Permanent Residency
Explore skilled migration and permanent residence pathways based on your profile and goals.
Explore PR OptionsProgram overview
What is the Nova Scotia Nominee Program?
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) allows the province to select eligible workers, graduates and entrepreneurs who can contribute to its economy and intend to settle in Nova Scotia. Provincial nomination is not permanent residence; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision.
From 18 February 2026, the NSNP consolidated its pathways into four main streams. Sub-criteria and selection priorities remain stream-specific. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not a guarantee of selection.
4Consolidated NSNP streams
12 monthsNew EOI validity
2026Updated fee framework
On this page
Choose your pathway
Nova Scotia PNP streams in 2026
The four-stream structure applies to new NSNP EOI submissions after 18 February 2026. Earlier EOIs remain in the system under applicable transition rules.
Skilled Worker
Employer-supported immigration for eligible foreign workers and certain international graduates. Additional sub-criteria cover occupations such as construction workers and physicians.
Nova Scotia: Express Entry
For qualifying candidates linked to the federal Express Entry system. Sub-criteria include eligible skilled work experience in Nova Scotia and certain provincial selection categories.
Nova Scotia Graduate
For recent eligible graduates with qualifying Nova Scotia employment in specified occupational categories, including selected health and early-childhood roles.
Entrepreneur
For eligible experienced business owners and managers establishing or purchasing and actively managing a Nova Scotia business. International graduate entrepreneur criteria are included within this stream.
Separate program: The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is not an NSNP stream and follows a distinct employer-driven process.
Before applying
Nova Scotia PNP eligibility requirements
There is no single age range, job-offer rule or points threshold that applies to every NSNP stream. Review the current sub-criteria for your intended pathway.
| Factor | What applicants should check |
|---|---|
| Job offer and employer | Whether a qualifying Nova Scotia employer and permanent, full-time offer are required for the chosen pathway. |
| Work experience | Relevant experience, NOC 2021 TEER category, job duties and any provincial experience requirements. |
| Language ability | Accepted English or French test and minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for the stream and occupation. |
| Education and licensing | Education credentials, any required credential assessment, and provincial professional registration where applicable. |
| Immigration status | Valid status and work authorization if applying from within Canada; requirements for overseas applicants differ. |
| Settlement intention | Genuine intention and ability to settle economically in Nova Scotia. |
Important: The former page's generic age/education/language points tables were not a universal NSNP scoring system and have been removed to avoid misleading applicants.
EOI and priorities
EOI validity, selection priorities and invitations
Eligible candidates submit an Expression of Interest for a suitable stream. The province may select submissions according to available nomination spaces, labour-market priorities, employer needs and other published criteria. Submission does not guarantee an invitation or nomination.
EOI validity
EOIs submitted on or after 1 May 2026 generally remain valid for 12 months. Earlier EOIs have transitional expiry rules.
Selection priorities
Nova Scotia has prioritized areas including healthcare and skilled trades, with different treatment for certain applicants already living and working in the province. Priorities may change.
Do not assume that meeting minimum stream eligibility, holding a job offer or having an Express Entry profile automatically results in selection.
Government charges
Nova Scotia PNP fees in 2026
Effective 1 September 2026, Nova Scotia introduced provincial application assessment fees for NSNP submissions selected for assessment on or after that date.
| Stream / stage | Provincial fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | $1,000 |
| Nova Scotia Graduate | $1,000 |
| Nova Scotia: Express Entry | $1,000 |
| Entrepreneur | $2,000 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program (separate from NSNP) | No provincial application fee under this change |
For worker streams, the fee must generally be paid within 7 calendar days of notification that an EOI has been selected for assessment. Entrepreneur payment deadlines vary by business category. Fees are generally non-refundable, subject to limited exceptions.
Federal permanent residence fees, biometrics, medicals, language tests, translations and other expenses are separate.
Timelines
Nova Scotia PNP processing times
There is no single guaranteed NSNP processing period. The time to be selected from the EOI pool is separate from provincial assessment and the subsequent federal permanent residence application.
Provincial stage
Selection and assessment depend on priorities, available spaces, document completeness, employer checks and case-specific reviews.
Federal stage
Following nomination, eligible applicants apply to IRCC through the appropriate route. Medical, security and admissibility checks remain applicable.
Application journey
How to apply for Nova Scotia PNP
1
Choose a suitable stream
Review current stream and sub-criteria, including occupation, employer, language, education and status.
2
Prepare evidence
Collect identity, qualifications, employment records, language results and employer documents where required.
3
Submit an Expression of Interest
Complete the provincial online submission accurately for the applicable NSNP pathway.
4
Wait for provincial selection
Your EOI may be considered in future selections based on current provincial priorities and capacity.
5
Pay the fee and complete assessment
If selected, follow the notice, pay the applicable fee on time and provide any requested documentation.
6
Apply for permanent residence
If nominated, follow the correct IRCC application process within the deadline stated in your nomination documents.
Preparation checklist
Documents commonly required
- Passport and identity records
- Immigration status documents, if applicable
- Language test results where required
- Education records and assessments
- Work reference letters and pay evidence
- Job offer and employer forms, if applicable
- Professional registration, if applicable
- Stream-specific settlement and financial evidence
The exact document list depends on the chosen stream and its current application guide.
Explore your Nova Scotia immigration options
Peerless Immigration Services can help review your profile against the applicable Nova Scotia stream criteria. Selection, nomination and visa approval are not guaranteed.
Nova Scotia PNP FAQs
Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Entrepreneur and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. Each stream has its own requirements.
Some pathways may consider applicants outside Canada, depending on occupation, employer support and current selection priorities. Eligibility and selection are not guaranteed.
Several pathways require a qualifying Nova Scotia employer job offer. Some Express Entry sub-criteria differ; assess the specific pathway.
No. The NSNP does not use one universal age, education and language points grid for all four streams. Some sub-pathways have their own selection criteria.
For EOIs submitted on or after May 1, 2026, the validity period is 12 months. Transitional rules apply to older EOIs.
From September 1, 2026, the provincial assessment fee is CAD 1,000 for worker streams and CAD 2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream, subject to applicable selection and payment rules.
Provincial application assessment fees are generally non-refundable, except where required by law or for an administrative error. An EOI is not a nomination.
No. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final permanent residence and admissibility decision.
No. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a separate employer-driven immigration pathway with its own requirements.
No. Selection priorities can change based on labour-market needs, available nominations, occupation and immigration status.
An accepted enhanced provincial nomination through a qualifying Express Entry pathway generally adds 600 CRS points. This does not apply to every nomination.
There is no single guaranteed processing period. EOI selection, provincial assessment and federal PR processing are separate stages.
