NSNP - (Worker) Express Entry

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry is a stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), linked to IRCC's Express Entry system. This stream is for skilled workers who have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia and wish to settle permanently there.

Note regarding application acceptance: As of 12:00 PM ADT, April 17, 2024, NSNP has a large backlog of applications in the Accommodation and Food Services sector and is temporarily suspending applications for this sector while processing the remaining applications. (Based on the information you provided)

1) What does “EOI” mean in this program?

• Applications submitted to the NSNP are considered Expressions of Interest (EOI) and are included in the EOI pool.
• Nova Scotia will periodically select a number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to process based on factors such as provincial priority, remaining quota, the number of EOIs in the pool, and program integrity.
• You will only receive confirmation that your application has been selected for processing and moved to the next step; being selected for processing does not mean your application has been approved.

2) Main conditions for submission

You should consider applying if you meet all of the following criteria:

Work experience in Nova Scotia

• I have a total of 1,560 hours of work experience in Nova Scotia in the 3 years prior to the application date:
  • Full-time: 30 hours/week for 12 months (can be at one or more jobs), or
  • Part-time: 15 hours/week for 24 months.
• Experience is not counted if it is:
  • self-employed
  • I did this while I was a full-time student.
  • co-op work terms,
  • unpaid internship,
  • volunteer.

Occupational groups (NOC/TEER)

• Experience must fall under NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• During your employment, you must complete at least 51% of the main duties assigned to you by the NOC.

Age, employment status, education

• 21–55 years old
• Once you gain experience, you will be allowed to work legally in Canada (for example, with a work permit).
• Must have a high school diploma or post-secondary education certificate (from within or outside Canada).

Foreign language (test results must be submitted)

You must submit the results of one of the accepted tests, even if your native language is English or French: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.

• TEER 0–1: minimum 7 goals per club/NCLC
• TEER 2–3: Minimum Club/National Team 5
• The exam results must be within 2 years of the submission date.

Finances & Intentions to Settle

• Demonstrate the ability to support yourself and your family.
• Expressing an intention to live permanently in Nova Scotia.

3) Cases where submission is not recommended

You should not apply if you fall into any of the "Do NOT apply" situations, for example:

• Your eligibility depends on the PGWP experience gained from studying outside of Nova Scotia.
• You plan to work in NOC TEER 4 or 5.
• You are a student at a post-secondary institution in Canada.
• You have received a nomination/endorsement (NSNP or AIP) within the last 12 months.
• There have been misrepresentation issues in the last 5 years, a removal order is pending, or other situations listed in the guidelines exist.

4) Application process

Step 1: Create an Express Entry profile

• Create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC system to receive:
  • Express Entry profile top

  • Job seeker validation code

Step 2: Submit your NSNP application – Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

• Submit online and complete eNSNP Form 100 with the required documentation.
• On the form, you must state your intention to settle in Nova Scotia in your own words (do not copy).

Step 3: NSNP evaluation

• It may take 3 months or more; an in-person interview may be required in Nova Scotia.
• The officer did not provide information on the case status over the phone.

Step 4: Results - Nomination or Refusal

• If nominated: the nomination certificate expires at the end of the month one year after the nomination date; you must accept the nomination in Express Entry within 30 days.
• If rejected: the decision is final, no appeals allowed.

Step 5: Submit PR to IRCC

• After your nomination is accepted, IRCC sends you an Invitation to Apply, and you have 60 days to submit your PR application through your IRCC account.

Steps 6-7: IRCC reviews your application and notifies you when you receive your Permanent Residency (PR).

• Once you have PR, you need to contact the NSNP within 30 days of arriving in Nova Scotia and submit the requested information.

5) Documents that usually need to be prepared

According to the instructions, you need to prepare the following documents:

• Work experience: work permit, contract, pay stubs, reference letters (according to the requirements).
• Education: qualifications + (if studied outside Canada) ECA as required
• Language: valid test result
• Family & residency status: passports, marriage/child documents, proof of legal residency status, etc.

Technical file requirements: all documents must be in PDF format, with a maximum total size of 50MB, scanned at 300dpi, and images must be in color; documents not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator (not a family member or a paid agent).

KeyApply can assist you with the following (to ensure your application meets the guidelines):

• Review the requirements according to the program checklist (working hours, TEER/NOC, age, foreign language proficiency, legal status, etc.).
• Standardizing documentation: guidance on standardizing the content of reference letters and structuring PDF/scanned files correctly.
• Assistance in presenting your “intent to settle” on the eNSNP 100 form, requiring you to write it in your own words.
• Follow the key deadlines (EOI pool, 30-day nomination acceptance, 60-day PR submission, etc.) according to the established guidelines.

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