The Provincial Nominee Programs of the Atlantic Provinces
Explore opportunities for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) of the Atlantic Provinces and secure your future in Canada. Read on.
Provincial Nominee Programs are permanent residency programs co-administered by the provincial and territorial governments and the federal government. While the selection criteria are set by the former, the admissibility assessment and permanent residency visa issuance remain the latter’s domain. Intent to reside in the province is the legal basis and mandatory requirement for all Provincial nominations. Currently, eleven Provincial Nominee Programs exist and most fall into two main categories: Worker and businesspeople.
This article intends to provide you with a general idea of the Provincial Nominee Programs offered by the Atlantic provinces, namely, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal program operated in partnership with Atlantic provinces, which is not included herein.
The four provinces are relatively small in both land area and population, but they are rich in culture and bear some unique features. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province documented in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Nova Scotia is the creator of the international graduate entrepreneur stream. Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province and it's worth noticing that Charlottetown, its capital city, is the birthplace of Confederation.
The Atlantic provincial nomination streams share some common selection criteria. Most of their worker streams require a job offer from a local eligible employer; the streams that do not impose such a mandatory requirement, the provinces have their priorities in place. Concerning business nomination streams, they focus on the decisive factors that may significantly influence the establishment and development of a business as well as the benefits to the province. Therefore, a certain amount of personal net worth and investment as well as job creation are mandatory.
All Atlantic nomination streams require candidates/applicants to have legal status. Age is an important factor for all Atlantic nomination streams. Most of the nomination streams have their point grids. If such a point grid is in place, it means the first step for eligible candidates is to create a profile and then wait for the invitation to apply issued by the PNP. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee candidates to be invited to apply for nomination.
The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
The NBPNP consists of five streams for workers and one for entrepreneurs:
• NB Skilled Worker (SW):
This stream is for candidates who have a full-time job offer for an eligible NB employer and who meet the minimum requirements of the selection criteria of this stream: Language CLB 4, education high school, one-year related work experience, and a minimum score of 60 out of 100 of the point grid for this stream.
• NB Express Entry (EE):
This stream is for EE candidates in the EE pool. They must have at least one NB connection: NB employment connection, NB student connection, or NB occupation in demand connection to be eligible for this stream. NBPNP selects EE candidates from the EE pool to extend them a letter of interest. They must score a minimum score of 67 out of 100 of the point grid for this stream.
• NB Strategic Initiative (SI) stream for French-speaking immigrants:
This stream is for foreign nationals who have a minimum of high school education and NCLC 5 in French. They must have at least one qualifying connection to NB, which includes an exploratory visit, NB employment or an NB job offer, or an invitation from the NBPNP. They must score a minimum score of 65 out of 100 of the point grid for this stream.
• NB Critical Worker Pilot (CW):
This is a five-year employer-driven pilot. Candidates must have a full-time job offer from a participating NB employer. Candidates cannot apply to the pilot directly. Instead, their applications to the NBPNP must be made through the participating employers.
• Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program:
This is a pilot program for international graduates of Eastern College and Oulton College who graduated in an eligible program of study with a full-time job offer in a priority occupation.
• NB Business Immigration (BI):
This is the stream for entrepreneurs. The minimum requirements include a net worth of $500,000 CAD, a minimum investment of $150,000 CAD, one full-time equivalent jobs for local Canadian citizens or permanent residents in job creation, CLB 5 in language proficiency, a high school, and three years of business experience in the last five years. They must score a minimum score of 65 out of 100 of the point grid for this stream.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
The NLPNP offers three categories for workers and two for entrepreneurs. All the worker categories require a minimum of a one-year job offer from an eligible NL employer.
• Express Entry Skilled Worker:
This stream is for EE candidates in the EE pool. They must score a minimum score of 67 out of 100 of the point grid for this stream.
• Skilled Worker:
This stream accepts all NOCs but does not accept post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders. Applicants with NOC TEER 4 or 5 job offers must have a valid language test report of CLB 4.
• International Graduate:
This stream entertains PGWP holders. A job offer in a NOC TEER 4 occupation is only accepted if it is an in-demand occupation; these applicants need to have a valid language test report of CLB 4. Out-of-province graduates must work for at least one year in the province before their NLPNP application submission. They are also required to hold a full-time position that is related to their Canadian post-secondary study.
• International Entrepreneur:
This category is comprised of two streams: Starting a New Business and Purchasing an Existing Business. The common eligibility criteria include $600,000 CAD net worth, $200,000 CAD investment, one full-time equivalent job for local Canadian citizens or permanent residents, CLB 5, a high school education, and two-year business experience in the last five years (for owner-managers) or five years in the last ten (for employee-managers).
• International Graduate Entrepreneur:
This category facilitates international graduates of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic who are PGWP holders. Their program of study must be a minimum of two-year, full-time, in-person study at the eligible institutions. A minimum of one year of ongoing active business operation in their own business, one full-time job creation for local Canadian citizens or permanent residents and CLB 7 in language are mandatory.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
The NSPNP has ten streams: Eight for workers and two for entrepreneurs. Other than streams for EE candidates, a full-time job offer is mandatory.
• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priority:
This stream is for EE candidates in the EE pool. To apply to the NSPNP, they must have been invited by the NSPNP through the EE.
• Labour Market Priorities for Physicians:
This stream is for EE candidates in the EE pool who are general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and NOC 31101). They must have an approved offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre. They will be invited to apply after the NSPNP is notified of their EE profile numbers and signed approved offers.
• Physician:
The selection criteria of this stream mirror that of the Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream except for candidates’ presence in the EE pool. Since applicants are not EE candidates, they can apply to the NSPNP once they have met the selection criteria.
• International Graduates in Demand:
This stream is for international graduates who completed their study within three years of the time of their application. They must have a full-time job offer in the following NOCs:
• NOC 32102 paramedical occupations
• NOC 32124 pharmacy technicians
• NOC 33102 nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
• NOC 42202 early childhood educators and assistants
Their studies must correspond to their job offers. During their studies, half of their time must be in Nova Scotia.
• Skilled Worker:
The stream is for foreign nationals who have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. They must have one year of work experience related to the offered position. NOC TEER 4 and 5 workers must have had six months of work experience with the employer. The minimum education requirement is high school. The minimum language requirement for high-skilled occupation applicants is CLB 5; for NOC TEER 4 and 5, CLB 4.
• Occupation in Demand:
This stream only entertains applicants who have a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in the NOCs listed below. They must have one year of related work experience:
• NOC 33102 nurse aides
• NOC 65200 food and beverage servers
• NOC 65201 food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
• NOC 65310 light duty cleaners
• NOC 73300 transport truck drivers
• NOC 73400 heavy equipment operators
• NOC 75110 construction trades helpers and labourers
• Critical Construction Worker Pilot:
This stream was launched in October 2023. It is for foreign nationals who have a permanent full-time job offer in an eligible NOC from a Nova Scotia employer. They must have one year of related work experience. Below list the eligible NOCs:
• NOC 70010 construction managers
• NOC 70011 home building and renovation managers
• NOC 72011 contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
• NOC 72014 contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
• NOC 72020 contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
• NOC 72106 welders and related machine operators
• NOC 72200 electricians (except industrial and power system)
• NOC 72201 industrial electricians
• NOC 72310 carpenters
• NOC 72320 bricklayers
• NOC 72401 heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• NOC 72500 crane operators
• NOC 73100 concrete finishers
• NOC 73102 plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
• NOC 73110 roofers and shinglers
• NOC 73200 residential and commercial installers and servicers
• NOC 73400 heavy equipment operators
• NOC 75101 material handlers
• NOC 75110 construction trades helpers and labourers
• NOC 75119 other trades helpers and labourers
• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry:
This stream is tailored for candidates in the EE pool who have at least one year of work experience in a high-skilled occupation in Nova Scotia. Candidates must have a high school diploma and must have attained a language level of CLB 7 if in NOC TEER 1 or 0, and CLB 5 if in NOC TEER 2 or 3.
• Entrepreneur:
This stream is for foreign entrepreneurs or senior managers who intend to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia. Mandatory requirements include a net worth of $600,000 CAD, investment of $150,000 CAD, one full-time equivalent job for local Canadian citizens or permanent residents, CLB 5 in language proficiency, three years (owner-manager) or more than five years (employee-manager) of business operation experience.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur:
This stream is for international graduates who have graduated from a minimum of a two-year, full-time academic program in a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. Applicants must hold a valid PGWP and have at least one year of experience managing their own business in Nova Scotia. Minimum language requirement is CLB 7.
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
The PEI PNP offers six streams for workers and one for entrepreneurs. Worker streams except the stream for EE candidates require a permanent full-time job offer that is of a minimum of two years in duration from a PEI employer.
• Skilled Worker
This stream is for foreign nationals who have a permanent full-time job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation that is of a minimum of two years from a PEI employer. Other mandatory requirements include two years of work experience, a two-year post-secondary education, CLB 4.
• Critical Worker
This stream entertains foreign nationals who have a permanent full-time job offer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation. Other mandatory requirements include six months of full-time employment for the PEI employer, two years of work experience or relevant education, CLB 4.
• Intermediate Experience
This stream is for candidates who have a job offer in NOC TEER 4 occupation. Other mandatory requirements include six months of related full-time Canadian work experience obtained on an LMIA-based work permit, high school education, two years of work experience or relevant education, CLB 4.
• International Graduate
This stream is for international graduates from a publicly-funded PEI post-secondary institution who also have a permanent full-time job offer that is of a minimum of two years from a PEI employer.
• Occupations in Demand
This stream only accepts candidates whose job offers are in one of the in-demand occupations:
• NOC 33102 nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
• NOC 73300 transport truck drivers
• NOC 75110 construction trades helpers and labourers
• NOC 65310 light duty cleaners
• NOC 95109 other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities)
• NOC 75101 material handlers
• NOC 94140 process control and machine operators food and beverage processing
• NOC 94141 industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
Candidates must have a high school education, one year of directly related work experience, and CLB 4 in language proficiency.
• PEI Express Entry
This is for EE candidates in the EE pool. Even though having a job offer is not mandatory for this stream, the newly developed PEI Provincial Nominee Program Eligibility Tool regards a job offer or current PEI employment as a prerequisite for all worker streams by default.
• Work Permit Stream
This stream is an entrepreneurial stream. The mandatory requirements include net worth of $600,000 CAD net worth, investment of $150,000 CLB 4 in language proficiency, and a high school education.
The selection criteria explained in the general outline of the Atlantic Provincial Nominee Programs presented in this article are not exhaustive and are for information purposes only. Provincial Nominee Program policies may change without warning. Anyone who plans to apply to an Atlantic nomination stream is recommended to check the intended stream thoroughly before applying. Detailed information relating to these Provincial Nominee Programs can be found on their respective websites below:
NBPNP: https://www.welcomenb.ca/content/wel-bien/en/immigrating/content/HowToImmigrate/NBProvincialNomineeProgram.html
NLPNP: https://www.gov.nl.ca/immigration/
NSPNP: https://novascotiaimmigration.com
PEI PNP: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/immigrate
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