Nova Scotia announces one-time expansion of immigration selection priorities
On July 14, 2026, Nova Scotia announced a one-time expansion of its immigration selection priorities to align with current labour market needs and available nomination spaces in 2026.
The Province is expanding its selection from active Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted on or before June 30, 2026, to include additional candidates already living and working in Nova Scotia. This approach supports workforce retention and helps address labour market needs within the province's available nomination spaces.
Eligibility criteria
The expanded selection includes candidates who have already submitted an EOI, have a work permit expiry date in 2026 or earlier, and meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Working in a TEER 0-4 occupation that supports key sectors of Nova Scotia's economy, such as Professional & Scientific, Manufacturing, Construction, Health & Social Services, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Transportation
- Graduating from a Nova Scotia designated learning institution and working in a TEER 0-5 occupation
- Living in a community outside the Halifax Regional Municipality and working in a TEER 0-5 occupation
- Working in a Sales and Service occupation (TEER 0-2) and earning at least $20 per hour at the time of EOI submission
- Working in Nova Scotia in any occupation and earning at least $27 per hour at the time of EOI submission
Work permit expiry may be considered as a secondary factor when determining the order in which selected applications are processed.
Nova Scotia nominee program priorities
On April 27, 2026, Nova Scotia outlined its current nominee program priorities, which focus on the province's most pressing labour-market needs while managing a limited number of nomination spaces.
Priority is given to candidates who show a genuine intention to live, work, and settle in Nova Scotia long-term.
Current priority focus
Healthcare and skilled trades occupations remain the top priority, covering TEER levels 0 to 4 only. This applies to both international applicants and temporary residents already living and working in the province.
Other priority occupations
Beyond healthcare and skilled trades, Nova Scotia may also consider nominations for temporary residents already in the province working in the following NOC groups, provided they meet program criteria and labour-market needs:
- NOC 2 – Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
- NOC 4 – Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services
- NOC 8 – Natural Resources, Agriculture and Related Production Occupations
- NOC 9 – Manufacturing and Utilities
These occupational groups are also limited to TEER levels 0 to 4.
Limited consideration for remaining occupations
For all other occupations outside the priority groups, nominations are currently restricted to TEER levels 0, 1, and 2, and only for temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia.
TEER 5 occupations are not being prioritized under any category at this time.
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), the Skilled Work Experience in Nova Scotia category of the Nova Scotia Express Entry stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream category, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Overview
The Skilled Work Experience in Nova Scotia category of the Nova Scotia Express Entry stream is one of Nova Scotia’s PNP streams category that requires the candidate to have work experience in Nova Scotia to be eligible.
When receiving a nomination under the stream category, candidates can then apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government of Canada.
This stream is aligned with Express Entry, and if nominated, a candidate will receive an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profile, thus guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. With Express Entry, candidates can take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of applications.
The stream category does not require the candidate to hold a valid job offer to be eligible, and there is no need to provide proof of settlement funds (however, when applying for PR under Express Entry, you might need to provide proof of settlement funds). There are other requirements that must be fulfilled regarding the candidate.
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Eligibility
There are 5 main categories of eligibility requirements that we will summarize below. You can apply to the Skilled Work Experience in Nova Scotia category of the Nova Scotia Express Entry stream if you satisfy to all the requirements below (remember that for each requirement, you will have to provide supporting documents).
Work experience
To be eligible to this stream category, you must demonstrate that you have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in Nova Scotia.
Your work experience in Nova Scotia must be:
- full-time (min. 30h/week) or an equal amount in part-time (min. 15h/week),
- paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships, co-op terms, etc. do not count),
- gained with the proper authorization (work permit, etc.),
- within the last 3 years, and
- in NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Work experience must not be dependent on a federal post-graduation work permit issued as a result of studies outside Nova Scotia.
Work experience gained while you were a full-time student or through self-employment will not be considered.
You have to demonstrate that you performed at least 51% of the duties listed in the lead statement of the occupation description in the NOC 2021.
Education
You must submit a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential, or if the educational credential is from a foreign (non-Canadian) institution or authority, you must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved provider.
You are considered ineligible to the stream category if you don’t have a secondary (high school) diploma.
Language
You must demonstrate you have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test scores, either in French or in English:
- If your work experience is in an NOC TEER Category 0 or 1, you must have CLB7 for each language skill.
- If your work experience is in an NOC TEER Category 2 or 3, you must CLB5 for each language skill.
These language requirements are in line with Express Entry’s CEC program eligibility requirements
Age
You must be between 21 and 55 years old.
Settlement requirements
You must show that you have a genuine intention to settle in Nova Scotia and that you will become economically established in the province. You must provide a detailed explanation of why you choose to settle permanently in Nova Scotia and what you feel Nova Scotia can offer to you and your family. Your explanation can include details such as your plans for accommodation/housing, transportation, employment/job, schools or child care, language training plans, and integration into community.
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Application Process
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the Skilled Work Experience in Nova Scotia category of the Nova Scotia Express Entry stream. Candidates must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements of the federal FSW, FST, or CEC programs.
- Generate their Express Entry profile, and specify their interest in the province by selecting “Nova Scotia” or “All Provinces and Territories”.
- Qualify for the stream category eligibility requirements.
- Submit an expression of interest to the stream category through the Nova Scotia’s online service (filling in forms and uploading required documents).
- Nova Scotia will conduct periodic draws to select expression of interest for processing. Factors that may guide selection include provincial priorities, remaining allocation, EOI pool volume, and program integrity considerations
- Accept the Nova Scotia provincial nomination (after the NSNP processes their application) within 30 days of receiving it on their Express Entry profile.
- Obtain an additional 600 CRS points in the Express Entry profile, and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Apply for permanent residence through your Express Entry profile.
You can check out our 10-step guide for Express Entry for more detailed information and advice.
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Application Fees
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Processing Times
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – Latest News & Data
Nova Scotia Express Entry – Skilled Work Experience in NS – In-Demand Occupations?
You can find out about the other provinces’ in-demand jobs in our in-demand NOC codes article.
