Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Nova Scotia's provincial nominee program for skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs
The NSNP nominates skilled workers, recent graduates, entrepreneurs, and Express Entry candidates for permanent residence in Nova Scotia. As of February 2026, the program has four consolidated streams — each with clear eligibility criteria rather than a points grid.
Updated February 2026: The NSNP restructured 10 old streams into 4 consolidated streams. If you previously applied under an old stream, your EOI remains active. New submissions use the new structure.
Have a quick question about NSNP?
Not sure which stream or sub-criteria applies to you? Message us — we respond within a few hours on business days.
Overview
What is the NSNP — and how is it different from other PNPs?
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is Nova Scotia's economic immigration program, run jointly by the Government of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. It nominates skilled workers, recent graduates, entrepreneurs, and Express Entry candidates for Canadian permanent residence based on their ability to fill gaps in Nova Scotia's labour market.
The NSNP works differently from Alberta and Saskatchewan PNPs. There is no points grid — you either meet the eligibility requirements for a stream, or you don't. Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and may receive an Invitation to Apply. Most streams require a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer — making employer partnership essential to this pathway.
The program is popular — Nova Scotia received significantly more submissions in 2025 than it could process, and intake in some sectors (notably Accommodation and Food Services) remains paused. An RCIC can advise on realistic timelines and which streams are actively processing before you invest time in an application.
Important: NSNP is not a points system. Unlike AAIP, SINP, or OINP, there is no EOI score to maximise. Eligibility is binary — you meet all the criteria, or you don't. The key variables are: securing a qualifying job offer, meeting the language threshold, age range, and having the right work experience. If you're close but not quite there, a consultation will map what steps would make you eligible.
Stream 1
Skilled Worker stream
The Skilled Worker stream is the broadest NSNP pathway. It helps Nova Scotia employers recruit foreign workers and recent international graduates whose skills are needed in the province. There are four sub-criteria, each targeting a specific situation or sector.
General Skilled Worker eligibility requirements
Job offer: Full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer
Work experience: 1 year related to the job. TEER 4 or 5 workers must already have 6 months' experience with the same employer.
Age: 21 to 55 years old
Education: High school diploma (minimum)
Language: CLB 5 for TEER 0–3 occupations. CLB 4 for TEER 4–5. If your first language is English or French, that is sufficient for TEER 0–3 (test required for TEER 4–5 regardless).
Finances: Sufficient funds to settle in Nova Scotia
Not eligible: PGWP holders working in TEER 5 positions
Construction sector sub-criteria
For workers with a job offer in the Nova Scotia construction sector (NAICS 23). Requirements are similar to general skilled worker, but the job offer must be in one of 22 specific construction NOC codes including electricians, carpenters, welders, crane operators, HVAC mechanics, roofers, and construction labourers.
Key differences from general skilled worker:
High school diploma OR proof of completing a construction-specific training program. Language test required at CLB 5 (TEER 0–3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4–5) even if your first language is English or French.
Physician sub-criteria
Only for general practitioners, family physicians (NOC 31102), and specialist physicians (NOC 31100, 31101) with a signed approved opportunity from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the IWK Health Centre. The opportunity must be on official letterhead, signed by both the applicant and an authorized NSHA/IWK representative, and confirm eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
Occupations in Demand sub-criteria
For workers in occupations Nova Scotia has identified as high-priority for its labour market. Eligibility requirements align with the general skilled worker criteria, applied to specific in-demand occupations. Note that the Accommodation and Food Services sector is currently not accepting new submissions due to a high volume of pending applications.
Sector pause notice: As of April 17, 2024, the NSNP is not accepting new Skilled Worker submissions in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (NAICS 72) due to high volumes. Check the Nova Scotia government website or consult an RCIC for the current status before applying in this sector.
Stream 2
Nova Scotia Graduate stream
The Nova Scotia Graduate stream is for recent international graduates of Nova Scotia designated learning institutions. Unlike most graduate streams, this is only open to four specific NOC codes that align with healthcare and early childhood education — not to graduates generally. If your NOC is not on this list, you would need to apply through the Skilled Worker stream instead.
Currently open to these NOC codes only:
NOC 32102
Paramedical occupations — requires diploma
NOC 32124
Pharmacy technicians — requires diploma
NOC 33102
Nurse aides, orderlies & patient service associates — 24-week min. program
NOC 42202
Early childhood educators and assistants — requires diploma or degree
Nova Scotia Graduate eligibility requirements
Job offer: Full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the four eligible NOC codes, matching your field of study
Education: Completed a qualifying program at an eligible Nova Scotia designated learning institution within the past 3 years. Program must be at least 30 weeks (24 weeks for NOC 33102), with at least 50% completed in Nova Scotia.
Age: 19 to 55 years old
Certifications: Must hold all certifications required by Nova Scotia regulatory bodies for the job
Language: CLB 5 in English or French
High school diploma and sufficient finances to settle in Nova Scotia
Stream 3
Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream
This stream is for skilled workers and physicians who want to use the federal Express Entry system to immigrate to Nova Scotia. It requires an active Express Entry profile — and unlike many PNP Express Entry streams, the NS Express Entry stream requires actual work experience in Nova Scotia specifically, not just anywhere in Canada.
What a nomination means for your CRS score: A provincial nomination through the Express Entry stream adds 600 CRS points to your profile — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at the next federal draw. This is the single biggest boost available in the entire Express Entry system.
Eligibility requirements
Nova Scotia work experience: At least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. PGWP holders must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.
Express Entry profile: Active profile registered in IRCC's federal Express Entry system
Age: 21 to 55 years old
Education: Canadian high school credential or equivalent
Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations. CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
Physician sub-criteria (Express Entry)
Only for general practitioners, family physicians (NOC 31102), and specialist physicians (NOC 31100, 31101) with an approved opportunity from NSHA or IWK and a signed Return for Service Agreement committing to live and work in Nova Scotia for a minimum of two years. Must receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP within the Express Entry system, and submit the EOI within 30 calendar days of that letter.
Is the NS Express Entry stream point-based? No. There is no separate Nova Scotia points grid for this stream. Nova Scotia reviews your EOI based on the eligibility criteria above and may nominate you. If nominated, the 600 CRS points are added to your federal Express Entry profile — which is what triggers your ITA from IRCC. Your federal CRS score matters for timing, but there is no provincial scoring component.
Stream 4
Entrepreneur stream
The Entrepreneur stream is for experienced business owners or senior managers who want to start or buy a business in Nova Scotia. Application is by invitation only — you must submit an EOI and wait to be invited before applying. Nomination is only confirmed after operating the business in Nova Scotia for one year.
Eligibility
Age: 21 or older
Net worth: CAD $600,000 minimum (CAD $400,000 outside Halifax Regional Municipality)
Investment: Must invest at least CAD $150,000 of personal funds ($100,000 outside HRM)
Business experience: 3+ years actively managing and owning a business (minimum 1/3 ownership), OR 5+ years as a senior business manager
Language: CLB 5 in English or French
Process: Submit EOI → receive invitation → apply → operate business 1 year → receive nomination
Eligibility
Business: Already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least 1 continuous year (minimum 33.33% ownership)
Education: Degree or diploma from a Nova Scotia university or Nova Scotia Community College after at least 2 academic years of full-time, in-person study
Work permit: Valid Post-Graduate Work Permit
Language: CLB 7 in English or French (higher than general entrepreneur)
Process: Submit EOI → receive invitation → apply → nomination based on business performance
Eligibility Checker
Nova Scotia PNP Eligibility Checker
Unlike AAIP, SINP, or OINP, the NSNP does not use a points grid — eligibility is based on meeting all criteria for your stream. Use this checker to see whether your profile meets the requirements for each stream.
Select a stream, answer the questions, and see immediately whether you appear to meet the key eligibility criteria.
Step 1 — Select the stream to check:
Complete all fields to see whether you appear to meet the eligibility criteria for this stream.
Not sure which stream or sub-criteria applies to your situation?
Many applicants aren't certain which stream matches their background, or whether their employer qualifies. A one-hour consultation with our RCIC will give you a clear, personalised answer before you invest time in an application.
Book a Consultation →This tool provides a preliminary eligibility estimate only and is not a substitute for professional immigration advice. Eligibility requirements are based on the NSNP streams as of February 18, 2026. Individual circumstances may vary. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your profile. Litmus Immigration Services Inc. — CICC Member | CAPIC Member.
Professional Support
Why NSNP applications benefit from RCIC support
The NSNP's eligibility-based structure means there's no score to optimise — but there's plenty that can go wrong in a self-prepared application, and rejection here doesn't give you a second chance in the same intake.
Stream selection
Choosing the right stream and sub-criteria
The recent consolidation from 10 to 4 streams has created sub-criteria that mirror old streams — and many applicants aren't sure which applies to them. An RCIC maps your exact background to the correct stream and sub-criteria before you invest time in an application.
Employer qualification
The employer must qualify — not just the worker
Most NSNP streams require the employer to demonstrate they couldn't fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Employer documentation errors are one of the most common reasons NSNP applications are rejected. We work with you and your employer to ensure all required employer forms are complete and compliant.
Sector and intake status
Some sectors are paused — applying now would be wasted effort
The NSNP paused Accommodation and Food Services intake in April 2024 and flagged general capacity limits in July 2025. Before submitting, an RCIC will confirm whether your sector is currently accepting applications and what realistic timelines look like.
Express Entry profile alignment
For the Express Entry stream — your federal profile must be accurate and strong
The NS Express Entry stream nomination triggers a 600-point CRS boost — but only if your federal profile is complete, accurate, and in a qualifying stream. Errors in your profile can delay or invalidate a nomination. We review your Express Entry profile before you submit your NS EOI.
Book a consultation before you submit your NSNP EOI
Our RCIC will confirm your stream, verify your employer's documentation, check sector intake status, and prepare a complete EOI package — so your application is submitted correctly the first time.
