Nova Scotia PNP – Streams, Eligibility & Process for Permanent Residency

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) enables the province to select foreign workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs with the skills and experience needed in the local labour market. Through this program, Nova Scotia nominates candidates for Canadian permanent residency, supporting both provincial economic growth and federal immigration goals. Successful applicants benefit from faster PR pathways, especially when aligned with Express Entry.

• 3,150 provincial nominations are allocated to Nova Scotia for 2025 under the Immigration Levels Plan.
• As of August, 1,838 nominations have been used, with 1,312 still available.
• In-demand sectors include healthcare, skilled trades, and select technology roles listed in Nova Scotia’s Occupations in Demand stream.
• The NSNP provides a reliable pathway to Canadian permanent residency, especially for applicants with job offers in priority occupations.
• Nova Scotia offers a growing economy and welcoming communities, making it an attractive option for skilled professionals seeking career and settlement opportunities in Canada.

What is the Nova Scotia PNP (Provincial Nominee Program)?

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) is a provincial immigration pathway that allows Nova Scotia to nominate individuals whose skills, work experience, and education align with the province’s labour market and demographic needs. The program is managed by Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The NSNP is part of Canada’s broader immigration system, where provinces and territories play a role in selecting newcomers to meet regional priorities. Once nominated by Nova Scotia, applicants can apply to IRCC for permanent residency, either through Express Entry–aligned streams or non-Express Entry pathways. This two-step process ensures both provincial and federal approval for immigration.

Benefits of the Nova Scotia PNP for Applicants

• 3,150 provincial nominations are allocated to Nova Scotia for 2025 under the Immigration Levels Plan.
• As of August, 1,838 nominations have been used, with 1,312 still available.
• In-demand sectors include healthcare, skilled trades, and select technology roles listed in Nova Scotia’s Occupations in Demand stream.
• The NSNP provides a reliable pathway to Canadian permanent residency, especially for applicants with job offers in priority occupations.
• Nova Scotia offers a growing economy and welcoming communities, making it an attractive option for skilled professionals seeking career and settlement opportunities in Canada.

Nova Scotia PNP Streams

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) offers a variety of immigration streams designed to attract skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who can help meet the province’s economic and labour market needs. Each stream has its own requirements but all provide a pathway to Canadian permanent residency.

Nova Scotia Express Entry Stream

This stream is aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry system. It targets skilled workers with at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in occupations classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Applicants must have an active Express Entry profile, meet minimum language requirements (CLB 5–7 depending on the occupation), and intend to live in Nova Scotia. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, significantly improving the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

Through this stream, Nova Scotia selects candidates directly from the Express Entry pool by issuing a Letter of Interest (LOI) to those who match current provincial labour needs. The eligibility criteria vary with each draw and often focus on priority sectors such as healthcare and social services. Candidates must apply within 30 days of receiving an LOI. This stream gives the province flexibility to respond quickly to changing labour shortages.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur Streams

• Entrepreneur Stream: Designed for experienced business owners or senior managers who wish to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia and actively manage it. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), demonstrate minimum net worth and investment capacity, and commit to operating the business under a performance agreement.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Open to international students who graduated from a recognized Nova Scotia institution and have owned and managed a business in the province for at least one year. This stream helps retain talented graduates who want to stay and contribute to Nova Scotia’s economy.

International Graduate and Other Specific Streams

• International Graduates in Demand Stream: For recent graduates with job offers in occupations where demand is high, such as healthcare support workers, paramedical staff, and early childhood educators.
• Occupations in Demand Stream: Focused on specific intermediate-skilled jobs (TEER 4 or 5) with persistent labour shortages, such as transport truck drivers and healthcare aides.
• Critical Construction Worker Pilot: Targets skilled trades and labour positions in Nova Scotia’s construction sector, supporting infrastructure growth.
• Physician Stream: Dedicated to doctors with approved job offers from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre, helping the province meet healthcare staffing needs.

Eligibility Criteria for Nova Scotia PNP

• Job offer (required for some streams; not required for others such as Labour Market Priorities or Experience: Express Entry)
• Education credentials and, if applicable, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for studies completed outside Canada
• Language proficiency proven through approved tests (IELTS General, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada) meeting the required CLB level
• Relevant work experience as per stream requirements
• Proof of settlement funds (as per IRCC’s annual update)
• Genuine intent to live and work in Nova Scotia

Documents Required for Nova Scotia PNP Application

When applying to the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), applicants must provide a complete set of documents to support their eligibility. The exact checklist depends on the stream, but typically includes:

• Valid passport and government-issued identity documents
• Job offer letter and employer forms (if applying under job-offer streams)
• Educational credentials and transcripts; an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required for education completed outside Canada when applying through Express Entry–aligned streams
• Approved language test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada) that meet the minimum CLB requirement
• Work experience proof such as reference letters, employment contracts, or pay records
• Proof of settlement funds (bank statements or letters) to show financial readiness, where required
• Accommodation or settlement plan details demonstrating intent to live in Nova Scotia
• Police certificates and medical examination results (submitted later during the federal PR stage with IRCC)
• Business plan and financial documents (for Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur streams)

Application Process – How to Apply for Nova Scotia PNP

Step 1: Choose the Appropriate Stream

Review the Nova Scotia PNP streams (e.g., Skilled Worker, Labour Market Priorities, Experience: Express Entry, Entrepreneur) and select the one that matches your profile and goals.

Step 2: Prepare Your Profile and Documents

Depending on the stream, create an Express Entry profile (for EE-aligned streams) or prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI) (for Entrepreneur streams). Gather required documents, such as passport, education credentials, language test results, work experience letters, and settlement funds proof.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Apply online through the official Nova Scotia Immigration portal. For streams like Labour Market Priorities, you must apply within 30 days of receiving a provincial Letter of Interest (LOI). Entrepreneur applicants submit their EOI and wait for an invitation before filing the full application.

Step 4: Receive Provincial Nomination

If your application is successful, Nova Scotia will issue a Provincial Nomination Certificate. For Express Entry–aligned streams, you must accept the nomination in your Express Entry account, which adds 600 CRS points.

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residence with IRCC

With the provincial nomination, submit your complete permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Pay the required PR fees, provide biometrics, police certificates, and medical exam results. IRCC makes the final decision on granting permanent residency.

Nova Scotia PNP Processing Fees

When applying through the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), applicants benefit from the fact that the province does not charge any application or nomination fees. This makes Nova Scotia one of the more affordable provinces for immigration compared to others that levy provincial charges.

However, once you receive a nomination, you must pay the required federal fees to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as part of your permanent residence (PR) application. These include processing fees, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics charges.

Applicant Type	Processing Fee (CAD)	RPRF (CAD)	Total (CAD)
Principal applicant	$950	$575	$1,525
Spouse/partner	$950	$575	$1,525
Dependent child	$260	N/A	$260
Biometrics	$85 per person	N/A	$85
Biometrics (family max)	$170	N/A	$170

Note: These fees are paid directly to IRCC during the PR application stage and must be settled before your application can be processed.

Nova Scotia PNP Processing Time

The typical processing time for Nova Scotia PNP applications is a few months at the provincial stage, followed by approximately 9 to 12 months at the federal stage with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Processing times can vary depending on the stream, application volume, and whether the profile falls under priority occupations. In general, the Nova Scotia government reviews applications first and issues a provincial nomination, after which applicants submit a permanent residence application to IRCC. The two-step process ensures both provincial selection and federal approval before granting permanent residency.

Advantages of Nova Scotia PNP vs Other PNPs

Factor	Nova Scotia PNP	Other Provincial Nominee Programs
Application Fees	No provincial application or nomination fee, making it cost-effective.	Many provinces charge fees ranging from a few hundred to over CAD $1,500.
CRS Score Requirements	Labour Market Priorities Stream can select candidates from Express Entry with relatively moderate CRS scores; nomination adds +600 CRS points.	Some provinces require higher CRS scores or specific job offers to qualify.
Targeted Occupations	Dedicated streams for healthcare, social assistance, and construction (e.g., Occupations in Demand, Critical Construction Worker Pilot).	Other provinces may not have as many sector-specific pilots or may focus only on high-demand jobs.
Lifestyle & Cost of Living	Lower cost of living compared to major provinces like Ontario or British Columbia; balanced lifestyle with strong community support.	Larger provinces often have higher living costs, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Nova Scotia PNP for UK Applicants

UK citizens can apply to the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) through the same streams as other international applicants. Key factors to consider include:

• Credential Verification: UK academic qualifications must be assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Express Entry–aligned streams to confirm Canadian equivalency.
• Language Proficiency: Even though English is the first language, UK applicants must provide results from an approved test (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, or PTE Core) meeting the minimum CLB level for their chosen stream.
• Job Matching: Nova Scotia is prioritizing workers in healthcare, social assistance, and construction. UK professionals in these sectors may benefit if their skills match in-demand occupations. Regulated professions like medicine, nursing, or trades require licensing in Nova Scotia.
• Proof of Funds & Settlement Costs: Applicants must show sufficient settlement funds as per IRCC’s requirements and plan for relocation costs such as travel, housing, and shipping.
• Licensing & Recognition: There are no automatic bilateral recognition agreements between Canada and the UK. Professional accreditation in regulated occupations may involve additional exams or bridging programs.

Recent Updates & Nova Scotia PNP News

• Nova Scotia is prioritizing in-province applicants who hold work permits expiring soon, especially in healthcare, social assistance, and construction sectors.
• Applications from outside Canada are being limited. International applicants are mainly considered if they are in priority sectors such as healthcare, social assistance, or construction.
• The province has confirmed that it cannot process all eligible applications due to high demand and reduced nomination spaces. Some applications in non-priority areas may be delayed or paused.
• The Accommodation and Food Services sector is paused for new applications while the province processes existing files.
• Nova Scotia has received a reduced immigration allocation compared to the previous year, meaning fewer nominations are available.
• For upcoming cycles, the province intends to continue prioritizing healthcare, social assistance, and construction workers, while other priorities will depend on federal allocations.

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