Immigration Services

Newcomers are vital in growing Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s economy. We have been growing as an Island, and in order to keep the momentum, we need to grow our population to address labour shortages and enhance our communities.

At the Cape Breton Partnership, we’re proud to offer dedicated immigration services designed to help employers across Unama’ki – Cape Breton attract, support, and retain global talent. From designations and endorsements to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and other immigration pathways, our experienced team is here to support you at every stage of the process.


Common Immigration Programs

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.


Immigration Readiness Support

The Cape Breton Partnership offers advisory services to all employers, entrepreneurs, and community partners across Unama’ki – Cape Breton. Our team provides general guidance to help you understand your options and complete immigration applications with confidence. Whether you’re navigating eligibility requirements, exploring which stream best fits your needs, or seeking support to fill labour gaps, we’re here to help.

Advisory support includes consultations for employers, entrepreneurs, physicians, and other individuals or businesses contributing to our region’s economic growth. We offer:

  • Guidance on completing documents for programs such as:
    • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
    • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
    • Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  • Support for IRCC offers of employment
  • Referrals to Global Skills Strategy & Global Talent Stream

These services are available at no cost and are distinct from our investor-exclusive Immigration Access + program.


Immigration Access+

Immigration Access+ is the Cape Breton Partnership’s immigration representation option, available exclusively to Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership. Investor support plays a key role in keeping service fees well below market rates while expanding access to the skilled workers that local businesses need to grow and thrive.

Immigration Access+ offers a deeper level of support, including full application preparation and submission, delivered by a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). This service is ideal for employers and entrepreneurs who need hands-on, start-to-finish immigration assistance. Through this service, Investors receive personalized guidance on selecting the most appropriate immigration stream, verifying eligibility, and managing every step of the application process. This allows you to focus on your business, while we handle the complexities of the immigration process.

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?

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.

Request Immigration Support

If you’re interested in immigration services for your business and would like to learn more about the full range of support we offer, please fill out the below form.

If you would like to explore joining the Cape Breton Partnership’s network of Investors, please contact invest@capebretonpartnership.com and a member of our team would be happy to assist you.

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

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

Section 2 – Employer Information

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

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.
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

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

Section 5 – Candidate Information

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

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.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 10 files.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
(ERC is issued by Labour Standards and is valid for one year)
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
AIP Designation letter is issued by Immigration and Population Growth

For More Information

For more information, or if you have any questions, contact the Cape Breton Partnership’s Immigration Services Team at immigration@capebretonpartnership.com or 902-562-7182.


These initiatives are made possible by the Cape Breton Partnership’s collaboration with Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s First Nation and Municipal partners through both the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise NetworkCBRM Regional Enterprise Network, and the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development; the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Immigration and Population Growth Branch; and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.