Nova Scotia will launch a new immigration category in May 2021 – The International Graduates in Demand stream, an occupational category that is in short supply for international students. This category is suitable for international students whose skills and qualifications can match the near-term shortage of occupations in NS. In-demand occupation categories change from time to time, and so will the pool of candidates applying for that category. Immigration NSW will post updates on this immigration category on the NSOI website, including changes to the Occupation Demand List.

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Currently, the NSNP International Student Shortage Occupation Category is open to applicants in the following occupations:

• NOC 3413 : Nursing Assistants, Nursing Assistants and Patient Service Assistants
  
• NOC 4214 : Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  

It is very important that applicants must hold a full-time, long-term job offer in one of the above occupations offered by employers in NS before submitting an application. Full-time means working at least 30 hours a week, and long-term means there is no fixed end date for the work.

NSNP international students in short supply occupation category immigration application conditions

• The applicant holds a letter from a designated educational institution in the NS province stating that the applicant has met the requirements for completing one of the following categories of courses:
  • NOC 3413 : Nursing Assistants, Nursing Assistants and Patient Service Assistants
  • NOC 4214 : Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
    
• If based on an application under NOC 3413 , the applicant’s coursework must award a certificate, diploma or degree;
  
• If it is based on an application under NOC 4214 , the applicant’s program must confer a diploma or degree;
  
• The applicant’s study has been completed within three years before submitting the application, the course is at least 30 weeks long, and the applicant has completed at least 50% of the course while living in NS;
  
• The applicant holds a full-time, long-term job offer, related to the recent field of study, and the work place is in the NS province;
  
• The applicant holds the certification required for the job issued by the NS provincial regulatory body;
  
• The applicant is between the ages of 21-55;
  
• The applicant has a high school diploma;
  
• The applicant holds proof of immigration status from the current country of residence;
  
• the applicant intends to live in NS;
  
• The applicant’s employer is an employer in NS, which means:
  • If the employer is a commercial enterprise, it must be registered with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies and, as required by the Canada Income Tax Act, show that it is a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia;
  • If the employer is a non-profit organization, it must be registered under the Societies Act;
    
• The employer must have been operating in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years;
  
• The applicant receives adequate wages or salaries for their work;
  
• Applicants have a language level of CLB 5 in English or French.