If you’re new to Nova Scotia, we can help connect you to some important resources. Here you’ll find everything you need to build a life in Nova Scotia.
Get to know the common terms used during the immigration process. Go to Common Terms.
Labour, Skills and Immigration has a number of policies. The following policies are common to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program. Current policies include:
Language Standards and Mandatory Testing Information
IRCC Federal Application Checklists
Nova Scotia Start
Tools and Programs
Living in Canada Tool
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
YMCA Centre for Immigration Programs
Immigration Francophone Nouvelle-Écosse
Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE)
Immigration Francophone
Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE)
Newcomer's Guide to Halifax
Necessary Documents
Apply for a Health Card – MSI
Permanent Residence Card
Permanent Residence Card Application
Social Insurance Number
Service Canada Offices
Banking Programs for Newcomers
Find a bank
BMO Newcomers to Canada
CIBC New to Canada
Credit Union Atlantic New Canadian Program
HSBC Moving to Canada
RBC Immigrating to Canada
ScotiaBank Start Right
TD Welcome to Canada
Housing
CMHC
Residential Tenancies Guide
Buying a house: Residential Tenancies
Buying a house: NS Realtors
Insurance Canada: Property Insurance
Language Training
Learn English Nova Scotia
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Halifax Regional School Board EAL
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia Language Services
Halifax Public Libraries Resources for ELL learners
NSCC – English for Academic Purposes
Valley ESL
Apex Language & Career College
International Language Institute (ILI)
Canadian Language Learning College
Health Care
NS Department of Health
Health Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Emergency Health Services
Mental Health Resources
Capital Health Mental Health Services
Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association
Public Health Agency of Canada
Child Care
Child Care Connection Nova Scotia: Child Care Directory
Department of Community Services: Child Care Directory, Subsidy information, and guides for families
Welcome to Families Canada
Child Care Tax Benefit information and application forms
Education
Directory of Public Schools
Regional School Boards
Information on study permits
Information about home schooling
Adult Learning
Legal Services
To find a lawyer: Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Legal Aid
Halifax Refugee Clinic
Rights
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Nova Scotia Human Rights Act
Citizenship and Immigration
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Taxes
Visit our Finding a Job page for more job search resources.
Resources
Nova Scotia Government Job Bank
Career Beacon Job Site
Nova Scotia Works
Healthcare Jobs in Nova Scotia
Foreign Credentials Referral Office
Working in Canada
Careers Nova Scotia
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia – Employment
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia – Self-Employment and Business
Planning to Work in Canada Workbook
“Welcome to Canada: What You Should Know”
Nova Scotia Careers in Demand 2019-2021
Connections: An immigrant’s guide to starting a business in Nova Scotia
Regional Resources
Halifax Chamber of Commerce
Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce
Cape Breton Partnership
Halifax Partnership
Regional Enterprise Networks (RENs)
Get Connected
Digital Nova Scotia
The industry association representing the tech sector in Nova Scotia.
Volta
Network Membership offers our community of innovators, tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs a safe place to work, learn, and connect. Learn more.
Onside
Focused on working collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to inspire a prosperous Nova Scotia. Learn more.
Invest Nova Scotia
You’re inventive, organized, and ready to step up your game. Invest Nova Scotia is here to help and invest in Nova Scotia’s entrepreneurs. Learn more.
Ignite
Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large industries all benefit from the structure, mentorship, and opportunities. Learn more.
Fusion HFX
Fusion Halifax is a volunteer run, non-profit organization that believes young leaders are an incredibly valuable part of any community. Learn more.
Screen Nova Scotia
A film commission and industry association dedicated to building a strong and sustainable future for the province’s production sector. Learn more.
Black Business Initiative
We are the longest-serving Black business development initiative in Canada and are dedicated to supporting companies to start, grow, and compete in the mainstream business community. Learn more.
Centre for Women in Business
The Centre for Women in Business is dedicated to helping women across the province succeed as entrepreneurs through exposure, connection, and learning. Learn more.
Association of Industry Sector Councils
The Association of Industry Sector Councils represents the interests of 32,000 small-and medium-sized businesses and 370,000 workers and their families, all over the province. Learn more.
National Working Group on Small Centre Strategies Toolbox
Settlement Services
211 Community and Social Services
211 is a service offered in Nova Scotia to help residents find community and social services. By dialing 211 on your phone or visiting the 211 website, users will easily and quickly be connected to the community and social services they need, wherever they are in the province. 211 offers interpretation services for over 100 languages. Learn more.
Useful Tools and Guides
HR Tool Kit
Employer’s Road Map
Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia Services for Employers
Halifax Partnership’s Resources for Hiring an Immigrant
Seeking Out Candidates
Nova Scotia Healthy Authority
Nova Scotia Continuing Care Assistants
Halifax Career Fair
Halifax Partnership Connector Program
Job Bank
Careers Nova Scotia
Career Beacon
Nova Scotia Works
Nova Scotia Government Jobs
Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker
IRCC Application
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Service Canada Offices in Nova Scotia
Countries and territories that require a temporary resident visa to enter Canada
Hiring an International Student or Graduate
Student work permit
Post-graduation work permit program
Universities’ Programs
Acadia University Wong International Centre
Acadia University Career Services
Dalhousie University Information for employers
Mount Saint Vincent University Information for employers
Nova Scotia Agriculture College (Dalhousie) Career Support
St. Francis Xavier University Student Career Centre
Saint Mary's University Student Employment Center
Cape Breton University Student Services Centre
Nova Scotia College of Art & Design Student Services
Universite St. Anne Student Jobs
The Government of Nova Scotia is working with the YMCA to support Ukrainian newcomers arriving in Nova Scotia. We’re also streamlining the immigration process for Ukrainians who want to move here.
Support for Ukrainian Newcomers
The YMCA of Halifax has information for Ukrainians settling in Nova Scotia, including information about finding housing and jobs, accessing healthcare, taking language classes and enrolling children in school.
Immigration Programs
There are several immigration programs available to help you settle in Nova Scotia. Contact one of our community navigators to learn more about available programs.
Immigration Information Sessions
We hosted an online information sessions about how Ukrainians can immigrate to Nova Scotia. The sessions included information from the Government of Canada about temporary federal measures for Ukrainians coming to Canada.
We’ll post information about the sessions on our website, on Facebook and on Twitter. See all our contact information.
To receive information about our information sessions, check out our Events page.
Federal Government Programs and Services
How Nova Scotians Can Help
The YMCA has information for Nova Scotians who want to help Ukrainian newcomers by making a donation, offering housing or offering a job.