Nova Scotia PNP — Permanent Residence Pathway
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program - NSNP is Nova Scotia's main provincial immigration program. It allows Nova Scotia to nominate skilled workers, international graduates, Express Entry candidates, healthcare professionals, physicians, construction workers, and selected candidates in priority occupations for Canadian permanent residence.
Nova Scotia is an important Atlantic Canada destination for applicants targeting Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sydney, Truro, New Glasgow, Kentville, Wolfville, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Amherst, Antigonish, and other Nova Scotia communities.
The NSNP has recently been modernized. As of 18 February 2026, Nova Scotia consolidated several previous immigration streams into four main NSNP streams: Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The province states that the new structure is intended to create clearer pathways and streamline processing.
Halani Immigration Services Inc. provides professional guidance for NSNP applications. Our services are led by Shoukat Qumruddin Halani, RCIC-IRB, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants - CICC under License No. R711322.
How the Nova Scotia PNP works: NSNP now operates through four consolidated streams. Nova Scotia Graduate is for recent international graduates whose education and skills match selected in-demand job categories in Nova Scotia. Skilled Worker is for applicants with a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, including sub-criteria for construction workers and physicians. Nova Scotia: Express Entry is for Express Entry candidates who have Nova Scotia skilled work experience, a qualifying physician job offer, or a Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia. Entrepreneur is for experienced business owners, senior business managers, and eligible Nova Scotia graduate entrepreneurs (covered separately on the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration page). NSNP applicants submit an Expression of Interest, and the province selects EOIs based on factors such as provincial priorities, labour-market information, remaining nomination allocation, and EOI volume.
Important 2026 NSNP updates: (1) Nova Scotia consolidated ten previous NSNP streams into four streams as of 18 February 2026. The former Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Labour Market Priorities, and Labour Market Priorities for Physicians streams are now consolidated into the new Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream. Older websites may still list outdated stream names. (2) Effective 1 May 2026, Nova Scotia introduced a 12-month validity period for Expressions of Interest; transition measures apply to EOIs already in the pool. (3) Priority-based selection - NSNP focuses on critical labour-market needs and limited nomination spaces. Current priority focus includes healthcare and skilled trades occupations, with consideration at TEER 0 to 4 for both international applicants and temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia. Other occupational groups that may be considered for temporary residents already in Nova Scotia: NOC 2 (Natural and Applied Sciences), NOC 4 (Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services), NOC 8 (Natural Resources, Agriculture and Related Production), NOC 9 (Manufacturing and Utilities) - limited to TEER 0 to 4. TEER 5 occupations are not being prioritized at this time. For occupations outside the priority groups, nominations are currently limited to TEER 0, 1, and 2 and to temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia. (4) Food Service Supervisor restriction - Nova Scotia has temporarily paused certain pathways for NOC 62020 (food service supervisors). Under AIP, NOC 62020 job offers are currently not eligible, and under the former Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, work experience in NOC 62020 is not eligible. Since 17 April 2024, NSNP also paused intake of new EOIs from the Accommodation and Food Services sector (NAICS 72), although candidates in accommodation and food-service occupations with employers outside NAICS 72 may still apply.
Active streams under NSNP
Skilled Worker Stream
Base / Non-EEHelps Nova Scotia employers hire and retain workers with skills the province needs. For applicants who have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. Full-time means year-round work of at least 30 hours per week, and permanent means the job has no end date. Suitable for applicants who have a genuine Nova Scotia employer and a credible long-term employment plan.
- Full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
- Employer must be established and eligible
- Applicant must have the skills, education, and work experience required for the job
- Legal status, if applying from inside Canada
- Language ability required for the occupation and stream criteria
- Intention to live and work permanently in Nova Scotia
- EOI submission and selection by Nova Scotia
Skilled Worker - Physician Sub-Criteria
Base / Non-EENova Scotia's consolidated Skilled Worker stream includes physician sub-criteria that mirror the former Physician Stream - same eligibility requirements as the former standalone Physician Stream. A strong physician case should include the approved job opportunity, licensing pathway, credential documents, and evidence of the applicant's ability to practise in Nova Scotia.
- Approved job opportunity from Nova Scotia Health (NSH)
- Approved job opportunity from IWK Health Centre (IWK)
- Licensing pathway with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
- Credential documents and ability to practise in Nova Scotia
Skilled Worker - Construction Worker Sub-Criteria
Base / Non-EENova Scotia's consolidated Skilled Worker stream also includes construction worker sub-criteria - same eligibility requirements as the former Critical Construction Worker Pilot. May be relevant for construction-sector workers where Nova Scotia has labour-market needs and the applicant has a qualifying Nova Scotia employer.
- Carpenters
- Construction trades helpers and labourers
- Heavy equipment operators
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Welders
- Other eligible construction occupations, depending on current criteria
Nova Scotia Graduate Stream
Base / Non-EEFor recent international graduates whose skills and education match specific high-demand NOC job categories in Nova Scotia. The official 2026 guide states that the stream is currently open to workers in NOC 32102 (paramedical occupations), NOC 32124 (pharmacy technicians), NOC 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates), and NOC 42202 (early childhood educators and assistants).
- Recent graduation from an eligible program
- Full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
- Job offer in one of the listed eligible NOC categories
- Ability to perform the job duties
- Required language ability
- Intention to live and work permanently in Nova Scotia
- EOI submission and selection by Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia: Express Entry Stream
Express Entry-alignedFor skilled people who want to make Nova Scotia their permanent home and who qualify under at least one of the stream's routes: (1) at least one year of skilled work experience in Nova Scotia, (2) a job offer to work in Nova Scotia as a physician (NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102 with ECA from the Medical Council of Canada and a Return of Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness), or (3) a Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia in the applicant's Express Entry profile. If nominated, the applicant accepts the nomination in Express Entry and receives 600 additional CRS points.
- At least one year of skilled work experience in Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia work-experience route)
- Physician job offer in Nova Scotia (Physician route - NOC 31100/31101/31102 with ECA from MCC and Return of Service Agreement)
- Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia through Express Entry (LOI route - not open for direct application unless NS issues the candidate an LOI)
- Active federal Express Entry profile
Common eligibility themes — Nova Scotia PNP
NSNP applications must be accurate, complete, and aligned with Nova Scotia's current labour-market priorities. Nova Scotia's Express Entry guide states that an EOI may be closed if required documents are missing or if the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria. Submitting an EOI and meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee processing, assessment, approval, nomination, or permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) - important related pathway: although the AIP is not technically a Nova Scotia PNP stream, it is a major permanent residence pathway for Nova Scotia employers and foreign workers. IRCC states that the AIP is a pathway to PR for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one of the four Atlantic provinces. Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada, and employers must first be designated and have positions endorsed by the province before identified foreign workers can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence. Many Nova Scotia employer-supported cases may fit AIP better than NSNP.
Major Nova Scotia cities and regional opportunities: Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville); Cape Breton (Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, North Sydney); Other Nova Scotia Communities (Truro, New Glasgow, Kentville, Wolfville, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Amherst, Antigonish, Pictou, Inverness, Digby). Location matters because Nova Scotia's labour-market needs, employer availability, healthcare recruitment, trades demand, and regional retention priorities can affect the strength of the case.
- Correct stream selection under the new consolidated structure
- Full-time, permanent Nova Scotia job offer, where required
- Employer eligibility and business credibility
- Accurate NOC / TEER classification
- Wage and job-duty consistency
- Legal status in Canada, if applying from inside Canada
- Language test results, where required
- Education and licensing evidence, where required
- Strong intention to live and work in Nova Scotia
- EOI submission and selection by Nova Scotia
- Priority-sector fit under current selection rules
- Complete documentation and program-integrity compliance
Our Nova Scotia PNP Process
Profile Review
We assess your education, work experience, language scores, occupation, job offer, Express Entry profile, and Nova Scotia settlement goals.
Stream Selection
We identify the strongest NSNP or AIP pathway based on your employer, occupation, graduate status, healthcare profile, or Express Entry eligibility.
EOI or Profile Setup
We prepare the Nova Scotia EOI or Express Entry strategy, depending on the selected pathway.
Employer Coordination
For job-offer pathways, we guide the employer on job-offer details, required forms, wage, duties, and supporting documents.
NSNP Application
If selected, we prepare and submit the NSNP application with supporting evidence.
Nomination and PR
After nomination, we guide the applicant through the federal permanent residence application with IRCC.
Indicative timelines
Processing times and selection priorities change frequently. Applicants should always check current NSNP, AIP, and IRCC information before relying on any timeline.
Nova Scotia PNP — Frequently asked questions
Is the Nova Scotia PNP open?
What are the current NSNP streams?
Does Nova Scotia still have Labour Market Priorities?
Do I need a job offer for Nova Scotia PNP?
Can Nova Scotia PNP be linked to Express Entry?
Is AIP the same as Nova Scotia PNP?
Are food service supervisors eligible?
Does an NSNP nomination guarantee permanent residence?
Fees
NSNP government fees, federal IRCC permanent residence fees, biometrics, medical exams, police certificates, translations, ECAs, language tests, and professional fees are separate and may change. Halani Immigration Services Inc.'s professional fee depends on the stream, complexity, employer involvement, Express Entry linkage, document volume, and whether the case includes employer coordination, procedural fairness, or federal PR representation.
Related services
Free assessment for Nova Scotia PNP
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) — provincial-fit analysis, EOI optimization, and end-to-end NSNP application support.