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

• Have a profile registered in the Express Entry pool;
• Be between the ages of 21 and 55;
• Have at least 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) paid skilled work experience in Nova Scotia in the three years before the application is made;
• The work experience cannot have been gained through self-employment or while studying full-time.
• Volunteer work, unpaid internships, co-op terms, etc. do not count.
• The work experience must be in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B occupation.
• Have gained their experience in the province of Nova Scotia with the proper authorization (work permit, etc.);
• Have completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary educational credential; OR
• Have completed a foreign educational credential from a recognized institution/authority AND have anEducational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
• Demonstrate sufficient language ability in all four components (speaking, reading, writing, and listening);
• These levels are CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A and CLB 5 for NOC B.
• Language test results must come from one of the following designated testing agencies:
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (General Training test) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) — General test for English; or
• Test d'Evaluation Du Français (TEF) for French.
• Demonstrate that they will become economically established in Nova Scotia and that they intend to live in the province permanently.

Candidates should not apply if they are:

• An individual whose 12 months full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in the three years prior to their application is not based in Nova Scotia;
• Intending to work in an occupation that is a NOC level C or D;
• A grandparent, parent, spouse, or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
• An applicant under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, a refugee claimant or a failed refugee claimant;
• In Canada illegally, under a removal order, or are prohibited from entering or being in Canada;
• Not legally present in their country of residence;
• An individual who does not have status;
• An international student who is currently studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution;
• An international graduate who has studied in Canada, whose studies have been sponsored by an agency or government and who is contractually obligated to return to their country of origin;
• On a valid federal post-graduation work permit whose occupation falls under NOC skill level C or D;
• An individual with unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any dependent;
• In a sales position that is based solely on commission for compensation;
• An individual in Canada who is in the Caregiver Program;
• Intending to start a business and/or be self-employed in Nova Scotia; or
• A passive investor (an individual who intend to invest in a Nova Scotia business with very limited or no involvement in the day-to-day management of the business).