In 2026 Nova Scotia rebuilt its Nominee Program into four consolidated streams — for graduates, skilled workers, entrepreneurs and Express Entry candidates. An Expression-of-Interest system, with priority for health care, construction and manufacturing.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) lets the province nominate skilled workers, graduates and entrepreneurs for permanent residence based on its own labour-market needs. It runs on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system: you submit a profile, Nova Scotia selects the candidates it needs, and a nomination lets you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
On February 18, 2026 Nova Scotia rebuilt the program — consolidating ten former streams into four: Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The eligibility rules largely carried over — the structure is simpler, and priority now sits with health care, construction and manufacturing.
Nova Scotia offers a lower cost of living than Ontario or BC, a fast-growing economy centred on Halifax, and a strong welcome for newcomers. It also takes part in the Atlantic Immigration Program, which is a separate route and was not affected by the 2026 changes.
Not sure which stream fits? Message us your details on WhatsApp and we'll map you to the right Nova Scotia stream — or the AIP — before you spend a dollar.
Since February 18, 2026, four streams replace the program's former ten. Here's who each one is for and what it takes.
For candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool who can fill a Nova Scotia labour-market need.
For workers — including some lower-skilled roles — with a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
For graduates of a Nova Scotia post-secondary institution working in an in-demand occupation.
For experienced business owners or senior managers who will own and actively operate a Nova Scotia business.
Because Nova Scotia selects to meet labour-market needs, your occupation matters as much as your profile. These are the areas the province is prioritising.
How eligibility narrows by occupation. Health care and skilled trades are the top priorities for candidates both inside and outside Canada, across NOC TEER 0–4. Some other occupation groups are limited to temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia. We check your specific NOC against the current priorities before you invest time in an application.
Exact requirements depend on the stream, but these are the building blocks the NSNP assesses.
Nova Scotia uses a candidate pool and selects to meet labour-market needs — not a first-come queue. Here's the sequence.
Check that you meet one of the four streams and that your occupation is a Nova Scotia priority. We screen this first.
Create and submit your EOI to the NSNP pool with your work, education, language and occupation details.
EOIs from May 1, 2026 are valid 12 monthsThe province draws from the pool to meet labour-market needs and priority occupations. There's no fixed public cut-off for most streams — meeting the criteria doesn't guarantee a selection.
If selected, you submit a full application with supporting documents. Nova Scotia reviews it and, if approved, issues your provincial nomination.
Apply to IRCC as a provincial nominee within 12 months of nomination — or, on the Express Entry stream, take the +600 CRS and a near-certain federal invitation. A licensed RCIC prepares and files the PR application.
Nomination → IRCC within 12 months2026 changeover: the four consolidated streams took effect February 18, 2026 and apply to new EOIs submitted after that date; EOIs already in the pool stay active. Nova Scotia periodically updates its priority occupations and can pause intake — we track the official notices and confirm your occupation's status before you apply.
Our NSNP package covers every step from stream selection through to permanent residence and settlement in Nova Scotia.
We evaluate your profile against all four NSNP streams — and the Atlantic Immigration Program — and recommend the best-fit route for your occupation and goals.
We build and optimise your Expression of Interest so it reflects Nova Scotia's current priorities and improves your chance of selection.
For the Skilled Worker and Graduate streams, we help you connect with Nova Scotia employers hiring in your occupation.
Complete preparation of your provincial nomination application, including forms, documents and employer paperwork.
After nomination, a licensed RCIC prepares and submits your federal permanent-residence application to IRCC with all required documentation.
Guidance on relocating to Nova Scotia — housing, health-card registration, schooling and newcomer resources in Halifax and beyond.
The Solution Hub provides job-search and career services. Immigration advice and the applications under IRPA are prepared and submitted by a licensed RCIC we connect you with, as required under IRPA s.91.
Track your document preparation progress. Click each item as you gather your documents.
Here is a typical timeline from first consultation to PR approval through the NSNP.
We check which NSNP stream fits you, confirm your occupation is a Nova Scotia priority, and map the strongest route.
Day 1Your optimised Expression of Interest is submitted to the NSNP pool, where it stays valid for 12 months.
1 – 2 weeksNova Scotia selects candidates to meet labour-market needs. If selected, you're invited to submit a full application.
VariesA licensed RCIC prepares and submits your complete nomination application. Once approved, you receive your Nova Scotia nomination.
2 – 4 monthsApply to IRCC within 12 months — or, via the Express Entry stream, receive the nomination on your profile for a 600-point CRS boost. A licensed RCIC handles the PR application.
6 – 12 monthsBelow is an estimated breakdown of government, third-party, and service fees for an NSNP application through a worker stream.
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| NSNP Application Fee (worker streams) | $0 |
| IRCC Processing Fee | $990 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $600 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Language Test (IELTS / CELPIP) | ~$300 |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | ~$200 |
| The Solution Hub Service Fee | $499 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change. Nova Scotia's economic worker streams have no provincial application fee; the Entrepreneur stream charges a separate provincial processing fee. Amounts may vary by stream, country of origin and number of applicants. Government fees are current as of 2026.
On February 18, 2026, Nova Scotia consolidated ten former NSNP streams into four: Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The eligibility rules largely carried over — the former Physician Stream and Critical Construction Worker Pilot became sub-criteria of Skilled Worker, and the Labour Market Priorities streams folded into Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The changes apply to new Expressions of Interest submitted after that date; EOIs already in the pool stay active, and the Atlantic Immigration Program was not affected.
Nova Scotia: Express Entry (for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool — a nomination adds 600 CRS points), Skilled Worker (for workers with a Nova Scotia job offer, including physician and construction sub-criteria), Nova Scotia Graduate (for graduates of Nova Scotia institutions), and Entrepreneur (for business owners, including an international-graduate sub-criteria). Priority sits with health care, construction and manufacturing.
Yes, through the Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream, which requires a valid federal Express Entry profile. That nomination adds 600 CRS points and effectively guarantees an invitation to apply at the next federal draw. The other Nova Scotia streams lead to a “base” nomination, where you apply to IRCC directly as a provincial nominee.
Expressions of Interest submitted on or after May 1, 2026 stay valid in the NSNP pool for 12 months. Nova Scotia selects candidates based on labour-market needs and priority occupations rather than a fixed public score, so meeting the eligibility criteria doesn't guarantee a selection. Once nominated, you have 12 months to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
It depends on the stream. The Skilled Worker and Nova Scotia Graduate streams generally need a Nova Scotia job offer. The Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream does not always require a job offer — selection is driven by your occupation matching Nova Scotia's needs and your federal Express Entry profile. The Entrepreneur stream requires investing in and running your own Nova Scotia business instead.
Both lead to permanent residence in Nova Scotia, but they're separate programs. The NSNP is the province's own nominee program with an EOI pool. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal-provincial route that needs a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer and a settlement plan, with no LMIA. Many candidates qualify for both — we assess which is faster for your profile.
Get a free assessment of your profile and find out which Nova Scotia stream — or the AIP — fits you best.