Overview
This is a narrow but valuable pathway. It is limited to four occupation categories where Nova Scotia has confirmed shortages, and each carries its own credential requirement. Where it fits, it fits well: the occupations sit squarely inside the province's healthcare priorities.
These occupations sit close to the province's priorities
Healthcare occupations at TEER 0 to 4 are the province's top selection priority and the only category open to candidates applying from outside Canada. Graduates of these programmes are also typically already living and working in Nova Scotia, which matters under the framework's second and third levels. Eligibility and selection remain separate questions, meeting the criteria does not mean your submission will be drawn.
Best suited to: graduates of paramedical, pharmacy technician, nurse aide or early childhood education programmes at a Nova Scotia institution, holding a matching job offer.
Eligibility
- Job offer. Full-time and permanent, from a Nova Scotia employer, in one of the four job categories below, corresponding with your recent field of study.
- Education. You have met the requirements for completing a programme of study at an eligible Nova Scotia designated learning institution within three years of your application.
- Programme length. At least 30 weeks, or 24 weeks for NOC 33102, nurse aides and continuing care assistants.
- Where you studied. At least 50% of the programme completed in Nova Scotia.
- Credential type. A diploma for NOC 32102 and 32124; a certificate, diploma or degree for NOC 33102; a diploma or degree for NOC 42202.
- Age. 19 to 55.
- Language. CLB 5.
- Certification. Any certifications required for the job by Nova Scotia regulatory bodies.
- Education floor. A high school diploma.
- Financial capacity. Sufficient resources to settle in Nova Scotia.
Eligible occupations
| NOC | Occupation | Credential required |
|---|---|---|
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations | Diploma |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians | Diploma |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | Certificate, diploma or degree |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants | Diploma or degree |
The province describes this stream as currently open to these categories. The list is set by Nova Scotia and can change; we re-check it monthly and date this page accordingly.
The process, step by step
- Confirm the programme and the timelineWe verify the institution's eligibility, the programme length, the share of study completed in Nova Scotia, and that your completion date sits inside the three-year window.
- Confirm the job offer matchesThe offer must fall in one of the four categories and correspond with your recent field of study, the correspondence is where these files most often run into trouble.
- Expression of InterestA complete, documented EOI, free to submit and valid for 12 months.
- Selection and assessmentFrom 1 September 2026, a $1,000 fee is payable within 7 calendar days of the selection notification.
- Nomination, then permanent residenceYou have 12 months from the nomination certificate to apply to IRCC, which makes the final decision.
Graduate stream requirements checker
A structured way to see where you stand against the published criteria. It returns an indication only, not an eligibility decision, not legal advice, and not a prediction of selection.
Your situation
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