The Nova Scotia Labour Market Precedence Stream for Physicians proposes a unique opportunity for physicians and specialist physicians to achieve Canadian permanent residence through general practitioners, family the Express Entry pool.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, candidates must:
- Obtain a validated job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre located in Halifax.
- Receive or Obtain a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
Express Entry Program Integration
This program selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool based on two primary federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This initiative ensures qualified medical professionals have a streamlined path to contributing their expertise to Nova Scotia's healthcare system.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians
Essential Criteria for Application
To put an application for a provincial nomination under Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians, candidates within the Express Entry pool must meet the following requirements:
1. Receive a Letter of Interest (LOI):
- Candidates must obtain an LOI from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) through their Express Entry profile.
2. Timely Application Submission:
- Submit your application within 30 days from the issuance date of the LOI.
3. Approved Job Offer:
- Secure a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre, specifically as a family physician (NOC 3112), general practitioner, or specialist physician (NOC 3111) as per the National Occupational Classification.
4. Work Experience Requirements:
- Demonstrate that you meet the work experience criteria for your respective Express Entry class.
5. Return for Service Agreement:
- Provide a signed agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, promising a two-year stay in the jurisdiction.
6. Sufficient Settlement Funds:
- Show proof of adequate funds to settle in Nova Scotia, either alone or with family members, covering immigration costs and travel expenses. Applications are not approved if the projected family income comes under or below LICO (Statistics Canada's Low-Income Cut-Off).
7. Legal Residency Status:
- Ensure you have legal status in your country of residence at the time of application.
Documentation Validity
All required documents must be valid both when applying to the NSOI and when applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency.
Meeting these criteria ensures a streamlined application process, enhancing your opportunity to contribute to Nova Scotia's healthcare system while securing permanent residency in Canada.
Language Requirements for Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians
Language Proficiency Standards
To meet the requirements for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in one of Canada's official languages, English or French, with the following requirements:
1.Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB):
- Achieve a CLB level 7 in all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
2.Documentation:
- Provide valid language test results, even if English or French is your first language.
3.Validity of Test Results:
- Ensure that language test results are not older than two years at the time of application. Results must be renewed if they expire before the application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is processed.
Acceptable Language Tests
Applicants can choose from the following approved language tests:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
CLB Level 7 Requirements
The table below outlines the required test scores for achieving CLB level 7:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CELPIP | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| TEF | 249 | 207 | 310 | 310 |
| TCF | 458 | 453 | 10 | 10 |
Ensuring you meet these language requirements is crucial for your application to be successful, allowing you to effectively integrate and communicate within Nova Scotia's healthcare system.
Education and Work Experience Requirements for Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians
Education Requirements
To be eligible for a provincial nomination in Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians, applicants must provide evidence of their education and medical training to obtain a license in Nova Scotia. This proof can be demonstrated in two ways:
1. Proof of Education in Canada:
- Provide copies of Canadian diplomas, degrees, or transcripts.
2. Proof of Completed Foreign Educational Credentials:
- Submit copies of foreign diplomas, degrees, or transcripts along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by the Medical Council of Canada.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report
The ECA report must meet the following criteria:
- IRCC Compliance: Follow the format and content requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Validity: Be less than five years old at the time the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) receives the application and when applying for permanent residence to IRCC.
- Equivalence: Show that the applicant's credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian credential.
Note: It is suggested to retain a duplicate or copy of the ECA report for archives and future usage.
Required Documentation
All ECA reports and proof of completed foreign educational credentials should be submitted together to ensure a smooth application process.
Work Experience Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate they meet the minimum work-experience requirements of the Express Entry stream under either the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program. To prove this, applicants need to provide letters of reference from all previous employers.
Reference Letter Requirements
Each reference letter must:
- Company Letterhead: Be written on the company's official letterhead.
- Signatures: Be signed by a responsible human resources officer, supervisor, or manager.
- Company Information: Include the company's full address, telephone number, email, website URL, and an official company seal (if applicable).
- Employment Details: Contain the following information in one document:
- The specific period of employment with the company.
- The positions held during the period of employment and the duration of each position.
- Main responsibilities and duties in each position.
- Annual salary plus benefits in each position.
- Number of hours worked per week in each position.
- Total number of hours worked for each position.
- Proof that the work experience meets the lead statement and at least 51% of the main duties as outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016.
Summary of Education and Work Experience Documentation
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of Education in Canada | Copies of diplomas, degrees, or transcripts. |
| Proof of Foreign Education | Copies of diplomas, degrees, or transcripts, and ECA report from the Medical Council of Canada. |
| ECA Report Criteria | Must follow IRCC format, be less than five years old, and show equivalence to a Canadian credential. |
| Reference Letters | Must be on company letterhead, signed by authorized personnel, and include detailed employment information. |
| Employment Information | Period of employment, positions held, responsibilities and duties, salary and benefits, hours worked, and proof of alignment with NOC 2016 duties. |
By adhering to these educational and work experience requirements, applicants can ensure a comprehensive and effective application, enhancing their chances of successfully obtaining a provincial nomination and contributing to Nova Scotia's healthcare system.
Settlement Funds and Immigration Status for Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians
Settlement Funds
To ensure a smooth transition and successful settlement in Nova Scotia, federal guidelines recommend that immigrants arrive with sufficient financial resources. The recommended expanses or amounts are as mentioned below:
• Minimum Funds: At least $12,669 CAD for the principal applicant.
• Additional Family Members: Approximately $3,414 CAD for each accompanying family member.
These financial requirements may be reduced if the principal applicant is already residing in Nova Scotia or has secured employment in the province.
Proof of Financial Resources:
• Applicants must provide evidence of financial resources in their own name. Acceptable proofs include transferable funds held in the applicant’s or spouse’s name.
Immigration Status
Applicants must demonstrate their legal immigration status both in their current country of residence and in Canada, if applicable.
Current Country of Residence:
• If residing in a country other than their country of nationality, applicants should include a photocopy of their visa or permit for their current country of residence.
Living in Canada:
• Applicants residing in Canada must provide proof of their authorized status which must be legal as a provisional worker or visitor.
Passport Requirements:
- Valid passports are required for all family members included in the application.
- Applications must include copies of passport pages showing the date of issue and expiry, passport number, name, photo, date and place of birth, date of expiration, any amendments, and any previous visas or visits or appointments to Canada.
- NSOI recommends that passports have an expiry date of at least two years from the date of application.
Previous Immigration Applications
Applicants must declare any previous attempts to immigrate to Canada under provincial or federal categories. This includes:
- Copies of all correspondence received from provincial or federal immigration authorities related to previous applications.
Summary of Settlement Funds and Immigration Status Documentation
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement Funds | Minimum $12,669 CAD for the principal applicant, $3,414 CAD for each family member. |
| Proof of Financial Resources | Transferable funds in the applicant’s or spouse’s name. |
| Current Immigration Status | Photocopy of visa or permit for current country of residence if unlike from nationality. |
| Legal Status in Canada | Proof of status as a temporary worker or visitor if living in Canada. |
| Passport Requirements | Valid passports for all family members; include relevant pages and details, recommended expiry date at least two years away. |
| Previous Immigration Applications | Declare all previous applications and provide copies of related correspondence from immigration authorities. |
By meeting these settlement funds and immigration status requirements, applicants can ensure a comprehensive and compliant application, enhancing their chances of successful integration into Nova Scotia's community and healthcare system.
Who is Not Eligible for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
Ineligible Applicants
Certain foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream. These include:
- Refugee Claimants: Individuals who are currently refugee claimants in Canada.
- Futile Refugee Petitioners: Persons whose refugee petitions or claims have been denied and who have not yet left Canada.
- Documentation Issues: Applicants who fail to provide valid documentation.
- Eligibility Non-compliance: Individuals who do not meet the specified eligibility requirements.
Important Notices
- Criteria Changes: The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) holds the power or right to modify or change the eligibility standards at any time without prior notice.
- Application Intake: NSOI may also close or suspend application intake for any stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) at its discretion.
Candidates or applicants are stimulated to stay updated on any variations to the program to ensure they meet the current requirements and submit a complete and valid application.
Procedure of Submission of Application for Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians
1. Notify NSOI of Express Entry Profile
Formerly applying to the Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians, candidates need to create an Express Entry profile with the federal system. After completing the profile, candidates should send their profile numbers to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI).
If the candidates qualify, they will receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) in their IRCC online account. To receive an LOI, physicians must:
- Create an Express Entry profile.
- Receive an approved job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre.
- Sign a Return of Service Agreement.
- Indicate their interest in moving to Nova Scotia in their Express Entry profile.
2. Submit an application to NSNP through the Labour Market Priorities Stream
Upon receiving an LOI, applicants have 30 days to apply to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) under the Labour Market Priorities Stream. Applications must be submitted through Nova Scotia’s website with all required supporting documents. NSOI recommends that documents:
- Be sent as PDF files.
- Be clear and legible.
- Be scanned in color if containing images; text-only documents can be in grayscale to reduce file size.
- Have a minimum scanner resolution of 300 pixels per inch.
- Not be enhanced or edited.
- Ensure the file size does not increase beyond 50 MB.
- Have filenames with less than 50 characters.
Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Interpreters or Translators must be specialized by a supervisory body and cannot be related to the applicant or their spouse/common-law partner or work for a paid consultant preparing the application. Proof of the translator's certification is required.
3. Nomination or Refusal
Nomination: If approved, candidates will receive a letter from NSOI through their IRCC online account and a Nomination Certificate via email. Candidates have 30 days to receive or accept the proposal in the Express Entry system. After acceptance, IRCC will send an invitation to apply for permanent residency, along with guidelines and instructions. Note that a nomination from Nova Scotia does not guarantee permanent residence status; only IRCC can issue a permanent resident visa.
Intent to Refuse: If an application is incomplete, NSOI may send an Intent to Refuse notice, giving applicants 10 business days to provide additional information. Extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances. The file will be reassessed, and the final decision will be emailed to the applicant or their representative.
Refusal: If refused, NSOI will notify the applicant by email. Refusal decisions are final, and there is no appeal process.
4. Temporary Work Permit
After receiving a provincial nomination, candidates can request a letter of support from NSOI for a temporary work permit, which substitutes the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This permit allows candidates to work in Canada while their permanent residency application is processed. Renewal applications for the temporary work permit should be submitted three months before expiration, with valid passports required for the requested timeframe.
5. Extension of Nomination
NSOI may grant one six-month extension of the nomination on a case-by-case basis under exceptional conditions.
6. Confirmation of Permanent Residence
Once permanent residence is granted, applicants must contact NSOI within 30 days of arriving in Nova Scotia. They need to provide a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence, their passport, and current Nova Scotia contact information, including address, phone number, and email.
Disclaimer:: The information provided about the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians serves as a general guideline and does not constitute legal advice or official policy. Applicants are encouraged to conduct thorough research and verify current program details independently. Changes to eligibility criteria or application processes by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) may occur without prior notice. It is essential that individuals seek updated information directly from NSOI or authorized immigration consultants to ensure accurate and reliable guidance before proceeding with their application.
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