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Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Check our table summary of all NSNP streams, with their main criteria, their applicant fees, etc.
Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
The NSNP (Nova Scotia Nominee Program) is the program by which the government of NS selects its immigrant aspirants who will fill the labour market gaps in the province. The selected candidates will be referred to the government of Canada to apply for permanent residence.
The NSNP is one of Canada’s PNPs, with streams for workers, international graduates, and for entrepreneurs.
The NSNP is one of Canada’s PNPs, with streams for workers, international graduates, and for entrepreneurs.
Choosing Nova Scotia Immigration
Nova Scotia, which is at the extreme east of Canada, is one of the four Atlantic provinces of Canada. With a large coast, Nova Scotia has a large selection of beaches. Nova Scotia is the second-smallest of Canada's provinces, after Prince Edward Island.
Apart from some federal programs, Nova Scotia has its own immigration streams, which very diversified and sometimes targeted at one profession only. Most of the NSNP streams are Express Entry aligned. There are some streams that are targeted especially to physicians and early childhood educators.
With a successful application, a provincial nomination is issued which will lead to receiving 600 extra CRS points. This will lead towards the applicant receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be in the pool. There are streams for Skilled Workers with job offers in Nova Scotia, and for entrepreneurs already established in the province or foreigners wishing to invest their money in the province as well.
Apart from some federal programs, Nova Scotia has its own immigration streams, which very diversified and sometimes targeted at one profession only. Most of the NSNP streams are Express Entry aligned. There are some streams that are targeted especially to physicians and early childhood educators.
With a successful application, a provincial nomination is issued which will lead to receiving 600 extra CRS points. This will lead towards the applicant receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be in the pool. There are streams for Skilled Workers with job offers in Nova Scotia, and for entrepreneurs already established in the province or foreigners wishing to invest their money in the province as well.
Overview of Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Streams
| Stream | Main Criteria (not exhaustive) | Job Offer Required | Aligned with Express Entry | Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS Experience: Express Entry | Be in the Express Entry pool and have min 1 year of job experience in Nova Scotia | No | Yes | $0 |
| NS Labour Market Priorities | Be in the Express Entry pool and receive a Letter of Interest from Nova Scotia It is impossible to know in advance who will receive an invitation, as criteria change depending on the labour needs of the province | No | Yes | $0 |
| Labour Market Priorities for Physicians | Be in the Express Entry pool and have a job offer with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre, for NOC 31100, 31101 and 31102 (general and specialist practitioners) | Yes | Yes | $0 |
| Physician | Have a job offer with the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre, for NOC 31100, 31101 and 31102 (general and specialist practitioners) | Yes | No | $0 |
| Skilled Worker | Valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer | Yes | No | $0 |
| Occupations in Demand | Valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in one of the in-demand occupations (list available in stream page) Have min. 1 year of work experience related to the job | Yes | No | $0 |
| International Graduates in Demand | Valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in either NOC 32102 (Paramedical occupations), 32124 (Pharmacy technicians), 33102 (Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates) or 42202 (Early childhood educators and assistants) Have graduated from a program related to the job | Yes | No | $0 |
| Critical Construction Workers Pilot | Valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer in an eligible construction occupation (list available in stream page) Have min. 1 year of work experience related to the job | Yes | No | $0 |
| International Graduate Entrepreneur | Graduation from min 2-year full-time post-secondary program of study in Nova Scotia Have owned and operated a business in Nova Scotia for at least one year (min 33.33% ownership) | No | No | $0 |
| Entrepreneur | Min 3 years business owner or 5 years senior management experience Min net worth of $600,000 and min investment of $150,000 | No | No | $0 |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Stream Guides
For more detailed information on the NSNP streams, you can consult our stream guides below. Each guide includes the stream's eligibility requirements, application process, documents needed, cost, processing times, etc.
Which PNPs are open?
If you feel like you could be eligible to one of the Nova Scotia's Nominee Programs, you can check out here if they are currently open.
