Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal immigration program that helps employers recruit skilled foreign workers and international graduates to meet labour needs.
This new employer-driven program builds on the success of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, which closed in 2021. Participants in the pilot program must reapply to use the permanent program.
ELIGIBILITY
To participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program, employers must first be approved by being designated and then have their positions endorsed by the Province.
Once the employer’s positions are endorsed, foreign worker(s) identified by the employer can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residency. The foreign worker can also get a temporary work permit while waiting for permanent residency.
HOW TO APPLY
- Review the guides and resources listed below
- Complete the online application form and include all required information
Applications for designation and endorsement must be submitted using the online system. Sample application forms below are not an accepted form of submission.
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream selects candidates in the federal Express Entry system who meet provincial labour market needs to apply for nomination. Only candidates who receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration may apply.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply you must:
- receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system;
- submit your application within 30 calendar days of the date on which your letter of interest was issued;
- meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which you have qualified;
- demonstrate sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia and to pay your immigration costs and travel expenses;
- have legal status in your current country of residence;
- meet eligibility criteria in place at the time you are issued a Letter of Interest; and
- have a valid Express Entry number and meet all IRCC criteria for the Express Entry pool.
CRITERIA FOR THE FEBRUARY 8, 2022, DRAW FOR NURSES ARE AS FOLLOWS. CANDIDATES MUST:
- Have a primary occupation of registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012)
- Provide letters of reference from employers, as outlined in the application guide, to demonstrate that they have 3 years of experience as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse.
- Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 9 or higher in English or French in all language abilities as demonstrated by providing results from a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.*
- Hold a bachelor’s degree OR have completed a program of three or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute.*
- Apply no later than 11:59 p.m. March 10, 2022.
* You must include copies of language tests and proof of education to meet a bachelor’s degree or higher with your application. Proof of education must include an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada if your educational credential was obtained outside of Canada.
Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker stream helps employers recruit foreign workers and recently graduated international students whose skills are needed in Nova Scotia. An employer can only hire foreign workers for positions they have been unable to fill with permanent residents or Canadian citizens.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply you must:
- have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
- have 1 year of work experience related to the job. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must already have six months’ experience with the employer.);
- be 21 to 55 years old;
- have a high school diploma;
- have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
- prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if you are a skilled worker. If your first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have test results to prove they meet CLB 4 even if their first language is English or French;
- show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.
