Nova Scotia Immigration targets increase this 2022-23.
In 2021, the province of Nova Scotia welcomed 9,025 new immigrants. This number is 19% higher than immigrants received in 2019. This year, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the allocation to 5,340 for NSNP and 1,173 for AIP. Allocations are based on the country’s targeted immigration levels plan.
Jill Balser, Minister of Labor Skills and Immigration said, “Population growth is vital to our economic success. We have been preparing for growth, working with employers, communities, and settlement organizations to get ready for more people to call Nova Scotia home.”
In preparation for population growth, the province is investing $1 million in immigration marketing campaigns and $1.4 million in settlement services.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Introduced in 2017, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) started as a pilot program to entice skilled immigrants to settle in one of the four Atlantic provinces. It was later made into a permanent program in January 2022.
The program supports Atlantic Canada employers to employ foreign workers without needing to go through the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. If a foreign talent is accepted by an eligible employer, they can invite the foreign talent to apply for the program.
In 2020, AIP welcomed 1,564 immigrants to Nova Scotia, helping the province reach a population of 1 million for the first time in history.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Like other Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia also operates its immigration nomination program. The NSNP is independent of other immigration programs and offers nine pathways to permanent residency in Nova Scotia.
These pathways include:
- Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities
- Nova Scotia Experience
- Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities for Physicians
- Physicians
- Skilled Worker Stream
- Occupation: In-Demand Stream
- International Graduates: In-Demand Stream
- International Graduates: Entrepreneur Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream
You can learn more about the Nova Scotia Immigration programs here.
Atlantic Canada Immigration Success
Nova Scotia grew its population due to the NSNP and Atlantic Immigration programs. Between 2017 to 2021, the province welcomed over 10,000 new immigrants, with around 91% permanently staying in the province. This is one of the highest retention rates across entire Canada.
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