Good Times In The Maritimes

Eastern provinces launch Canadian immigration streams aligned with federal Express Entry immigration selection system

The Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, both located in the Maritimes region of Eastern Canada, have this month both announced new immigration streams that aim to attract skilled newcomers from abroad. These ‘enhanced’ streams are aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system, which strives to process complete applications within six months of submission.

Neither of these immigration streams require a job offer from a Canadian employer in order for an application to be made. However, candidates must be eligible for at least one of the federal economic immigration programs processed through Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.

New Brunswick Express Entry Labour Market Stream

This stream functions on an Expression of Interest (EOI) model. Candidates may complete an EOI form and send it to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), which receives forms from the 1st to the 15th of each month. Candidates are assigned a score based on the information provided, after which they are assessed according to the following criteria:

Highest score;
Evidence of training and experience in a high priority sector as determined by the province;
Demonstrated ability to become economically established in the province; and
The likelihood of positively contributing to the provincial labour market.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

All eligibility criteria and selection factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (obtaining at least 67 points out of 100);
Provincial criteria, including age (22–55, inclusive); and
A signed commitment to live and work in New Brunswick.

The highest ranked candidates are invited to apply to the NBPNP by email. Applicants to the NBPNP through this stream are processed through the federal government’s Express Entry system. Documented proof of ability to meet all eligibility criteria is required for the NBPNP assessment stage, as well as the federal stage once an Invitation to Apply has been issued through the Express Entry system.

Candidates expressing their interest under this immigration stream are required to have language test scores and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) result (if their education was obtained outside Canada) acceptable to the government of Canada, and document their work experience.

The aforementioned provincial criteria includes a points assessment grid, whereby candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 in order to be eligible. Selection factors include language ability in English and/or French, level of education, work experience, age, whether or not the candidate has an arranged offer of employment in an occupation that falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B, and adaptability. The points assessment grid is very similar to the equivalent grid for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, with some minor adjustments to reflect the needs of New Brunswick.

Learn more about the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program and eligibility criteria for the Express Entry Labour Market Stream, including information on which individuals are ineligible to apply to the stream.

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

When Nova Scotia introduced this stream earlier this month, it became the first province to have two immigration streams aligned with the federal Express Entry system. (The launch of Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry was covered by CICnews in January, 2015.)

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for highly skilled applicants who have worked for a Nova Scotia employer for at least one year.

In order to be eligible for Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, candidates must:

Be between the ages of 21 and 55;
Have at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before the application is made;
Have gained your experience in Nova Scotia with the proper authorization (work permit, etc.);
Have completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by CIC if the educational credential was obtained outside Canada;
Meet the required language levels needed for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening). These levels are CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A and CLB 5 for NOC B; and
Demonstrate that they will become economically established in Nova Scotia and that they intend to live in the province permanently.

There are two application routes to the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream. Candidates may either apply directly to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) or be selected from the federal Express Entry pool by the NSOI. In either case, the principal applicant will need to submit a complete application to the NSOI.

Learn more about the Nova Scotia Nominee Program and eligibility criteria for the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream, including information on which individuals are ineligible to apply to the stream.

The reaction

“With the advent of Express Entry in 2015, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are using their respective Provincial Nominee Programs in a dynamic, forward-thinking way. They are approaching immigration as a more active process, in doing so ensuring that they attract and retain highly-skilled newcomers who possess the tools to succeed,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“With obtaining an enhanced provincial nomination certificate such a game-changer under Express Entry — triggering an Invitation to Apply, in effect — candidates thinking seriously about immigrating to Canada would be well advised to look toward these programs, as well as other Provincial Nominee Programs.”

To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs processed through Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment today.