Nova Scotia immigration: provincial nominee streams

Since 2026-02-18 the NSNP has four streams (Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, Nova Scotia: Express Entry); ten earlier streams were folded in. Selection is by periodic draws from the EOI pool with no published scores. The accommodation and food services sector has been closed to new submissions since 2024-04-17. Application fees started 2026-09-01.

How the province selects

Expression of Interest pool with periodic provincial draws based on priorities (healthcare, construction and trades, STEM, natural resources, manufacturing), remaining allocation and pool size; no points cutoff published.

Key facts

• Application fee from 2026-09-01: $1,000 for worker streams (Skilled Worker, Graduate, Express Entry) and $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream.
• EOIs are valid 12 months from 2026-05-01, with phased transition measures for older submissions.
• Skilled Worker needs a permanent full-time Nova Scotia job offer, 1 year of related experience (6 months with the employer for TEER 4-5), age 21-55, and CLB 5 (TEER 0-3) or CLB 4 (TEER 4-5).
• Nova Scotia: Express Entry needs 1 year of Nova Scotia work in TEER 0-3, CLB 7 for TEER 0-1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2-3, and a Notice of Interest in the Express Entry account.
• On 2026-07-14 the province announced a one-time expansion of selection priorities covering several more sectors for candidates with work permits expiring in 2026 or earlier.

Province says demand exceeds its annual federal allocation but no number was found on its pages.