Worker

1. April 17 2024 Pause: What It Means for NOC 62020

Nova Scotia paused all AIP endorsements and NSEEE nominations for Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020) after a flood of applications from the Accommodation & Food Services sector (NAICS 72).

1.1 NSEEE & AIP Restrictions Explained

• Under NSEEE - One-year work experience in NOC 62020 no longer qualifies.
• Under AIP - Job offers classified as NOC 62020 cannot be endorsed.

1.2 NAICS 72 Freeze – Key Exceptions

Food-service occupations outside NAICS 72 (e.g., corporate cafeterias, hospitals) may still secure NSNP nominations if the employer belongs to a different NAICS code.

2. Three-Step AIP Workflow at a Glance

2.1 Step 1 - Employer Designation

Without designation, employers cannot access AIP. Applications go through the online AIP portal (paper forms are samples only).

2.2 Step 2 - Position Endorsement

Each role needs a province-issued endorsement certificate, proving failed local recruitment and a robust settlement plan.

2.3 Step 3 - Foreign Worker PR Application

Endorsed workers apply for PR directly to IRCC and may request a one-year employer-specific work permit using the province’s referral letter.

3. Employer Designation: Detailed Requirements

3.1 Good-Standing Business Criteria

• Registered, active Nova Scotia business number
• Clean employment-standards history (no wage orders)

3.2 Settlement & Retention Commitments

Employers must partner with an approved service-provider organization (e.g., ISANS) to craft individualized newcomer plans covering housing, banking, and community integration.

3.3 Mandatory Training & On-boarding

Key executives complete immigration-onboarding and, where flagged, intercultural-competency modules before endorsements are approved.

4. Position Endorsement: Crafting a Winning Job Offer

4.1 Labour-Market Recruiting Efforts

Postings on Job Bank, CareerBeacon, and industry boards for at least four consecutive weeks demonstrate genuine intent to hire provincially first.

4.2 Settlement Plans & Worker Sign-Off

Plans outline school enrollment options, spouse employment resources, and community supports, ensuring retention beyond the three-year mark.

5. Foreign Worker Application Essentials

5.1 Endorsement Certificate & Work-Permit Letter

Attach endorsement and provincial referral letter to IRCC application; pay the CAD 1 365 PR fee (principal applicant) plus biometrics.

5.2 Proof-of-Funds & Medical Exams

Funds mirror Express Entry tables (CAD 14 690 for one, CAD 22 483 for a family of three). Some health-care roles require up-front medicals.

6. Key Eligibility Table – Employers & Workers

7. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Expired Designation - Re-apply every two years; endorsements become invalid if designation lapses.
• NOC Mismatch - Double-check 2021 NOC code; IRCC rejects applications with legacy codes.
• Settlement Plan Gaps - Plans missing childcare or schooling details often trigger delays.

8. Conclusion & Next Steps

Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Immigration Program remains a flagship route for employers battling skill gaps and for foreign talent seeking quick, LMIA-free permanent residency. Despite the targeted pause for NOC 62020, hundreds of designations and endorsements are still issued monthly across tech, health care, and skilled trades. Whether you’re an employer eager to fill critical positions or a worker eyeing Atlantic Canada’s high quality of life, the roadmap is clear: secure designation, lock in your endorsement, and submit a bulletproof PR package.