through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Since this is an enhanced Express Entry-aligned 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.

Category B of Nova Scotia's Express Entry aligned stream has proven to be popular, with the intake often reaching its limit quickly, sometimes within a day. Therefore, it is important for candidates who are interested in applying to be prepared by reviewing eligibility across all criteria and ensuring all documentation is gathered and up-to-date. This stream may reopen again at some stage in the future, benefiting potential applicants in the pool who prepare in advance.

The Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream is one of the few economic immigration streams in Canada that function on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible Express Entry candidates with work experience in one of the following ‘opportunity’ occupations may submit an application.

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

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.

A wide-ranging occupations list

"Nova Scotia is opening its doors to a diverse range of Express Entry candidates, but being proactive and prepared is key," says Attorney David Cohen.

"The province has given a bit of advanced notice that the category is reopening, so there may be time for eligible candidates to get ready. However, it may be noted that even if you don't manage to submit an application on this occasion, there may be another opportunity down the line."

Nova Scotia is one of four Atlantic provinces located on the east coast of the country. It is known as one of the ‘Maritime’ provinces, due to its historic and geographic relationship with the ocean. As the targeted opportunity occupations list hints at, Nova Scotia has a range of opportunities available for newcomers who would like to settle in Canada with their families.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, the first step to immigrating to Canada through Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment today.

If you have a valid Express Entry profile and work experience in an opportunity occupation listed above or a job offer in Nova Scotia, please contact us if you want to discuss your immigration options under the NSNP.

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