Provincial Nomination - Nova Scotia

Out of 711 applications for nomination for permanent residency from Nova Scotia in 2005, a respectable 303 applicants were successfully nominated. When compared with the figures in 2003, when only 23 were approved from 85, one could conclude that the popularity of the Nova Scotia Nomination Programme has considerably increased.

Nova Scotia has a reputation as being a culturally diverse province and this has perhaps encouraged the high rise in applications. However the overall programme as a whole, now championed by the Canadian Government, has had a large increase in interest from potential applicants.

The province has particular industrial needs and also has some shortages in its labour market. There are two streams available for applicants - the economic stream and the skilled worker stream. Skilled workers who could fill critical shortages in the labour market are particularly welcomed. However the employer must usually have exhausted most means of finding employees from those currently living or resident in the province.  

Those with a guaranteed job offer from an employer based in Nova Scotia face a far higher likelihood of acceptance for nomination than those without. Basic literacy in English is a must – unlike some provinces where French is a valid alternative.