At Nova Scotia Health, we understand that immigration can be a complex and challenging process, which is why we have an Immigration Team available to assist employees with any concerns regarding immigration to Canada.
Employer support
The Immigration Team ensures that all international employees have the necessary authorization to work from the time of hire and throughout their employment.
We identify the immigration support needs of the international healthcare pipeline as part of our strategic and proactive approach to welcoming potential candidates for current and future job openings.
We also assist internationally educated professionals in starting, continuing, or permanently staying employed with Nova Scotia Health through employer-based immigration pathways which facilitate the hiring and retention of skilled workers.
Immigration services
The Immigration Team also offers individual immigration support, separate from employer based immigration processes, for internationally educated professionals in specific healthcare roles, such as internationally trained physicians, respiratory therapists, physician assistants, medical laboratory professionals, pharmacists and diagnostic imaging professionals. Immigration services are currently prioritized for these roles and most often support candidates residing outside Canada, depending on the role and operational needs.
Recruitment of Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals
Nova Scotia Health is actively working to hire internationally educated health care professionals based on the specific needs of our communities. To learn more about the recruitment process for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals, visit: Support for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (nshealth.ca).
Please note that if you need a work permit to start or continue working with Nova Scotia Health, once you have a job offer, your hiring manager will work with our Immigration Team for assistance.
If you have questions concerning the application process, please reach out to internationalrecruitment@nshealth.ca. For internationally trained physicians, contact ITPimmigration@nshealth.ca.
Working Here - Immigration to Canada
To work in Canada, most foreign nationals are required to obtain a work permit. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to determine if you require a work permit and for instructions on how to apply.
Learn about Immigrating to Canada/ Nova Scotia
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website is the primary source of information, followed by Nova Scotia Immigration, for information on the different options for immigrating to Canada.
- www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html
- www.novascotiaimmigration.com
Work Permits
A foreign national must have a valid work permit or work authorization to work in Canada.
There are two types of work permits in Canada: employer-specific and open work permits. See who can apply here.
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada but usually cannot be extended.
An employer-specific work permit allows you to work in Canada based on specific conditions such as employer, location, and length. This type of work permit requires an approved LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) or an LMIA exemption. For example, an employer can support an employee towards permanent residence in Canada based on their employment and support an LMIA exemption for a work permit.
Work Permit Pathways at Nova Scotia Health
Nova Scotia Health primarily supports employer-specific work permit pathways through LMIA-exempt categories under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Support for work permit pathways is assessed only after a candidate has received a formal job offer from Nova Scotia Health and is based on the requirements of the position and the candidate’s eligibility. For candidates already in Canada with valid work authorization, immigration support may be considered based on internal processes and organizational priorities.
LMIA-based applications are not typically used and are only considered in very limited circumstances.
International Students
International students studying in Canada are eligible to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. Upon completion of their studies, they may be permitted to work if they have already applied for a work permit before their study permit expires or are starting a new study program.
To learn more about off-campus work, please visit the IRCC website.
International students are responsible for ensuring they meet the conditions of their study permit and can demonstrate their authorization to work in Canada.
Immigration Support Through Employer Driven Programs
Nova Scotia Health may provide employer support for permanent, full-time employees through provincially administered immigration programs—most commonly the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). These programs are employer-driven or employer-supported, but they are managed entirely by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.
These programs operate under provincially managed intake systems that use Expression of Interest (EOI) processes. Candidates are selected at the province’s discretion based on labour market needs, program limits, and broader immigration priorities.
Applicants cannot submit EOIs to multiple programs and submission doesn’t guarantee processing, as only candidates selected by the province may proceed. Nova Scotia Health does not have jurisdiction over provincial priorities or processing timelines. For further details, please refer to the province’s resources: Nova Scotia Nominee Program | Live in NS
Note on Immigration Support Intake: Nova Scotia Health uses an internal intake process to manage requests for immigration support. Meeting program requirements of a specific immigration program does not guarantee support, as internal criteria — such as role type, length of employment in the job being supported for immigration purposes and organizational priorities — also apply. These criteria help ensure support aligns with staffing needs and capacity.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal immigration program that aims to fulfill the labour market requirements of the Atlantic Provinces. This program is employer-driven, meaning that the employers must first be designated by the government of the Atlantic province where the candidate will be employed.
Nova Scotia Health is a proud designated employer under the AIP and reserves the right to determine which positions are eligible for this program based on urgent staffing needs and workforce retention priorities. Internal criteria are used to assess whether a position may be supported, and these may change based on organizational needs and capacity.
Positions may be considered for AIP support in the following circumstances, provided the candidate meets program requirements:
- Healthcare roles identified as hard to fill (direct patient care or diagnostic services typically requiring licensing), where vacancies and operational needs exist. AIP may be considered at hire, including for candidates outside Canada.
- Other positions classified under National Occupation Classifications (NOC) TEER 0-3 may be considered primarily as a retention pathway and require either:
– a minimum of 12 months (1,560 hours) of full-time work experience with Nova Scotia Health in the position being supported, or holding a work permit expiring within the next 12 months - Positions classified under NOC TEER 4 may be considered primarily as a retention pathway and require either:
– a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience with Nova Scotia Health in the position being supported, or holding a work permit expiring within the next 12 months
All positions endorsed under the AIP must be permanent, full-time (at least 30 hours per week).
As endorsement is tied to a specific position, changes to the role or occupation during the intake or endorsement process may require reassessment, and approval by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration is not guaranteed
The employer must also confirm that the candidate meets AIP program requirements before submitting an endorsement application.
Additional information from the Nova Scotia government about the Atlantic Immigration Program can be found here.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an immigration program that targets prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience to boost the province’s economy and tackle demographic challenges. Through the NSNP, prospective newcomers who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate.
Nova Scotia Health is pleased to offer Employer Support for immigration purposes under the NSNP to foreign national employees who hold permanent full-time positions or 0.8 (30 hours per week) and wish to remain working and apply for Permanent Residence based on their employment with Nova Scotia Health.
It is important to review the different NSNP streams and ensure that you meet their program requirements and have the corresponding documentation.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) – Pictou County
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a federal, employer-driven permanent residence program that supports the labour market needs of designated rural communities, including Pictou County. Participating communities identify priority occupations, and designated employers may recommend eligible candidates for community recommendation. Nova Scotia Health is a designated employer under the RCIP and may consider this a potential pathway where a position aligns with organizational needs and community-identified priorities, and where the candidate meets internal eligibility criteria for immigration support.
The program is selection-based, similar to an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, meaning that meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection or processing.
RCIP is not available upon request. Where appropriate, the Immigration Team will assess whether RCIP may be a suitable option based on the position and the candidate’s profile. Positions may be considered for RCIP support in the following circumstances, provided the candidate meets program requirements and the role aligns with priority occupations identified for Pictou County:
- Healthcare roles identified as hard to fill (direct patient care or diagnostic services typically requiring licensing), where vacancies and operational needs exist. RCIP may be considered at hire, including for candidates outside Canada.
- Other positions classified under NOC TEER 0- 5 may be considered primarily as a retention pathway and require either:
– a minimum of 12 months (1,560 hours) of full-time work experience with Nova Scotia Health in the position being supported, or holding a work permit expiring within the next 12 months
All positions supported under the RCIP must be permanent, full-time (at least 30 hours per week). As participation is tied to a specific position within a participating community, changes to the role or occupation during the process may require reassessment and are not guaranteed to be approved.
Final selection and recommendation decisions are made by the community and program partners. Nova Scotia Health does not have jurisdiction over community priorities, intake decisions, or processing timelines.
Additional information about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot is available through:
Rural Community Immigration Pilot - Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Rural Community Immigration Pilots: Who can apply - Canada.ca
Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
The social insurance number is a unique 9-digit number that everyone needs in order to work in Canada.
Foreign nationals can apply for a SIN as soon as they have a valid study or work permit.
Employment Rights
In Canada, the rights of all workers—including temporary foreign workers— are protected by law. If you are a temporary foreign worker, you have the same rights and workplace protections as Canadians and permanent residents.
- Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers): SOR/2022-142
- Get to know your rights while working in Canada
- Temporary foreign workers: Your rights are protected
Living in Nova Scotia
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
ISANS is the leading immigrant settlement service agency in Atlantic Canada, serving 10,000+ clients annually in 104 communities across Nova Scotia, through many kinds of services—language, settlement, community integration, and employment—both in person and online.
YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs
Nova Scotia Start offers information and support for newcomers.
Learn more about Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia, Canada from Nova Scotia Health Authority
- https://novascotiaimmigration.com/resources/#move-here
- Nova Scotia Heath’s locations
Contact
For any questions on international recruitment, please contact us at InternationalRecruitment@nshealth.ca
For any questions on immigration support for internationally trained physicians, please contact us at ITPimmigration@nshealth.ca
If you are a Nova Scotia Health employee and would like information on immigration support, please contact us at immigration@nshealth.ca
YourHealthNS App
Much of Nova Scotia's healthcare program and service information is now available on the YourHealthNS mobile app. Download for free on the Apple Store and Android Apps for Google Play.
