Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) allows prospective immigrants with the skills and experience demanded by the labour market of Nova Scotia to receive a Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which quickens the immigration process.
There are three streams under which applicants can apply. The Regional Labour Market Demand Stream does not require applicants to have a job offer, though it does require experience in one of the targeted occupations. The Skilled Worker Stream accepts applications from those who have a job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia. Skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers may be eligible. The Family Business Worker accepts applicants who have received an offer of employment from a close family member who resides in Nova Scotia.
The current allocation allows for a cap of 700 immigrants per year through the NSNP, though the province desires an increase. In total, the immigration programs of Nova Scotia collectively welcome approximately 2,500 new immigrants a year. The Nova Scotia Commission On Building Our New Economy (also known as the Ivany Commission) has proposed that Nova Scotia should aim to acquire approximately 7,000 new permanent residents per year.
Costas Menegakis, the parliamentary secretary to Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, has responded saying that there is an overall plan of how many people will be accepted to Canada per year. The allocations are a responsibility of the federal government, and raising caps for specific provinces takes away from other streams.
Currently, it seems unlikely that the federal government will grant the increase in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation that Nova Scotia desires. These details will be released sometime this fall. However, there are several other PNP across the country: Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia are just a few.
If you are interested in applying to any PNP, FWCanada can assist you in navigating the application process. Fill out a free assessment form at www.canadianimmigration.net/assessment-form.ntn to begin the process.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
