Nova Scotia: Calling for International Healthcare Workers

Nova Scotia, the picturesque province of Canada, is rolling out the red carpet for international healthcare workers. Through the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), a gateway to Canadian permanent residency, the province is welcoming foreign talents to address the pressing demands of its healthcare sector.

Nova Scotia Supports

The new stream, called “International Graduates in Demand (IGD),” is a game-changer for international students aspiring to become paramedics and pharmacy technicians. Nova Scotia’s commitment to immigration has tripled over the last two decades, and now it’s taking a bold step to further boost its labor force and economic prospects.

Nova Scotia’s healthcare sector is experiencing unprecedented growth and change, and the IGD stream aims to alleviate the pressure by offering opportunities to international graduates with the right skills.

According to Statistics Canada, job vacancies in healthcare occupations reached an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2022, more than doubling the numbers from 2019. As the world grapples with a growing need for healthcare professionals, Nova Scotia is strategically positioning itself as a welcoming destination for those willing to make a difference.

The occupations currently eligible for the IGD PNP stream in Nova Scotia are diverse, catering to a wide spectrum of healthcare roles. These include nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates, early childhood educators and assistants, and the recently expanded eligibility for paramedics and pharmacy technicians.

The demand for registered nurses, personal support workers, and healthcare aides further emphasizes the province’s commitment to a robust and thriving healthcare system.

To be eligible for immigration through the IGD PNP stream, applicants must meet specific criteria. They should possess a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an eligible healthcare occupation, be aged between 21 and 55, have completed at least a high school education, and have undertaken a course of study lasting at least 30 weeks, with half of the program completed in Nova Scotia.

Additionally, they should have the necessary certifications, language proficiency at level 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), and the financial means to settle in Nova Scotia.

Applying for immigration through the IGD PNP stream is a streamlined process. Applicants need to upload the required documents and submit a completed application on the government website. Once approved, they can apply for permanent residency directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within six months of receiving their provincial nomination certificate.

To facilitate their transition, applicants can request a Letter of Support for a temporary work permit from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), allowing them to reside in Nova Scotia during the application process.

The future for healthcare workers in Nova Scotia looks promising. According to the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), there will be approximately 7.7 million job openings in Canada between 2022 and 2031.

A significant portion of these openings, driven by employment growth and retirement replacements, underscores the continued demand for healthcare professionals. With over half of the new immigrants expected to pursue roles requiring postsecondary education or management positions, the IGD PNP stream offers a remarkable opportunity for international graduates.

The Government of Canada’s substantial investment of nearly $200 billion over a decade, including substantial funding for healthcare, complements Nova Scotia’s initiative. This investment aims to enhance healthcare services across the nation, ensuring access to high-quality family health services, a resilient healthcare workforce, equitable mental health services, and electronic health information for all Canadians.

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