In 2021, Nova Scotia invited almost 9,000 applicants.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) allocations for 2022 have been checked by Nova Scotia. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has expanded the number of provincial nominations to 5,340 and added 1,173 greater underwriting spots to the AIP, an increment of 75% more than 2021. The Immigration Levels Plan is utilized by IRCC to lay out the number of allocations every year.

In 2021, Nova Scotia welcomed 9,025 new permanent residents, a new high that was 19 percent more than the previous peak in 2019. To spur economic growth, the province continues to invest extensively in immigration schemes.

For example, the provincial budget for 2022-23 includes an additional $1 million for marketing activities promoting immigration and population development. Likewise, the territory will burn through $1.4 an additional million on settlement help with towns across the region, as well as $895,000 on extra staff to help migration programs.

Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada.

"We are thrilled that more and more people envision a future for themselves and their families in Nova Scotia," said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills, and Immigration. "Our economic success depends on population increase. We've been preparing for expansion by working with employers, communities, and settlement organizations to make sure Nova Scotia is ready for additional people."

Through the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, the province has also welcomed 500 Ukrainians (CUAET). Participants in CUAET are not included in the total number of newcomers.

Atlantic Immigration Program

In 2017, a pilot program was launched to entice skilled immigrants to reside in one of the four Atlantic Provinces. It was made permanent in January 2022 after proving to be a huge success. Employers in Atlantic Canada are encouraged to apply to the province for official designation, which allows them to skip the Labour Market Impact Assessment if they hire a foreign person (LMIA).

When an employee accepts a job offer from a designated employer, the business is responsible for connecting the employee with a designated settlement service provider. To construct a settlement plan, the provider will undertake a needs assessment for the candidate and any accompanying family members.

Last year, the AIP helped Nova Scotia welcome 1,564 new permanent residents, bringing the province's population to above one million for the first time in history.

Nominee Program in Nova Scotia (NSNP)

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program is separate from the AIP and offers nine different immigration options to potential immigrants.

Streams that are aligned with Express Entry

Priorities of the Nova Scotia Labor Market, Nova Scotia Experience: Only candidates with Express Entry profiles and Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians are eligible to apply (IRCC).

Express Entry is an application management system used by the Immigration and Refugee Commission (IRCC) for economic immigration programs. The Comprehensive Ranking System assigns scores to candidates who match the qualifying criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) (CRS). These scores are compared, and those with the highest scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Stream for Skilled Workers

A job offer from a Nova Scotia business and work experience within their National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill code is required for the Skilled Worker stream.

NOCs 0, A, B, C, and D are all eligible for this stream. Depending on a candidate's NOC, language requirements may differ.

Occupation: In-Demand Stream

A job offer in any of the in-demand occupations on the current list, typically those with NOCs C and D, is required for the Occupation: In-Demand Stream.

International Graduates: In-Demand stream

Candidates must have completed at least a 30-week program in an in-demand occupation, such as early childhood education or working as an orderly. The program must be completed in Nova Scotia for half of the time, and an employment offer from the province is required.

Entrepreneurship stream for international graduates

International graduates who have completed a two-year program at a Nova Scotian postsecondary school and have earned a Post-Graduation Work Permit are eligible to apply for the International Graduate: Entrepreneur stream (PGWP). Competitors should likewise have no less than one year of involvement as an entrepreneur.

Stream for entrepreneurs

Candidates for the Entrepreneur stream must have at least three years of the business ownership experience, a business plan, and a desire to invest $150,000 to buy or start a firm in Nova Scotia.

Atlantic Canada's immigration programs have been a success.

The NSNP, as well as the Atlantic Immigration Program, are substantially responsible for Nova Scotia's population rise. Between 2017 and 2021, nearly 10,000 people landed in Nova Scotia because of the AIP. Approximately 91 percent of immigrants stayed in the province during this time.