Nova Scotia (NSNP) nomination
Migration Program Details & Application
Program Overview
Project Description
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an immigration pathway established by the province of Nova Scotia under an agreement with the federal immigration authorities. It aims to attract applicants with skills and experience needed in the province's key industries to settle and work in the province. Applicants nominated by NS can then apply to the federal immigration authorities for Canadian permanent resident status.
Reform Background: From Ten to Four
On February 18, 2026, the NSNP underwent a major reform, consolidating its previously fragmented 10 subcategories into four core categories. This reform aims to provide applicants with a clearer path and facilitate employer participation in the provincial nomination process. The reform only applies to applicants who submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) after February 18, 2026; previously submitted EOIs remain unchanged and are automatically valid. Furthermore, no new requirements have been added to the four categories; it is merely a structural reorganization and consolidation, and the actual eligibility thresholds for each category remain unchanged.
Quota and competition are particularly noteworthy: The available quota for the NSNP has shrunk dramatically in recent years, plummeting from approximately 6,300 in 2024 to about 3,150 in 2025, and further to only about 1,365 in 2026. A large number of applications are flooding the pool, but the core quota has been reduced to less than 20% of previous years. This means that only candidates with relatively higher scores who are prioritized for selection by the provincial immigration department are likely to receive a provincial nomination invitation—significant uncertainty and waiting times will be further prolonged.
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The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an immigration pathway established by the province of Nova Scotia under an agreement with the federal immigration authorities. It aims to attract applicants with skills and experience needed in the province's key industries to settle and work in the province. Applicants nominated by NS can then apply to the federal immigration authorities for Canadian permanent resident status.
Reform Background: From Ten to Four
On February 18, 2026, the NSNP underwent a major reform, consolidating its previously fragmented 10 subcategories into four core categories. This reform aims to provide applicants with a clearer path and facilitate employer participation in the provincial nomination process. The reform only applies to applicants who submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) after February 18, 2026; previously submitted EOIs remain unchanged and are automatically valid. Furthermore, no new requirements have been added to the four categories; it is merely a structural reorganization and consolidation, and the actual eligibility thresholds for each category remain unchanged.
Quota and competition are particularly noteworthy: The available quota for the NSNP has shrunk dramatically in recent years, plummeting from approximately 6,300 in 2024 to about 3,150 in 2025, and further to only about 1,365 in 2026. A large number of applications are flooding the pool, but the core quota has been reduced to less than 20% of previous years. This means that only candidates with relatively higher scores who are prioritized for selection by the provincial immigration department are likely to receive a provincial nomination invitation—significant uncertainty and waiting times will be further prolonged.
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Eligibility & Requirements
Required qualifications for applicants (detailed explanation of four categories)
Category 1: Skilled Worker
This category integrates the original four tracks: skilled workers, key construction workers pilot, doctors, and in-demand occupations. It is the NSNP section with the broadest range of accepted occupations and the largest number of available places. General application requirements: Age 21–55; holding a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer; possessing at least a high school diploma (a high school diploma can be waived if specific construction industry training is completed); and possessing the relevant training, skills, or professional qualifications required for the employer's position.
Work experience requirements: NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations require at least 1 year of relevant work experience; NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations require at least 6 months of full-time work experience with the employer.
Language proficiency requirements: NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations require a CLB 5; NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations require a CLB 4. Applicants in the healthcare field must also meet the professional qualifications required for their specific area of practice.
Physician applicants must hold a formal job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre for positions including general practitioner (NOC 31102), clinical medical specialist (31100), and surgeon (31101).
Construction trades: Construction-related occupations that are in long-term shortage will be given priority processing channels, including bricklayers (72320), carpenters (72310), concrete workers (73100), construction managers (70010), foundation/auxiliary construction workers (75110), welders (72106), electricians (72200), residential installers (73200), sheet metal workers (72102), crane operators (72500), heating/cooling and air conditioning technicians (72402), etc.
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Category 2: Nova Scotia Graduate Category
This category is primarily for international students who have completed courses at designated Nova Scotia institutions and have secured employment with local employers in in-demand occupations. The consolidated category is known as the "Nova Scotia Graduate Category," and currently only four occupational tracks are open: nursing assistant, pharmacist, nursing assistant, and early childhood educator.
List of eligible occupational NOCs:
NOC 32102: Associates in the medical field
NOC 32124: Pharmacist
• NOC 33102: Nursing assistants, caregivers and patient service assistants
• NOC 42202: Early childhood educators and early childhood education assistants
Basic application requirements: Age 19–55; completion of at least 30 weeks of coursework at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Nova Scotia within the last 3 years (some NOC 33102 programs may be shortened to 24 weeks), with at least 50% courses completed in Nova Scotia; possession of a professional certificate or registration document required by Nova Scotia (if applicable); and language proficiency at CLB 5.
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Category 3: Entrepreneur
This category is for entrepreneurs or senior managers with experience and financial resources. Applicants must establish a new business in Nova Scotia or invest in and purchase an existing business, and participate in its day-to-day operations and management. This category uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) invitation system and a points-based assessment system.
Basic requirements:
• Age 21 and above
• Minimum net worth requirement: If investing within the Halifax municipal area, a minimum of CAD 600,000 is required; if the business is located outside Halifax, the minimum net worth requirement is CAD 400,000.
• Minimum investment: CAD 150,000 within the Halifax area, and CAD 100,000 outside the Halifax area.
• Business experience requirements: At least 3 years of experience as a business owner and in direct operation management (holding no less than 33.331% of the company's total share capital), or at least 5 years of senior management experience.
• Language requirements: English or French proficiency at CLB 5 or above, with test results obtained within two years prior to submitting the EOI application.
• Educational requirements: At least a high school diploma (non-Canadian graduates need to have their educational qualifications verified by an ECA, which must be completed within two years before submitting the EOI application).
Business Requirements: The new business must create at least one full-time job (or multiple part-time jobs of equivalent duration) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If purchasing an existing business, the applicant must ensure that the purchased business has been continuously operated by the same entity for the past five years, maintains fair salaries and employment conditions for employees, and guarantees that recruitment channels are legal and transparent. The applicant must hold at least 33.331 TP3T of shares in the business and must be present in the business's daily operations; passive shareholding is not permitted.
International Graduate Entrepreneurship Subcategory: Holders of Graduate Work Permits (PGWP), who have been legally operating a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year, graduated from a two-year full-time degree or diploma program at a Nova Scotia institution, and have a language proficiency of CLB 7, may be considered for the International Graduate Entrepreneurship Targeted Pathway.
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Category 4: Nova Scotia: Express Entry
This category integrates the original Nominee Experience Class (NS) Express Entry, Labour Market Preference (LMP), and Physician Labour Market Preference (PMP) streams. Applicants must already be in the USCIS Express Entry pool and have a valid and consistently active Express Entry file.
Work experience and education requirements: At least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Nova Scotia with a TEER 0–3 level; completion of high school or higher education with a diploma/degree. If work experience comes from a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), the applicant must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.
Age and language requirements: Age 21–55; NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupations require CLB 7 (i.e., IELTS score of no less than 6.0 in each section); NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations require CLB 5.
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Category 1: Skilled Worker
This category integrates the original four tracks: skilled workers, key construction workers pilot, doctors, and in-demand occupations. It is the NSNP section with the broadest range of accepted occupations and the largest number of available places. General application requirements: Age 21–55; holding a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer; possessing at least a high school diploma (a high school diploma can be waived if specific construction industry training is completed); and possessing the relevant training, skills, or professional qualifications required for the employer's position.
Work experience requirements: NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations require at least 1 year of relevant work experience; NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations require at least 6 months of full-time work experience with the employer.
Language proficiency requirements: NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations require a CLB 5; NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations require a CLB 4. Applicants in the healthcare field must also meet the professional qualifications required for their specific area of practice.
Physician applicants must hold a formal job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre for positions including general practitioner (NOC 31102), clinical medical specialist (31100), and surgeon (31101).
Construction trades: Construction-related occupations that are in long-term shortage will be given priority processing channels, including bricklayers (72320), carpenters (72310), concrete workers (73100), construction managers (70010), foundation/auxiliary construction workers (75110), welders (72106), electricians (72200), residential installers (73200), sheet metal workers (72102), crane operators (72500), heating/cooling and air conditioning technicians (72402), etc.
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Category 2: Nova Scotia Graduate Category
This category is primarily for international students who have completed courses at designated Nova Scotia institutions and have secured employment with local employers in in-demand occupations. The consolidated category is known as the "Nova Scotia Graduate Category," and currently only four occupational tracks are open: nursing assistant, pharmacist, nursing assistant, and early childhood educator.
List of eligible occupational NOCs:
NOC 32102: Associates in the medical field
NOC 32124: Pharmacist
• NOC 33102: Nursing assistants, caregivers and patient service assistants
• NOC 42202: Early childhood educators and early childhood education assistants
Basic application requirements: Age 19–55; completion of at least 30 weeks of coursework at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Nova Scotia within the last 3 years (some NOC 33102 programs may be shortened to 24 weeks), with at least 50% courses completed in Nova Scotia; possession of a professional certificate or registration document required by Nova Scotia (if applicable); and language proficiency at CLB 5.
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Category 3: Entrepreneur
This category is for entrepreneurs or senior managers with experience and financial resources. Applicants must establish a new business in Nova Scotia or invest in and purchase an existing business, and participate in its day-to-day operations and management. This category uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) invitation system and a points-based assessment system.
Basic requirements:
• Age 21 and above
• Minimum net worth requirement: If investing within the Halifax municipal area, a minimum of CAD 600,000 is required; if the business is located outside Halifax, the minimum net worth requirement is CAD 400,000.
• Minimum investment: CAD 150,000 within the Halifax area, and CAD 100,000 outside the Halifax area.
• Business experience requirements: At least 3 years of experience as a business owner and in direct operation management (holding no less than 33.331% of the company's total share capital), or at least 5 years of senior management experience.
• Language requirements: English or French proficiency at CLB 5 or above, with test results obtained within two years prior to submitting the EOI application.
• Educational requirements: At least a high school diploma (non-Canadian graduates need to have their educational qualifications verified by an ECA, which must be completed within two years before submitting the EOI application).
Business Requirements: The new business must create at least one full-time job (or multiple part-time jobs of equivalent duration) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If purchasing an existing business, the applicant must ensure that the purchased business has been continuously operated by the same entity for the past five years, maintains fair salaries and employment conditions for employees, and guarantees that recruitment channels are legal and transparent. The applicant must hold at least 33.331 TP3T of shares in the business and must be present in the business's daily operations; passive shareholding is not permitted.
International Graduate Entrepreneurship Subcategory: Holders of Graduate Work Permits (PGWP), who have been legally operating a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year, graduated from a two-year full-time degree or diploma program at a Nova Scotia institution, and have a language proficiency of CLB 7, may be considered for the International Graduate Entrepreneurship Targeted Pathway.
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Category 4: Nova Scotia: Express Entry
This category integrates the original Nominee Experience Class (NS) Express Entry, Labour Market Preference (LMP), and Physician Labour Market Preference (PMP) streams. Applicants must already be in the USCIS Express Entry pool and have a valid and consistently active Express Entry file.
Work experience and education requirements: At least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Nova Scotia with a TEER 0–3 level; completion of high school or higher education with a diploma/degree. If work experience comes from a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), the applicant must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.
Age and language requirements: Age 21–55; NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupations require CLB 7 (i.e., IELTS score of no less than 6.0 in each section); NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations require CLB 5.
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Application Process & Advice
suggestion
1. Quotas for 2026 are extremely tight, making early entry crucial. The Immigration Bureau has issued a two-year quota warning, and the latest PNP reforms in 2026 will further restrict quota usage to actual demand. It is recommended to assess eligibility and submit applications as early as possible. Even if most conditions are met, quota restrictions may force you to wait through multiple rounds of selection.
2. Prioritize applications from the three in-demand sectors: healthcare, construction, and social assistance, and avoid non-priority occupations. According to official policy guidelines, in 2026, Nova Scotia will prioritize processing applications from applicants currently working in Canada in the healthcare, social services, and construction sectors, especially those whose existing licenses expire in 2026. Applicants in other sectors should adjust their expectations accordingly to avoid prolonged waiting times.
3. All provincial nomination programs across all occupations must adhere to the new PNP regulations. Effective March 30, 2026, Canada significantly revised its PNP regulations, delegating the assessment of applicants' economic settlement capabilities and residency intentions entirely to the nominating provinces. This transfer of power will significantly impact the internal review standards of each province, leading to greater uncertainty regarding the actual invitation preferences of different industries.
4. After your Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted to the immigration pool, keep your documents updated and don't be idle while waiting. If you change jobs, improve your language scores, or obtain additional certifications after being submitted, you should update the relevant documents in the system as soon as possible. Some programs—especially the Entrepreneur category—have an additional step after the EOI: the provincial immigration office issues an invitation to further review the documents before final approval. It is recommended to engage a licensed Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) to follow up throughout the process and maintain the application in advance.
5. For the Entrepreneur category, thorough research is strongly recommended in advance to avoid your application being deemed invalid. Officials place great emphasis on the actual economic benefits of a business; therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the target community's industrial structure, customer base, and competitive environment as much as possible before applying. If you plan to acquire an existing business, you must establish an independent evaluation team to ensure that the legal and financial structure is compliant and clear, in order to avoid your application being rejected due to unclear takeover intentions.
6. Graduated international students should focus on in-demand occupations and understand the application requirements for "limited occupations." Currently, in-demand occupations are mainly concentrated in early childhood education, paramedics, pharmacists, and nursing assistants. If your major is not within these four areas and you have less than one year of experience, it is not recommended to submit such applications too early. You can consider applying for EOI through the skilled worker or fast track pathways.
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NSNP Application Basic Process
Regardless of which category is chosen, the standard NSNP process is roughly as follows:
Specific operations at each stage
1. Assessment and Preparation: Select the appropriate application category based on your own qualifications; prepare core documents such as proof of employment, academic credentials (domestic degrees must be ECA certified within two years of completion), language test scores (IELTS or CELPIP, within two years of completion), and a certificate of no criminal record, and contact your employer in Nova Scotia in advance to provide sponsorship support materials (if applicable); for the Entrepreneur category, you also need to prepare a net asset verification report and a summary of your business plan.
2. Register and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) online. Register a user account through the provincial immigration office's online system and complete the EOI questionnaire. The system will automatically generate a candidate profile based on the information provided by the applicant and place it in the Expression of Interest pool. Some categories (such as skilled workers and graduates) can remain in the pool for up to 12 months for a reassessment of their validity.
3. Receiving an Invitation to Intend (ITA): When an applicant reaches the estimated score threshold or matches a specific industry for screening, the provincial immigration office will issue an Invitation to Intend (ITA) to the applicant via system message or email. Entrepreneurs must also provide more detailed application materials (such as a formal business plan, funding plan, etc.) before the ITA is issued.
4. The formal provincial nomination application is typically submitted within 30 days of the ITA being issued. All required PDF files must be uploaded at once, including the complete application form, passport and identity verification documents, employment verification letter, employer's handwritten authorization (if applicable), detailed proof of the legal source of funds, and certificates of no criminal record in both your home country and your current country. Simultaneously, the corresponding provincial nomination application processing fee must be paid online according to the selected category (e.g., applicants in the entrepreneur category must pay a compliance processing fee in advance).
5. Awaiting Provincial Nomination Review: The provincial immigration office will review the authenticity, legality, and industry relevance of the application materials. If additional materials are required, the applicant must resubmit them through the system within the specified period. After the 2026 reforms, the average initial review time for some in-demand categories is expected to be concentrated in 3–6 months; the entrepreneur category, due to due diligence and tax compliance reviews, may have an actual processing time of more than 12 months.
6. Obtaining Provincial Nomination and Applying for Permanent Residency at the Federal Level: After receiving provincial nomination approval, the applicant will receive a Nominee Certificate. Within 12 months of receiving this certificate, the applicant must submit a permanent resident application online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) system and meet federal requirements such as a federal medical examination, a clean criminal record, and proof of settlement funds. The final permanent residency approval process still takes approximately 12–18 months.
7. Work Permit Transition Entry Program (Exclusive to Entrepreneur Category): After receiving provincial nomination approval under the Entrepreneur category, a "Business Performance Agreement" is typically signed first. Following this, a Support Letter with provincial nomination assistance is applied for to obtain a work visa. Upon initial entry with a work visa, the business must immediately commence operations, creating the promised jobs. Only after operating continuously for a certain period can the applicant apply to Nova Scotia for a final provincial nomination recommendation, after which the federal permanent residency application can be submitted.
1. Quotas for 2026 are extremely tight, making early entry crucial. The Immigration Bureau has issued a two-year quota warning, and the latest PNP reforms in 2026 will further restrict quota usage to actual demand. It is recommended to assess eligibility and submit applications as early as possible. Even if most conditions are met, quota restrictions may force you to wait through multiple rounds of selection.
2. Prioritize applications from the three in-demand sectors: healthcare, construction, and social assistance, and avoid non-priority occupations. According to official policy guidelines, in 2026, Nova Scotia will prioritize processing applications from applicants currently working in Canada in the healthcare, social services, and construction sectors, especially those whose existing licenses expire in 2026. Applicants in other sectors should adjust their expectations accordingly to avoid prolonged waiting times.
3. All provincial nomination programs across all occupations must adhere to the new PNP regulations. Effective March 30, 2026, Canada significantly revised its PNP regulations, delegating the assessment of applicants' economic settlement capabilities and residency intentions entirely to the nominating provinces. This transfer of power will significantly impact the internal review standards of each province, leading to greater uncertainty regarding the actual invitation preferences of different industries.
4. After your Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted to the immigration pool, keep your documents updated and don't be idle while waiting. If you change jobs, improve your language scores, or obtain additional certifications after being submitted, you should update the relevant documents in the system as soon as possible. Some programs—especially the Entrepreneur category—have an additional step after the EOI: the provincial immigration office issues an invitation to further review the documents before final approval. It is recommended to engage a licensed Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) to follow up throughout the process and maintain the application in advance.
5. For the Entrepreneur category, thorough research is strongly recommended in advance to avoid your application being deemed invalid. Officials place great emphasis on the actual economic benefits of a business; therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the target community's industrial structure, customer base, and competitive environment as much as possible before applying. If you plan to acquire an existing business, you must establish an independent evaluation team to ensure that the legal and financial structure is compliant and clear, in order to avoid your application being rejected due to unclear takeover intentions.
6. Graduated international students should focus on in-demand occupations and understand the application requirements for "limited occupations." Currently, in-demand occupations are mainly concentrated in early childhood education, paramedics, pharmacists, and nursing assistants. If your major is not within these four areas and you have less than one year of experience, it is not recommended to submit such applications too early. You can consider applying for EOI through the skilled worker or fast track pathways.
---
NSNP Application Basic Process
Regardless of which category is chosen, the standard NSNP process is roughly as follows:
Specific operations at each stage
1. Assessment and Preparation: Select the appropriate application category based on your own qualifications; prepare core documents such as proof of employment, academic credentials (domestic degrees must be ECA certified within two years of completion), language test scores (IELTS or CELPIP, within two years of completion), and a certificate of no criminal record, and contact your employer in Nova Scotia in advance to provide sponsorship support materials (if applicable); for the Entrepreneur category, you also need to prepare a net asset verification report and a summary of your business plan.
2. Register and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) online. Register a user account through the provincial immigration office's online system and complete the EOI questionnaire. The system will automatically generate a candidate profile based on the information provided by the applicant and place it in the Expression of Interest pool. Some categories (such as skilled workers and graduates) can remain in the pool for up to 12 months for a reassessment of their validity.
3. Receiving an Invitation to Intend (ITA): When an applicant reaches the estimated score threshold or matches a specific industry for screening, the provincial immigration office will issue an Invitation to Intend (ITA) to the applicant via system message or email. Entrepreneurs must also provide more detailed application materials (such as a formal business plan, funding plan, etc.) before the ITA is issued.
4. The formal provincial nomination application is typically submitted within 30 days of the ITA being issued. All required PDF files must be uploaded at once, including the complete application form, passport and identity verification documents, employment verification letter, employer's handwritten authorization (if applicable), detailed proof of the legal source of funds, and certificates of no criminal record in both your home country and your current country. Simultaneously, the corresponding provincial nomination application processing fee must be paid online according to the selected category (e.g., applicants in the entrepreneur category must pay a compliance processing fee in advance).
5. Awaiting Provincial Nomination Review: The provincial immigration office will review the authenticity, legality, and industry relevance of the application materials. If additional materials are required, the applicant must resubmit them through the system within the specified period. After the 2026 reforms, the average initial review time for some in-demand categories is expected to be concentrated in 3–6 months; the entrepreneur category, due to due diligence and tax compliance reviews, may have an actual processing time of more than 12 months.
6. Obtaining Provincial Nomination and Applying for Permanent Residency at the Federal Level: After receiving provincial nomination approval, the applicant will receive a Nominee Certificate. Within 12 months of receiving this certificate, the applicant must submit a permanent resident application online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) system and meet federal requirements such as a federal medical examination, a clean criminal record, and proof of settlement funds. The final permanent residency approval process still takes approximately 12–18 months.
7. Work Permit Transition Entry Program (Exclusive to Entrepreneur Category): After receiving provincial nomination approval under the Entrepreneur category, a "Business Performance Agreement" is typically signed first. Following this, a Support Letter with provincial nomination assistance is applied for to obtain a work visa. Upon initial entry with a work visa, the business must immediately commence operations, creating the promised jobs. Only after operating continuously for a certain period can the applicant apply to Nova Scotia for a final provincial nomination recommendation, after which the federal permanent residency application can be submitted.