The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream for physicians selects physicians to apply for nomination through the federal Express Entry system. Only candidates with an approved offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre who receive a Letter of Interest from Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) may apply.
General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101) will receive a Letter of Interest once LSI is notified of the candidate’s Express Entry profile number and a signed approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre.
Requirements to qualify for EE
You must meet the minimum criteria for at least one of the federal economic immigration programs subject to IRCC’s Express Entry system:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- A valid Express Entry profile number
- You should receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program within the Express Entry system
- Submit your application within 30 calendar days of the date on which your Letter of Interest was issued
Age
Language
You must demonstrate you have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test score of 7 for each language skill, either in French or in English.
The TCF Canada is accepted by the NSNP for this stream
Education in Canada
You must demonstrate that you have the education and medical training required for licensure in Nova Scotia.
You must submit a completed Canadian educational credential, or if the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by the Medical Council of Canada.
Work/Business Experience
To be eligible to this stream, you must demonstrate that you meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry federal program for which you have qualified. Either through the Federal Skills works (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) criteria.
Work Permit / Temporary Permits
If you are in Canada on a Work Permit, it must be valid at the time of application.
Job Offer
You have an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre (IWK) as either a general practitioner and family physician (NOC 31102) or a specialist physician (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101). The approved opportunity must be on official NSHA or IWK letterhead and must:
- Be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire physicians at the NSHA or IWK
- Be signed and dated by the applicant who is accepting the opportunity
- Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
- Indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and the IWK
Employer Official Letter
- Provide a copy of a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness indicating commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years
- You received a Letter of Interest from NSOI
- Letters of reference from previous employers. Each letter of reference must be a single document written on your employer’s letterhead and stamped with the company’s seal if it has one
Eligible NOC TEER Categories
This stream is currently open to doctors in 3 NOC categories:
- NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians
Residing at time of Application
In order to apply to the NSLMP stream, you must have legal status in your current country of residence.
Intention to live in Province
You promise to live and work in Nova
Scotia for at least 2 years
Additional Requirements
You must also provide a copy of a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness indicating commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum period of two years.
Funds
You must show that you have sufficient funds to successfully establish yourself and your family in Nova Scotia.
Federal guidelines generally recommend that immigrants arrive with a minimum of $11,000, plus $2,000 for each dependent. This recommended amount is reduced in the case of a principal applicant who is already living in Nova Scotia or has arranged employment.
In all cases, proof of some financial resources in your own name is required.
When applying to IRCC (after receiving your nomination), you do not have to show that you have these funds:
- If you have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in Canada
- If you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you need to show proof of settlement funds, the amount needed is as below, applicable beginning April 25, 2023.
| Family Size | Required Funds (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 13,757 |
| 2 | 17,127 |
| 3 | 21,055 |
| 4 | 25,564 |
| 5 | 28,994 |
| 6 | 32,700 |
| 7 | 36,407 |
| For every extra family member | 3,706 |
Ineligibility
We will refuse your application if you fail to show that your
work experience meets the description in the National Occupational
Classification for either NOC 31100, NOC 31101 or NOC 31102.
Application Period
Approximately 3 to 6 months
Submission of Application
You must apply to 2 levels of government: federal and provincial.
- Meet the eligibility requirements of the federal FSW, or CEC programs.
- Generate their Express Entry profile, and specify their interest in the province by selecting “Nova Scotia” or “All Provinces and Territories”.
- Qualify for the LMPP stream eligibility requirements.
- Obtain a Letter of Interest directly in their Express Entry profile.
- Apply to the LMPP stream within 30 days of receiving the Letter of Interest, by submitting their application through Nova Scotia’s online service (filling in forms and uploading required documents).
- Accept the Nova Scotia provincial nomination (after the NSNP processes their application) within 30 days of receiving it on their Express Entry profile.
- Optional: You can request a letter of support to apply for a temporary work permit or the renewal of an existing work permit (within 3 months of expiry). This letter of support replaces the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Service Canada in applying for the new work permit.
- Obtain an additional 600 CRS points in the Express Entry profile, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Apply for permanent residence through your Express Entry profile.