Nova Scotia holds draw for Labour Market Priorities Stream

The latest provincial draw by Nova Scotia was held on December 1, 2020. Invitations were issued to Canadian immigration hopefuls through the Labour Market Priorities Stream.

Linked with the federal Express System, the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream shortlists candidates – meeting the requirements of the provincial labour market – to apply for a nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP] through Nova Scotia.

As is generally the case with a majority of PNP streams, applying to the stream is by invitation. Only those candidates might apply that have received an invitation, a Letter of Interest, from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

The previous Nova Scotia Nominee Program [NS NP] draw was held on October 22, 2020.

The specific number of invitations issued in any draw is usually not specified by the NS NP.

The candidate must fulfil certain criteria to be eligible for the stream.

Eligibility criteria for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream of the NS NP

A valid Express Entry profile Meeting the minimum work experience requirement for the Express Entry stream qualifying under Receiving an invitation from the NS NP within the Express Entry system Legal status in present country of residence Sufficient funds, for settling in NS with family Meeting the eligibility criteria in place when issued the Letter of Invitation Submitting application within 30 days of receiving NS NP invitation

The above-mentioned is the general criteria that is applicable to all draws for the Labour Market Priorities Stream.

However, there are “draw-specific criteria” that differ from draw to draw, depending on the labour market needs.

Criteria for the December 1 NS NP draw

Valid job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time [year-round and minimum 30 hours per week] work in the province, lasting for at least 1 year after being granted Canadian permanent residence 1 year of skilled work experience that is related to the job offer Either a Canadian high school equivalent or equivalent in foreign qualification Language ability [English/French] at Canadian Language Benchmarks [CLB] Level 5* Apply before 11:59 pm on December 31, 2020

*When equated to IELTS bands, a CLB Level 5 would be – Reading 4.0, Writing 5, Listening 5, and Speaking 5.

In the recent past, the NS NP has held targeted draws that were directed at specific occupations.

Date of targeted draw	National Occupational Classification [NOC] code targeted
October 22 NS NP draw	NOC 2174 [Computer programmers and interactive media developers]
September 24 NS NP draw	NOC 7322 [motor vehicle body repairers] NOC 7321 [automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers]
May 22, 2020	NOC 3012 [Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses]

Aligned with the federal Express Entry system, for a candidate to be invited through the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream, they must first create their Express Entry profile.

Launched in 2015, the Express Entry system of Canada is an online system used for managing applications for Canadian permanent residence from skilled workers under any of the 3 main economic immigration programs of Canada.

Programs managed by the Express Entry system are – the Federal Skilled Worker Program [FSWP], the Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP], and the Canadian Experience Class [CEC].

Express Entry candidates successful in securing a nomination through the PNP are allotted an additional 600 points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System [CRS] score, thereby guaranteeing that they will be invited to apply for Canada PR is the next federal draw.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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