1. Immigration in Nova Scotia May 2016

2. Pathways to Immigration Economic Class Federal Skilled Worker Canadian Experience Class Business Immigrant (includes Start-Up Visa) Caregivers Provincial Nominee Programs Spouses, Partners & Children Parents and grandparents (Super-visa) Government Assisted Refugees Privately Sponsored Refugees Protected Persons in Canada and Dependents Abroad Visa Office Referred Humanitarian and Compassionat e Family Class Protected Persons Class Other Skilled Worker Federal Skilled Trades Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Federal Immigration Streams NS Nominee Program Streams NS Nominee Program Streams temporarily suspended Other Relatives Nova Scotia Experience : Express Entry Entrepreneur International Graduate Entrepreneu r

3. Provincial Context NSOI advancing an action-oriented approach with the aim to maximize all immigration pathways Focused on retention Aligned with economy & labour market (international student opportunity; employers/job offers critical; future major projects and business investments) Cannot just be government – partners are critical Balance of flexibility with program integrity Accessible staff; ability to contact the office

4. Office of Immigration Approach Action-oriented Primary goal to maximize all immigration pathways Align immigration with economic context – employment Focus efforts on retention Balance of flexibility with program integrity Accessible staff; ability to contact the office

5. Delivering Key Results Stakeholder engagement Pan-provincial community conversations on immigration: Summer 2015 Immigration Summit Oct 2015 Realigned PNP to be responsive First province in Canada to launch an Express Entry immigration stream Second Express Entry stream focused on int’l students and TFWs Two new business streams: Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur (first of its kind in Canada) Advocacy Increased nominee allocation from 700 to 1350 (maintained for 2016!) Retention Integrated approach to settlement services 74% retention (up from 48% in the early 2000s)

6. Looking Forward Snapshot of some key goals for 2016 Maximizing all immigration pathways Business streams – implementation Cross-government, targeted recruitment: international and secondary Electronic processing/e-portal Continuing to support refugee efforts

7. Attraction & Retention International & Domestic Recruitment Fairs Partner with other Atlantic Provinces Help employers find talent to fill skills gaps Examples: April 2015 – Working In (London/Dublin) IT – 25 job postings; 6 jobs offered Gaming – 14 job postings; 4 jobs offered Financial/Insurance – 4 job postings; 1 job offered Trades/Construction – 6 job postings; 6 jobs offered Defence/Ocean Tech – 5 job postings; 3 jobs offered Hospitality – 9 job postings; 12 jobs offered Total job postings – 63; total jobs offered 32

8. NSOI Programs

9. Nova Scotia Nominee Program Province selects and nominates individuals who will contribute to labour market and economy No fees to apply Five streams currently: Skilled Worker Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry (currently on pause) Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Two business streams opened on January 1, 2016 Entrepreneur International Graduate Entrepreneur

10. Skilled Worker Stream Focus on high skilled (NOC O,A,B) with permanent, full time job offer from a NS employer NOC C & D considered on a case-by-case basis (requires 6 months work experience in NS) Age 21 to 55 Canadian high school equivalency of 12 years Related work experience of 1 year English or French language ability to a CLB Level 5 (mandatory testing on case-by-case basis) Financial resources and settlement supports

11. Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Focused on high skill, high human capital applicants (NOC 0, A, B) who can quickly attach to the labour market, via: A job offer from a NS employer; or Work experience in a high demand occupation Points matrix used for assessment (minimum of 67 points required) on 6 selection factors: Education Age Language Work Experience Arranged Employment Adaptability Leverages new federal Express Entry system (mirrors FSW)

12. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Focused on high skill, high human capital applicants (NOC 0, A, B) who can quickly attach to the labour market. 1 year work experience in NS, in the last 3 years. Pass/Fail used for assessment on 5 selection factors: Education Age Language Work Experience Intention to reside in NS Leverages new federal Express Entry system (mirrors CEC)

13. Business Streams Entrepreneur stream: aimed at individuals wishing to start or acquire a business while settling permanently in Nova Scotia. Similar to other provincial business streams International Graduate Entrepreneur stream: for individuals who have graduated from a NS university or NSCC and have started a business and intend to settle permanently in NS. Unique in Canada Design includes several measures to enhance program integrity and to mitigate risk: Online “Expression of Interest” System Temporary to Permanent model Third party verification of criteria (net worth, financial statements) Monitoring and other process measures

14. Business Stream Minimum Requirements EntrepreneurInternational Graduate Entrepreneur TR to PR2 year Business Performance Agreement before nomination with NSOI supported work permit 1 year of operating business on Post Grad Work Permit Net Worth & Investment $600,000 $150,000 n/a Age21 minimum (no max, but no points after 55) EducationCanadian high school diploma or equivalent Post-secondary from NS university or NSCC (at least 2 years) LanguageCLB 5CLB 7 Experience3 years of ownership experience or more than 5 years as senior manager n/a BusinessRealistic business plan demonstrating understanding of the NS economy Viable business, verified by financial statements; e.g. owner drawing salary

15. Contact Info Mary Jane (MJ) MacKinnon Director of Stakeholder Engagement Nova Scotia Office of Immigration Phone: (902) 424-6241 Email: maryjane.mackinnon@novascotia.camaryjane.mackinnon@novascotia.ca @nsimmigration novascotiaimmigration.com