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Labor Market Priorities Stream
Summary:
The Labour Market Priorities Stream under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) provides a pathway to permanent residence for candidates in Canada’s Express Entry system who have skills that match Nova Scotia’s labour market needs.
This stream is flexible — eligibility criteria and targeted occupations vary from draw to draw, depending on the province’s current economic and social priorities.
Express Entry Connection
To be considered under this stream, applicants must already have a valid federal Express Entry profile under one of the three federal economic immigration programs:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a provincial nomination under this stream, candidates must:
Receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) via their Express Entry profile.
Meet the draw-specific eligibility criteria outlined by the NSOI at the time of selection.
Demonstrate relevant work experience that matches the NOC requirements of their Express Entry program and/or the draw-specific occupation(s).
Provide valid reference letters and documentation from employers to verify work history.
Show sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members, meeting or exceeding Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
Have legal status in their current country of residence at the time of applying.
Important: Each draw may target different occupations, skills, or language abilities — candidates should carefully review NSOI announcements for updated eligibility.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates must show their work experience matches the National Occupational Classification (NOC) description outlined in the draw announcement.
Supporting documentation (reference letters, contracts, pay stubs) must be provided to confirm duties and duration.
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Application Process
Step 1 – Express Entry Profile
Create and maintain a valid Express Entry profile under FSW, FSTC, or CEC.
Step 2 – Receive a Letter of Interest
Nova Scotia issues Letters of Interest directly through Express Entry to candidates who meet draw-specific requirements.
Step 3 – Apply to the NSNP
Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application online, including all required documents (PDF format). Translations must be certified if documents are not in English or French.
Step 4 – NSOI Decision
Approved applicants receive a provincial nomination via their Express Entry account (+600 CRS points).
Potential refusals receive a “Letter of Intent to Refuse” and have 10 business days to provide additional documents for reconsideration. Final refusal decisions cannot be appealed.
Step 5 – Accepting Nomination
Once approved, candidates must accept the nomination within 30 days in Express Entry.
Step 6 – Apply for Permanent Residence
With an additional 600 CRS points, candidates are virtually guaranteed an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC. Successful PR applicants must notify NSOI within 30 days of arrival in Nova Scotia.
Who Is Not Eligible
You cannot apply under this stream if you:
Have already received an NSNP nomination within the last 12 months.
Are a refugee claimant in Canada, or a failed claimant who has not yet left the country.
Key Benefits
No job offer required.
Direct link to Express Entry with a 600-point CRS boost.
Flexible criteria that target Nova Scotia’s real-time labour needs.
Fees
No application fee is charged by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
Federal fees apply when applying for permanent residence through IRCC.
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I’m Rashid Ali, a Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, having a designation of RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) from the College of Citizenship & Immigration Consultants of Canada or CICC (Previously known as ICCRC). CICC is the official regulator of immigration consultants in Canada. I’m also a member of the Canadian Association for Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).