Nova Scotia Nominee Program

How this program came to life?
Nova Scotia Nominee program: An attractive choice
Selection factors for the main applicants
interview in Halifax (Nova Scotia) within 3 months
Unique opportunities to be granted employment
You must have serious intention to reside in Nova Scotia

How this program came to life?
The Federal Government of Canada has primary responsibility under our Constitution for Immigration matters. All immigrant visas are issued by the Federal Government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) The Federal Government has established various selection categories or classes; for example Economic Classes (skilled worker and business immigrants).  But each Canadian Province also may have some responsibility for immigrant selection.  To date, many Canadian provinces have entered into agreements with the Federal Government allowing the Province to have input into immigrant selection.  For example, immigrants chose to reside in the Province of Quebec must submit their application to a Province of Quebec visa office.  But in the case of many other provinces such as Manitoba, British Columbia and now Nova Scotia, they have also entered agreements with the Federal Government.  In those cases, the immigrant may choose to apply in one of the Federal Government classes, or may choose to be selected by the Province.  These programs are called Provincial Nominee programs.


Nova Scotia Nominee Program: An Attractive choice
In August 2002, the Federal Government signed an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia.  The Province will be allowed to select up to 200 families per year.  We think that the Nova Scotia program offers qualified applicants a very attractive option; and processing of the immigrant visas will be significantly faster than most Federal Government categories. 

Selection Factors for the main Applicants
Age: between the age of 25 and 60.
Language: basic language skills in English, or French and English (basic ability to function in the workplace.
Experience: minimum three years managerial experience
Education: High School or equivalent
Net Worth: minimum CAD$ 300,000 legally made from any source
Economic Contribution: You must pay   CAD$ 128,800 to the Province of Nova Scotia

Interview in Halifax Nova Scotia within 3 months
Upon submitting your application, if selected for an interview, the interview will take place in Halifax, within 3 months.  The applicant will be given an official letter of invitation, which may be presented a Canadian visitor visa office, if a visitor visa is required.  The applicant must spend at least 3 full business days in Nova Scotia prior to the interview.  If approved at interview, the applicant completes payment of the Economic Contribution and the Province will issue an acceptance letter which may be presented to the Canadian immigrant visa office serving the applicant’s country of residence.  The Federal Government has committed to processing the immigrant visa within 6-9 months after receiving the immigrant visa application. Therefore, this entire process could be concluded with 12 months or less from the date of application to Nova Scotia. 



Unique opportunity to be granted  Employment
One of the reasons that we believe makes the Nova Scotia Nominee Program an attractive option is the right of the principal applicant to have guaranteed employment in a middle management position with any Nova Scotia company for at least six months following landing at a guaranteed salary of CAD$ 20,000 for that six months period.  The immigrant is allowed to choose which company he will be employed by from a list of companies approved by the Province.

This right to six months employment is unique to Nova Scotia’s program, this feature provides an opportunity for the new immigrant to become immediately acquainted with Canadian business and managerial practices, without any risk to the immigrant.  However, the immigrant is not required to accept this employment.  The immigrant could decide to establish his or her own business or may work for any other company.

After the initial six months period of employment (should the immigrant choose this option), the immigrant and the employer are free to continue that employment, on terms to be negotiated.  

You must have the serious intention to reside in Nova Scotia
To be selected, the applicant must make a serious commitment to reside in Nova Scotia. Permanent Residents of Canada have the right to live and work in any province of Canada, but selection under this Program depends upon an intention to reside at least initially following landing in Nova Scotia.