The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an employer-driven pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers and new graduates. In order to utilize the AIP, employers must first become designated by the province where they operate. They can then offer jobs to qualified candidates, and endorse those candidates under the AIP. Candidates may be eligible to apply for a work permit (if required), and permanent residence in Canada.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an applicant-led process, meaning employers don’t submit the applications. There are different streams of the NSNP, which are available to view through the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration: Immigration & Population Growth website: Nova Scotia Nominee Program. Many of the streams are dependent on a full-time, permanent job offer, while some are dependent on experience in Nova Scotia or the ability to start a business in the province.

NSNP Employment Streams

There are several streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program for full-time, permanent employment, including the Skilled Worker Stream, Occupations in Demand, and International Graduates in Demand. Employers can provide support to employees to obtain permanent residence and a work permit (if required).

NSNP Entrepreneur Streams

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program has two streams for business-owners: one for experienced business owners who want to live in Nova Scotia, and one for recent Nova Scotia graduates who own a business. For entrepreneurs involved in the day-to-day management of the business, there may be a pathway to permanent residence, if they meet all eligibility. More information is available through the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration: Immigration & Population Growth website: Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary or seasonal jobs when Canadian workers are not available. The first step is to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). With a positive LMIA, your worker can then submit an application for a work permit. There are several streams under the TFWP, including those for high- and low-wage workers, and specialized streams for agricultural workers, caregivers, or uniquely skilled talent. Streams are available to view through Employment and Social Development Canada’s website: Hire a temporary foreign worker with a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Global Talent Stream

The Global Talent Stream is a stream under the TFWP that allows employers to hire uniquely skilled talent. This option also provides quicker, prioritized processing of both the LMIA and the work permit, speeding up the timeline for you to get the talent you need faster. The Global Talent Stream has two categories.

Category A requires a referral from a designated referral partner. You must be hiring unique and specialized talent for a company this is focused on innovation and has the ability to scale up and grow. To be eligible, applicants must have advanced knowledge of the industry and extensive experience and/or an advanced degree in an area of specialization.

To request a referral for the Global Talent Stream, submit a request form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CBP-ESDC-GTSForm

Category B is for employers looking to hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in in-demand occupations found in the Global Talent Occupations List. A referral is not required to be eligible for Category B.

The Cape Breton Partnership is a designated referral partner for the Global Skills Strategy. If you are looking to fill unique, high-skilled talent, you may be eligible for the Global Skills Strategy. This strategy allows for priority processing and access to a Dedicated Service Channel with IRCC. Employers will be assigned an account manager who can answer questions and provide guidance from within IRCC’s system.

Why is the Cape Breton Partnership moving to a paid model for immigration services?

• To ensure sustainability and continued growth of our services, we are transitioning to a paid model for immigration services. Under this model, Cape Breton Partnership Investors will receive comprehensive assistance with their immigration applications—including option assessment, guidance on the best path forward, and full preparation and submission of the application by one of our licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC).

When will the new pricing model take effect?

• The new pricing model will take effect on July 2, 2025. Employers with existing applications through the Cape Breton Partnership will continue to receive support as previously outlined. Any new applications submitted after the launch date will fall under the new pay-for-service immigration model.

Will I be charged for an application I started before the launch date? 

• Any applications discussed or started before the launch date will be completed under the terms originally agreed upon – even if processing occurs afterward.

Who can access the full immigration application services under the new model? 

• Full application services will remain exclusive to Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership. We’ll continue to offer general guidance, resources, and support at no cost to all Unama’ki – Cape Breton businesses. However, full application preparation and submission will only be available to Investors and will include a service fee.

What immigration services are included?

• Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) offer complete support from start to finish. This includes choosing the right immigration stream, verifying candidate and employer eligibility, preparing and submitting your application, communicating with  and provincial immigration offices, supporting follow-ups, document updates, and addressing delays.

What are examples of applications we support?

• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) designations and endorsements, employer-supported Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), employer-paid work permits, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers of employment.

What’s not included in immigration services?

• Some responsibilities remain with you, the employer. We cannot make business decisions on your behalf, and we cannot sign official documents for your business.
• We do not currently offer permanent residence application support. However, we may support employer-paid work permit applications on a case-by-case basis.

How much will services cost, and how are fees determined?

• Our fees are set at approximately one-third of the market average. For our full price list, click here.

What kind of discount do I receive based on my investment level?

• Becoming a Cape Breton Partnership Investor gives you access to immigration application handling.
• Bronze Investors will receive access to our comprehensive immigration services at the Cape Breton Partnership price.
• Silver Investors will receive access to our comprehensive immigration services at a 10% discount on the Cape Breton Partnership price.
• Gold Investors will receive access to our comprehensive immigration services at a 25% discount on the Cape Breton Partnership price, along with one complimentary application from Category A.
• Platinum Investors will receive access to our comprehensive immigration services at a 35% discount on the Cape Breton Partnership price, along with two complimentary applications from Category A, or one application from Category A and one application from Category B.

What are Category A and Category B applications? 

• These two categories are solely for determining access to complimentary applications. Category A includes designations and endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program, employer-supported provincial nominations, ERC applications, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offer of employment. Category B includes more involved applications such as Labour Market Impact Assessments, employer-paid work permits, and provincial nomination applications for the Entrepreneur stream.

If I’m a Bronze Investor, can I still access Category B services like LMIAs? 

• Absolutely! All Investors have access to any of our immigration services, regardless of investment level. However, discounts and complimentary applications only apply at certain levels.

What qualifies as a “general advisory” or “advisory services” that are still free? 

• Advisory support remains free for all Unama’ki – Cape Breton businesses. If you have a question about selecting an immigration stream, whether your business or candidate qualify, or how to complete an application, this falls under our immigration advisory services, which remain free for all Unama’ki – Cape Breton businesses, and are not exclusive to Investors.

Will I still be involved in the application process? 

• Yes. Your business remains under your control. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) will work with your team to complete the application and will keep you informed at every step of the process. You will be copied on all communication with candidates, and no decisions will be made without your involvement. However, the bulk of the communications and paperwork will be taken off your hands.

Thank you for expressing interest in the immigration services offered by the Cape Breton Partnership.

This intake form represents a request for services from the Cape Breton Partnership for immigration services. Please note: this is not a contract. The acceptance of the request form does not guarantee eligibility for services through the Cape Breton Partnership. 

Submission of this form does not represent a commitment by the employer or individual to use the Cape Breton Partnership’s service.  

The employer or individual may use other immigration consultants (click here to verify your consultant) or immigration lawyers in conjunction with, or in place of, the Cape Breton Partnership’s service.  

A contract to provide immigration services must be signed by the employer before any services can be provided, which would be discussed between both parties upon appropriate review of the information submitted below.

Intake Form

Please note: To access immigration services through the Cape Breton Partnership, your business or organization must be an Investor of the Cape Breton Partnership. 

To learn more about the comprehensive immigration services available and to determine whether joining the Cape Breton Partnership’s network of Investors aligns with your goals, please contact invest@capebretonpartnership.com. A member of our team would be pleased to assist you. 

Section 1 – Employer Information

Are you an Investor of the Cape Breton Partnership? *

• Yes
• No

Note, only Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership can access representation services at this time.

Select all that apply: *

• I have an employee or employees working for me who I would like to support for permanent residence
• I have an employee or employees working for me with an expiring work permit
• I have found a candidate I would like to hire, and I would like support for them to obtain a work permit
• I have labour gaps or job openings and would like to explore immigration to fill these roles

Have you used the Cape Breton Partnership for immigration services in the past? *

• Yes, I have used immigration services in the past year
• Yes, I have used immigration services over a year ago
• No, this is my first time contacting the Cape Breton Partnership for immigration services

Section 2 – Employer Information

Business Legal Name *

Business Operating Name (if different)

Registry of Joint Stocks Number *

Years in Operation

Years Under Current Management

Select the most accurate description of your business

• Year-round, permanent
• Seasonal, closed for some weeks or months of the year
• Seasonal with some year-round staff
• Contract-based work

Please list your Sector NAICS Code

NAICS Codes can be found here: https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=1369825

Please list your Industry NAICS Code

NAICS Codes can be found here: https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=1369825

Business Street Address *

Business City / Town *

Business Province *

Business Postal Code *

Business Phone Number *

Which Municiplaity / Community are you primarily based in? *

• Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• Membertou
• Inverness County
• We’koqma’q L’nue’kati
• Richmond County
• Potlotek Mi’kmaw Nation
• Town of Port Hawkesbury
• Eskasoni L’nue’kati
• Victoria County
• Wagmatcook First Nation

Section 3 – Contact Information

Please include the information below for the contact within your organization that will lead this discussion and request with the Cape Breton Partnership Team.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Title *

Role in Company *

• Owner (or Franchise Owner)
• Senior Management
• Human Resources
• Supervisor
• Administration

Years with Company *

Are you the business owner listed on the Registry of Joint Stocks Companies (RJSC)? *

• Yes
• No

If no: business owner(s) listed on RJSC may need to be contacted to authorize you as a signing officer for some immigration processes.

Section 4 – Position Information

Title *

NOC Code *

NOC Codes can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html

TEER Level *012345

TEER Levels can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html

Brief list of job duties *

Pay Type *

• Salary
• Wage

Minimum Weekly Hours *

Maximum Number of Hours

Approximate Wage

Expected Start Date (or actual start date, if currently working for you) *

Expected Duration *

• Less than one year
• One-year contract
• More than one-year contract
• Permanent

Position Type *

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Contract
• Seasonal

Section 5 – Candidate Information

Note: Section 5 is optional, and only applicable if the candidate is currently working for the applicant employer.

Given Name

Family Name

Email

Is this candidate currently in Canada?

• Yes
• No

If not currently in Canada, list their country of residence.

Is this candidate currently working for you?

• Yes
• No

Immigration Status:

• International student
• Worker on an open work permit or international graduate
• Closed work permit with our company
• Closed work permit with another company
• Maintained or implied status after expiry of their past work permit
• Visitor, no status in Canada, or outside Canada

Work permit expiry date, if applicable

Section 6 – Attachments

If you already have any of the following documents, please attach them. While they are not required to access immigration services through the Cape Breton Partnership, they may be needed depending on the specific immigration program. Providing them in advance, if applicable, can help us better support you.

Job description for position(s) listed

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.

Partnership not Hours

Employment contract for candidate already working with you

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.

Proof of previous recruitment/ads

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 10 files.

Employer Registration Certificate

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

(ERC is issued by Labour Standards and is valid for one year)

AIP Designation letter

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

AIP Designation letter is issued by Immigration and Population Growth

Submit