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The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream is a PNP stream for Express Entry candidates. Throughout the year, Nova Scotia will select candidates from the Express Entry pool based on labour market needs for the province. Sometimes this means that certain occupations are prioritized, sometimes it means that French-speakers are prioritized. The rules are determined for each invitation round and not announced in advance.
Successful applicants obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, effectively guaranteeing them an invitation to apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Latest Draw Criteria & Results
Here’s the most recent information about intake rounds for Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities, including the criteria used to select candidates in each round.
Latest intake rounds: N.S. Labour Market Priorities
Date | Selection criteria |
---|---|
Feb 8, 2022 | - 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 - 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 March 10, 2022. |
Oct 7 | - Have a primary occupation of carpenter (NOC 7271) - Provide letters of reference from employers, as outlined in the application guide, to demonstrate that they have two or more years of skilled trades experience as a carpenter. (Self-employed individuals must provide documentation from 3rd parties indicating the service provided along with payment details. Self-declared main duties or affidavits are not acceptable evidence of work experience.) - Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 5 or higher in English in all language abilities as demonstrated by providing your results from a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
Oct 7 | - have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work in Nova Scotia that lasts at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued (full-time means working year-round and at least 30 hours a week); - have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job; - have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent; - prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 5 |
Mar 29 | - French test results equal to or above CLB 9 - English test results equal to or above CLB 7 - A minimum post-secondary educational credential of three years or more |
Jan 19, 2021 | - at least 4 years' experience in NOC 1114 - English test results equal to or above CLB 9 - A minimum post-secondary educational credential of three years or more |
Dec 1, 2020 | - have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work in Nova Scotia that lasts at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued (full-time means working year-round and at least 30 hours a week); - have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job; - have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent; - prove language ability in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 5; and - apply no later than 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31, 2020. |
Oct 22 | - Have a primary occupation of programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174) - Provide letters of reference from employers, as outlined in the application guide, to demonstrate that they have three or more years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in NOC 2174 within the five years preceding the application. - Have at least one year of experience in NOC O, A or B in Canada. - Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 7 or higher in English 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. Nov. 21, 2020. |
Sept 24 | - Have a primary occupation of motor vehicle body repairers (NOC 7322) or automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (NOC 7321) - Have two or more years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in NOC 7322 or NOC 7321 within the five years preceding the application. - Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 5 or higher in English in all language abilities - Have completed a program of two or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute. - Apply no later than 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24, 2020. |
May 22 | - 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 or more years of experience as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse. - Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 8 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. |
Apr 27, 2020 | Candidates who selected French as their first official language with a CLB score of 8 or higher & English as a second official language with a CLB score of 6 or higher & 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. |
Dec 20, 2019 | Express Entry candidates were invited with at least 2 years' experience in Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations (NOC 1123), plus a Masters Degree, and English language test results equal to CLB 9 or higher. Candidates must have created their EE profile on or after January 1, 2019. |
Dec 5 | Candidates with 2+ years' experience as Social and Community Service Workers (NOC 4212), language score of at least CLB 7 in English or French, have completed a minimum level of education equal to a Canadian bachelor's degree OR a three year diploma, and submitted EE profile on or after Dec 6, 2018 |
Oct 28 | Candidates with 3+ years' experience as registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012), language score of at least CLB 8 in English or French, submitted EE profile on or after Nov 1, 2018 |
Sept 20 | Candidates with 2+ years' experience as a carpenter (NOC 7271), language score of at least CLB 5 in English or French |
Sept 4 | Candidates who selected French as their first official language with a CLB score of 8 or higher & English as a second official language with a CLB score of 6 or higher & 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. |
June 3 | NOC 4214, Early childhood educators and assistants (ECEs) only. Minimum of 5 years of work experience in NOC 4214. Proof of completion of a program of 2+ years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute. |
Mar 20 | Candidates who selected French as their first official language with a CLB score of 7 or higher & English as a second official language with a CLB score of 5 or higher & 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. |
Jan 24, 2019 | Candidates in NOC 1111 who entered the Express Entry pool on or after July 1, 2018 & with CRS score from 400 to 450, with additional education, language and work experience requirements. |
Aug 8, 2018 | NOC 4214, Early childhood educators and assistants (ECEs) only. Minimum of 2 years of work experience in NOC 4214. |
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream, the primary requirement is having an active Express Entry profile. As long as a person has an active Express Entry profile, and indicates that they would consider residing in Nova Scotia, they will be considered for the Labour Market Priorities stream.
Nova Scotia will periodically scan through Express Entry profiles, applying a filter seeking candidates with a certain skillset making them an asset to the Nova Scotian labour market. In the past, draws have selected candidates based on experience in certain occupations, French-language proficiency, and more.
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing which type of candidate may be prioritized in the next round of invitations. Nova Scotia does not release this information in advance.
Application Process
If you are one of the fortunate Express Entry candidates to be selected, you will receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) from Nova Scotia. This LOI will appear in your Express Entry account. If you receive an LOI, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for nomination to Nova Scotia.
If your application to Nova Scotia is approved, you will receive a Provincial Nomination, earning you an additional 600 points added to your CRS score. This virtually guarantees that you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
The future of the Labour Market Priorities stream
At this time, it is not known when subsequent draws may take place, or what criteria may in place for any future draws. See our PNP Live Tracker for updates on all PNP streams.
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