Nova Scotia invited immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on September 24.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) released the draw’s eligibility criteria for Express Entry candidates. A spokesperson with the province said 47 invitations were issued.

Candidates needed to have a primary occupation in one of the following two National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:  motor vehicle body repairs (NOC 7322) or automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (NOC 7321). Of the invitations issued, six went to body repairers, and 41 went to service technicians.

Invited candidates also need to demonstrate that they have two or more years of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience, in these occupations within the five years preceding the application.

They also needed a Canadian Language Benchmark of at least five in all English language abilities. They must include copies of language tests and proof of education with their application for the provincial nomination. Proof of education must include an Educational Credential Assessment report issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada if your educational credential was obtained outside of Canada.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

In addition, candidates also must have completed a program of two or more years at a post-secondary institution, such as a university, college or trade school.

Invited candidates have until October 24 to send in their application for the provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream invites immigration candidates based on the needs of the province’s labour market. This is the first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw out of Nova Scotia since May, when the province invited nurses who had profiles in the Express Entry pool.

Express Entry candidates invited

In order to be considered for a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia through the Labour Market Priorities Stream, candidates first need to have a profile in the Express Entry system.

Express Entry manages applications for Canadian permanent residence through three federal immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Express Entry candidates are ranked on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). They are awarded points based on factors such as their age, work experience, education, and language ability in English or French.

Now that Nova Scotia has issued invitations, also known as Letters of Interest, invited candidates now have 60 calendar days to complete their application for a provincial nomination.

If they receive the provincial nomination from Nova Scotia, they will automatically be awarded an additional 600 CRS points, which will effectively guarantee that they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

© 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved