On April 27, Nova Scotia announced its top priorities when selecting occupations for its Nominee Program. These priority occupations will be fast-tracked under the province’s three-level framework. In the new rule, skilled tradespeople and healthcare workers get the broadest access and highest priority.
On the other hand, candidates located abroad and in other occupation groups may face tighter restrictions. Unfortunately, those workers in TEER* 5 occupations will not be considered at the moment. However, the province did note that its priorities may change, depending on nomination allocations and labour market changes.
Which Occupations Are Targeted?
Level 1 — Skilled Trades and Healthcare (by far the top priority at this time)
Does your occupation belong in healthcare or trades? It means you will receive top priority for NSNP nomination at TEER 0 to 4.
International candidates and those already living and working in Nova Scotia can apply for Level 1, and they may likely be considered, as their occupations are top priority at the moment.
Level 2 — Additional Priority Occupations
What occupations will Nova Scotia consider for temporary resident nominations? Candidates already in the province and working in the major groups below may be considered. These will be for TEER 0 to 4 only:
NOC* 2 — Natural and applied sciences, along with their related occupations
NOC 4 — Law, education, social, government, and community services
NOC 8 — Agriculture, natural resources, and those related to production occupations
NOC 9 — Occupations related to utilities and manufacturing
Level 3 — Limitations or Limited Considerations
If your occupation isn’t in the category mentioned above, the NSNP may consider whether you are already in TEER 0, 1, or 2.
Levels 2 and 3 limit nominations to temporary residents who are already in the province. This means that if you’re applying from outside the country and do not work in either a skilled trade or healthcare, your only option is through the NSNP’s general EOI pool.
