Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s smaller provinces, situated in the Maritime region on the eastern side of the country. It consists mainly of the Nova Scotia mainland peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and thousands of surrounding smaller islands. The province is well known for its strong coastal identity and maritime heritage.
The capital city, Halifax, serves as the province’s main urban centre and is widely recognized for its vibrant cultural scene, arts community, and overall quality of life. Life in Nova Scotia is deeply influenced by the ocean, and the province is especially admired for its scenic shorelines and fresh seafood cuisine.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is an immigration pathway offered by the province of Nova Scotia. It allows the province to select and nominate individuals who have the skills, education, or work experience needed in the local labour market. Successful applicants may receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate, which can support their application for permanent residence in Canada.
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Overview of the Nova Scotia PNP
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) was introduced in 2003 to support the province’s economic growth and address ongoing labour market shortages by attracting skilled immigrants.
Over the past two decades, immigration to Nova Scotia has increased significantly—largely due to the expansion of the NSNP and the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) in 2017. As a result, the province now receives more than 7,000 newcomers annually.
Nova Scotia also has a strong retention rate of over 70%. This improvement is linked to better alignment between newcomers and available job opportunities through both the NSNP and AIP. These programs also make it easier for international graduates and temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residence.
Immigration Streams in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia operates both enhanced streams and base streams under its provincial immigration system.
Enhanced streams include:
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
Enhanced streams are connected to the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for Canada’s main economic immigration programs. Candidates in Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the highest-ranked individuals are invited to apply for permanent residence during regular draws.
A provincial nomination through an enhanced stream adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s score, which almost guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. In these cases, the nomination is processed through the applicant’s Express Entry profile.
Most other NSNP streams are base streams, meaning they are not linked to Express Entry. Applicants under these streams apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after receiving a nomination.
Many NSNP pathways also require minimum language ability measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), a scale ranging from 1 to 12 that assesses English or French proficiency.
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
Need a job offer? No
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this stream, applicants must:
- Have an active Express Entry profile
- Receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) through their Express Entry account
- Meet the work experience requirements of one of the federal Express Entry programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provide valid documents proving their work experience
- Show sufficient funds to settle in Nova Scotia permanently
- Meet the specific requirements of the selected draw, as each selection round may have additional criteria
Application Process
The first step is ensuring eligibility and maintaining an active Express Entry profile.
Candidates cannot apply unless they first receive a Letter of Interest from the NSOI. Once this invitation is received, applicants have 60 days to submit their application.
Applicants must also follow the draw-specific instructions and upload all required supporting documents through the official Nova Scotia Nominee Program system.
If approved, the applicant receives a provincial nomination certificate by email, and it is also reflected in their Express Entry profile. The candidate then has 30 days to accept the nomination.
After acceptance, 600 additional CRS points are added to the applicant’s score, which greatly increases the chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Once an ITA is issued, the applicant can proceed with submitting their permanent residence application through the federal Express Entry system.
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians
Need a job offer? Yes
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a valid Express Entry profile
- Receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) through their Express Entry account
- Hold a job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre
- Position must be as a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or NOC 3112)
- Meet the work experience requirements under one of the federal Express Entry programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provide proper documentation to prove relevant work experience
- Agree to remain in Nova Scotia for at least two years by signing a Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to settle in the province permanently
Application Process
The first step is confirming eligibility and ensuring you have an active Express Entry profile. Candidates must submit their Express Entry profile number to the NSOI.
If selected, the applicant receives a Letter of Interest through their Express Entry account. They then have 30 days to submit a complete application to the NSNP along with all required documents.
If approved, the candidate is issued a provincial nomination, which is also added to their Express Entry profile. The applicant must accept the nomination within 30 days.
Once accepted, the applicant receives an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Skilled Worker Stream (Nova Scotia)
Need a job offer? Yes
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be between 21 and 55 years old
- Have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in Nova Scotia
- Hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent education
- Have the necessary education, training, certification, or licensing for the job duties
- Have at least 12 months of relevant work experience within the past five years
- Meet language requirements depending on job skill level:
- NOC 0, A, or B: CLB 5 in English or French
- NOC C or D: CLB 4 in English or French
- Intend to permanently live in Nova Scotia
- Show sufficient financial resources to support settlement
- Ensure the employer meets all additional program requirements
Application Process
First, applicants must confirm they meet all eligibility requirements and prepare their application through the official Nova Scotia immigration portal. All supporting documents must be uploaded and submitted online.
If the application is approved, the applicant receives a nomination certificate by email (or through their authorized representative). The nomination is also forwarded directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
After receiving the nomination, the applicant must apply for permanent residence with IRCC within six months.
Applicants may also request a Letter of Support from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), which can help them obtain a temporary work permit so they can remain in Nova Scotia while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed.
Occupation In-Demand Stream
Need a job offer? Yes
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligible Occupations
This stream targets specific in-demand jobs, including:
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
Food and beverage servers (NOC 6513)
Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support roles (NOC 6711)
Light duty cleaners (NOC 6731)
Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511)
Heavy equipment operators (excluding crane operators) (NOC 7521)
Construction trades helpers and labourers (NOC 7611)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be between 21 and 55 years old
Have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the listed occupations
Have at least one year of relevant work experience
Hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent education
Possess the required training or qualifications for the job
Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB 4 in English or French
Show sufficient funds to support settlement in Nova Scotia
Application Process
Applicants must first confirm eligibility and prepare their application by gathering all required documents. The application is then submitted through the official Nova Scotia immigration portal.
If approved, the applicant receives a nomination certificate via email (or through their representative). The nomination is also sent directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
After receiving the nomination, applicants can apply for permanent residence directly through IRCC, but must do so within six months.
In some cases, applicants may also request a Letter of Support from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) to obtain a temporary work permit, allowing them to stay in the province while their PR application is being processed.
International Graduates In-Demand Stream
Need a job offer? Yes
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligible Occupations
This stream applies to the following roles:
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the listed occupations
- Be between 21 and 55 years old
- Hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent qualification
- Have completed a post-secondary or training program of at least 30 weeks within the last three years
- At least 50% of the program must have been completed in Nova Scotia
- Hold the required certification or licensing for the occupation
- Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB 5 in English or French
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to settle permanently in Nova Scotia
Application Process
Applicants must first ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and then prepare their application with the required supporting documents. The completed application is submitted through the official Nova Scotia immigration portal.
If approved, the applicant receives a nomination certificate by email (or through their representative). The nomination is also forwarded to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
After receiving the nomination, the applicant can apply for permanent residence directly with IRCC, provided they do so within six months.
In some cases, applicants may request a Letter of Support from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI), which allows them to obtain a temporary work permit while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed.
Entrepreneur Stream
Need a job offer? No
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be at least 21 years old
Have a minimum net worth of CAD $600,000 in personal and business assets
Have legally obtained their net worth
Have at least 3 years of business ownership experience (minimum one-third ownership) or more than 5 years of senior business management experience within the last 10 years
Commit to investing at least CAD $150,000 to start or purchase a business in Nova Scotia
Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB 5 in English or French
Hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent
Prepare a detailed Business Establishment Plan
Intend to live in Nova Scotia permanently
Application Process
Applicants must first confirm eligibility and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Nova Scotia program. Based on the information provided, candidates receive a ranking score, and only the highest-ranking individuals may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
If selected, applicants receive an ITA and must then submit a complete application to Nova Scotia, including:
Application form
Business Establishment Plan
Net Worth Verification Report
After receiving the ITA, applicants have:
20 days to select and notify a Net Worth Verifier
90 days to submit the application form and Business Establishment Plan
180 days to submit the Net Worth Verification Report
If requirements are met, candidates may be invited for an in-person interview. Successful applicants then receive a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to review and sign.
Once the BPA is submitted, Nova Scotia issues an Entrepreneur Approval Letter along with instructions to apply for a work permit. This allows the applicant to move to Nova Scotia and begin setting up their business.
Applicants must apply for the work permit within two months of receiving the approval letter and arrive in Nova Scotia within 12 months of receiving it. They must also meet NSOI officials within 60 days of arrival.
After operating the business and meeting all BPA conditions, applicants can request nomination by submitting a Nomination Request Form along with required financial and business reports.
If approved, a provincial nomination is issued and sent to IRCC. This nomination is valid for 6 months, after which the applicant can apply for permanent residence through IRCC.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Need a job offer? No
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be at least 21 years old
Hold a full-time Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree of at least two years
Have lived in Nova Scotia full-time while completing their studies
Intend to permanently reside in Nova Scotia
Have owned and actively operated a Nova Scotia business for at least one year before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Own at least one-third of the business equity
Be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business
Receive a salary or compensation from the business
Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB 7 in English or French
Application Process
Applicants must first confirm eligibility and then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Nova Scotia program. Candidates are scored based on their responses, and only the highest-ranking individuals may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
If selected, applicants receive an ITA and must submit a complete application to Nova Scotia, including:
Application form
Supporting documents
Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report
Applicants must also select a designated Financial Statement Review Service Provider to assess their financial records.
After receiving the ITA:
Within 20 days, applicants must choose and notify their selected review provider
Within 90 days, they must submit the full application and financial reports
If the application meets requirements, the candidate may be invited for an in-person interview. If successful, they are approved for nomination.
Once nominated, the province issues a nomination certificate that is sent directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applicants then have 6 months to apply for permanent residence through IRCC.
Physician Stream
Need a job offer? No
Application fee: None
Estimated processing time: At least 3 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a general practitioner, family physician, or specialist physician (NOC 3111 or 3112)
- Have a signed and approved employment opportunity with either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre
- Meet the education, training, and licensing requirements needed to practice medicine in Nova Scotia
Application Process
Applicants should first confirm they meet all eligibility criteria and prepare the required supporting documents.
They must then create an account and submit an online application through the official Nova Scotia immigration system.
If approved, the applicant receives a nomination confirmation letter from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI). The nomination is also sent directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
After receiving the nomination, the applicant can proceed with applying for permanent residence through IRCC. In some cases, applicants may also be invited for an interview.
Applicants may also request a Letter of Support from Nova Scotia, which allows them to apply for a temporary work permit. This replaces the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and enables the physician to work in Nova Scotia while waiting for permanent residence approval.
