NS PNP - (Worker) Labor Market Priorities Stream for Physicians

What is Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities Stream for Physicians (NSNP)?

This is the Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Stream specifically for physicians already in the IRCC Express Entry system, who have a Letter of Interest (NSOI) from Nova Scotia, and have an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre (IWK).

The program currently applies to 3 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

• NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
• NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery
• NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians

The program's Expression of Interest (EOI) mechanism

Applications submitted to the NSNP in this stream are treated as Expressions of Interest (EOI) and placed in the EOI pool. Nova Scotia will select applications for processing in batches, based on provincial priority, remaining quotas, the number of applications in the pool, and program integrity.
Being selected for processing does not guarantee approval.

Required conditions before submission

You must meet the following three conditions:

1. Valid Express Entry profile number
2. Approved job offer from NSHA or IWK under NOC 31100/31101/31102
3. A Letter of Interest (LOI) from NSOI invites you to apply.

Additionally, to be suitable for this stream, you need to meet the following key requirements:

• In Express Entry, you selected that you are interested in Nova Scotia.
• Commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years.
• Meet the work experience requirements of the Express Entry stream for which you qualify.
• Have an ECA from the Medical Council of Canada or proof that you received the necessary medical training in Canada.
• Proof of English/French language proficiency is required.
• Do you have proof of legal residency in your current place of residence?
• Demonstrate your ability to financially support yourself and your family.

Cases where you should not submit (may be rejected)

Do not submit if you fall into any of the following situations:

• You are living in a country where you are not legally permitted to reside.
• You have applied for/are applying for immigration to Canada under the humanitarian/human rights or refugee categories, or your refugee status in Canada has been rejected.
• You have a deportation order from IRCC/CBSA.
• There are unresolved child custody/support disputes involving dependents.
• You are studying at a post-secondary educational institution in Canada.
• You received a scholarship/award that required you to return to your home country after graduation, but you haven't fulfilled that obligation yet.

Job offer requirements (NSHA/IWK)

The job offer must:

• On the official NSHA or IWK letterhead.
• It must have the signature and date of the person authorized to recruit doctors.
• You must sign and date to confirm acceptance.
• Demonstrate that you are eligible to apply for a medical license in Nova Scotia (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia)
• Demonstrate that you are eligible to apply for privileges/credentials with NSHA or IWK.

Return of Service Agreement (required)

You must sign a Return of Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, demonstrating your plan to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years.

Language requirements (proof of language is mandatory, including in your native language)

You must achieve CLB 7+ (UK) or NCLC 7+ (France) and submit the results of one of the accepted tests, even if your native language is English/French.

Accepted tests include: IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada (with corresponding score ranges as shown in the guide).
The test results must be within 2 years of the application date.

Documents required (summary)

Technical requirements for documentation

• All documents must be PDFs, clearly scanned, and photos must be color scanned.
• Maximum total file size 50MB, scan resolution 300 dpi
• Documents not in English/French: must be translated by a certified translator, and the original, the translation, and the translator's certificate must be submitted.
• Do not ask relatives or employees of immigration agents to pay for document translation.

Main documents

• LOI from NSOI, proof of job offer NSHA/IWK, Return of Service Agreement
• Evidence of meeting the experience requirements under Express Entry + a job confirmation letter (reference letter) with sufficient detail and duties matching the NOC, performing at least 51% of the main tasks.
• Medical/Qualifications; if studied outside Canada: ECA from the Medical Council of Canada.
• Valid language test results
• Passport and family documents (if accompanying), proof of legal residency.
• Financial evidence (three-month bank statements and/or investment portfolio; excluding real estate/personal assets) and reference to IRCC settlement fund requirements.

Application process

1. Create an Express Entry profile
2. Track Letter of Interest in Express Entry
3. After receiving your Letter of Intent (LOI), you must submit your application online for this stream within 30 calendar days (late submissions will be rejected).
4. Result: nominated or rejected (no appeals)
5. If nominated: accept the nomination in Express Entry, then apply for PR with IRCC.
6. Upon becoming a permanent resident (PR) and arriving in Nova Scotia: notify the Resident of Interest (NSOI) within 30 days, along with the Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR), passport, and contact information in Nova Scotia.

After nomination: duration & work permit

• You must accept the nomination within 30 days of receiving the nomination notification.
• The nomination certificate expires at the end of the month one year after the nomination date; you must submit your PR application to IRCC within this timeframe.
• A Letter of Support can be obtained to apply for/renew a work permit (instead of an LMIA). Work permits can only be renewed within 3 months of their expiration date, and the passport must be valid for the entire renewal period.
• It is possible to apply for a nomination extension once (for an additional 6 months) if your PR application was submitted before the 12-month deadline but was returned by IRCC after the deadline, and you have rectified the reason for the return; no extensions will be granted after 18 months from the original nomination date.

What support does KeyApply offer for Nova Scotia Medical Program applications?

KeyApply can assist you by following the process outlined in this guide, focusing on:

• Review the conditions before submitting (Express Entry, LOI, NSHA/IWK job offer, Return of Service Agreement).
• Standardize the checklist of required documents: PDF/translation/evidence, work experience, education, language, and funds.
• Instructions on submitting your LOI online within the 30-day deadline and tracking post-nomination milestones.

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