Nova Scotia Express Entry category reopens for new applications

Nova Scotia briefly reopened one of its most popular Express Entry-linked immigration categories for up to 225 new applicants on November 17.

Known as Category B of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream, it is one of four immigration pathways that allow the Atlantic Canada province to nominate candidates in the federal government's Express Entry system for Canadian permanent residence.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for Canada's three federal high skilled economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Category B is popular with Express Entry candidates because it does not require a job offer or Canadian work experience in order to apply. It also does not require a minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score, which is used to determine a candidate's rank in the Express Entry pool.

With the 600 CRS points that come with a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia, an approved application under Category B effectively guarantees Express Entry candidates an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence regardless of their original ranking score.

Express Entry candidates must have work experience in one of Nova Scotia's 11 opportunity occupations, among other criteria, in order to be eligible for this immigration category.

The November 17 opening was typical of the competitive intake process for Category B, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This means Nova Scotia accepts applications in the order they are submitted until the intake quota is met, which usually occurs within a matter of hours.

The November 17 intake period was no exception to this rule, lasting less than two hours. This was on par with previous intakes for Category B, the most recent of which occurred on April 28, 2018, for 350 applications and also ended just hours after it opened.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a free assessment.

Nova Scotia's Express Entry options

Nova Scotia uses a variety of approaches when it comes to identifying and inviting eligible Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

While Category B uses a first-come, first-served approach to applications, Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream allows the Nova Scotia Nominee Program to search the Express Entry pool and invite eligible candidates with work experience in targeted occupations.

The Labour Market Priorities Stream was unveiled August 2 and issued its first and only invitations to date on August 8 to Express Entry candidates with work experience as early childhood educators and assistants.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program says the occupations targeted through its Labour Market Priorities Stream reflect current labour market needs and could change as those needs evolve.

Nova Scotia's other Express Entry options are Category A of the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream and the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream.

Unlike Category B, Category A remains open year-round to applications from Express Entry candidates with an eligible full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.

The Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream is also open year-round and welcomes applications from Express Entry candidates with at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a high-skilled occupation.

To be considered under any of Nova Scotia's Express Entry-linked streams, the first required step is to create a profile in the Express Entry system.

To find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, fill out a free assessment today.