Build Your Future in Nova Scotia with a Provincial Nomination

What Is the Nova Scotia PNP?

Quick answer: The Nova Scotia PNP, or Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), is Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program. Since 18 February 2026, it has had four streams: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia: Express Entry, Nova Scotia Graduates and Entrepreneur. You submit a free Expression of Interest, and the province selects candidates based on its priorities, which are currently led by healthcare and skilled trades. A nomination lets you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Nominees through Express Entry receive an extra 600 CRS points.

Nova Scotia is one of several Canadian provinces with its own nominee programme. Our Migrate to Canada guide compares all your PR options.

Nova Scotia PNP New Rules (2026)

Nova Scotia PNP Streams and Eligibility

1. Skilled Worker stream

The Nova Scotia Skilled Worker stream now includes the former Skilled Worker, Occupations in Demand, Critical Construction Worker and Physician pathways. You generally need:

• a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
• to be aged 21–55 and hold a high school diploma;
• 1 year of experience for TEER 0–3, or 6 months with the employer for TEER 4–5;
• CLB 5 for TEER 0–3, or CLB 4 for TEER 4–5; and
• sufficient settlement funds.

A construction pathway covers trades such as electricians, carpenters and welders. A physician pathway covers job offers from Nova Scotia Health or IWK.

2. Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream

This stream combines the former Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Labour Market Priorities and Labour Market Priorities for Physicians pathways. Requirements include:

• an active Express Entry profile;
• 1 year of Nova Scotia work experience in TEER 0–3;
• CLB 7 for TEER 0–1, or CLB 5 for TEER 2–3; and
• a high school diploma, and age 21–55.

If your experience is on a post-graduation work permit, you must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.

3. Nova Scotia Graduates stream

This stream was formerly called International Graduates in Demand. It is for recent Nova Scotia graduates (within 3 years) with a job offer that matches their field of study in these occupations:

• early childhood educators (42202);
• nurse aides and orderlies (33102);
• paramedical roles (32102); and
• pharmacy technicians (32124).

You need CLB 5, any required certification and settlement funds.

4. Entrepreneur stream

This stream is for business owners who will actively manage a business in Nova Scotia:

• net worth and investment of CAD 600,000 in Halifax or CAD 400,000 elsewhere;
• 3 years of business ownership or 5 years of senior management; and
• CLB 5.

An International Graduate Entrepreneur pathway is available for Nova Scotia graduates running a local business.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

Many people still search for the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream. Since February 2026, it is a pathway inside the Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream. Under this pathway, Nova Scotia searches the federal Express Entry pool and sends a Letter of Interest to candidates in occupations it needs. You cannot apply without that letter. Whether a job offer is needed depends on each selection round.

Nova Scotia PNP Without a Job Offer: Is It Possible?

For most international applicants, a Nova Scotia job offer is now essential. The main exceptions are:

• receiving a Labour Market Priorities Letter of Interest through Express Entry;
• qualifying through Nova Scotia work experience under the Express Entry stream; or
• the Entrepreneur stream.

If you do not have a job offer, compare federal Express Entry with other provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Use our Canada PR points calculator to check your CRS score.

Nova Scotia PNP Skilled Worker List: Priority Sectors 2026

TEER 5 occupations are not prioritised. Truck drivers, healthcare aides, nurses, early childhood educators and construction trades are among the occupations most relevant to Nova Scotia’s current needs.

Nova Scotia PNP Processing Time and Draws

Nova Scotia does not hold routine public draws or publish cut-off scores. It selects EOIs directly and publishes monthly selection totals. After selection, you have 7 days to pay the fee and submit your application. Nova Scotia does not publish a fixed nomination processing time. After nomination, Express Entry PR applications are usually processed faster by IRCC than base nomination applications.

PR in Nova Scotia for International Students

International students who study in Nova Scotia have three main options:

• the Nova Scotia Graduates stream, for eligible healthcare, pharmacy and early childhood roles;
• the Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream, after 1 year of Nova Scotia work on a post-graduation work permit; and
• the Skilled Worker stream, with a full-time job offer.

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a separate federal–provincial route and is not affected by the NSNP changes.

Is It Easy to Get PR in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia offers realistic routes for healthcare workers, tradespeople and people already working in the province. Its selection has become more targeted in 2026, so PR is not automatic and a provincial nomination does not guarantee PR. IRCC still checks medical, security and criminal admissibility. If you have a conviction, read our guide to criminal inadmissibility and TRPs in Canada.

Why Choose Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces. It is known for its coastline, the capital city Halifax, a growing healthcare and technology sector and a lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver. Many newcomers moving to Nova Scotia from the UK enjoy its close community feel and direct links to Europe.

Compare Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs

After living in Canada as a permanent resident, you can work towards Canadian citizenship.

How GIEC Global’s Canada Immigration Consultants Help

With Nova Scotia’s new streams, priorities and fees, a well-planned EOI matters more than ever. GIEC Global’s Canada immigration consultants, supporting clients from the UK, India and worldwide, help you:

• check your Nova Scotia PNP eligibility and the right stream;
• see whether your occupation matches the 2026 priorities;
• prepare a strong EOI and meet the 7-day payment deadline;
• compare Nova Scotia with Express Entry and other PNPs; and
• prepare your IRCC PR application after nomination.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Canada immigration team. Information reflects the NSNP consolidation on 18 February 2026, the 2026 priority framework, the 12-month EOI rule from 1 May 2026, NSNP fees from 1 September 2026 and IRCC PR fees from 30 April 2026. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Nova Scotia’s priorities change often – always confirm current requirements on liveinnovascotia.com and canada.ca before applying.