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 specialized immigration assistance 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.
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.
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.
Immigration Support Through Provincial 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.
Please note that Nova Scotia Health does not control the decision-making, eligibility criteria, or processing times for these programs. All decisions and timelines are determined by the provincial immigration office. For the most current information, including program updates and application guidance, please visit the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) website.
Note on Immigration Support Intake: Nova Scotia Health uses an internal intake process to manage requests for immigration support. Meeting program requirements 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 is aligned with staffing needs and capacity.
🔔 Important Update (2025): The Province of Nova Scotia has announced changes to its immigration programs in response to federally imposed immigration caps. These changes are affecting how applications are prioritized and processed. Learn more here: Nova Scotia Immigration Update – 2025 | Live in NS.
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 requirements and skilled worker retention needs. NSH has established specific criteria to evaluate positions to be endorsed under the AIP. However, these criteria may change based on NSH's needs and capacity.
The current criteria used by NSH for positions to be endorsed under the AIP include the following:
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Healthcare (patient care and allied support) roles identified as hard to fill due to both a vacancy / labour gap and demonstrated organizational or operational need.
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Positions that fall under National Occupation Classifications (NOC) TEER 0,1,2,3 require a minimum of 12 months (1 year) of full-time work experience in the Nova Scotia Health position being supported.
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Positions classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 4 require a minimum of 24 months (2 years) of full-time work experience in the Nova Scotia Health position being supported.
All Positions Endorsed under the AIP must be permanent, full-time (at least 30 hours per week).
In addition, the employer must also determine that the employee/candidate meets the AIP program requirements before applying to Endorse a position/candidate.
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.
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.
