Nova Scotia Immigration News
May 1, 2025
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to attract skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs to address Nova Scotia’s economic and labor market needs. In 2025, the NSNP operates under a constrained federal nomination allocation, reduced by 50% from 110,000 to 55,000 PNP nominations nationwide, with Nova Scotia’s quota estimated at approximately 1,365 nominations (down from higher allocations in prior years). The NSNP includes enhanced streams aligned with the federal Express Entry system (e.g., Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Labour Market Priorities) and base streams (e.g., Skilled Worker, Occupations in Demand), issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs), referred to as Letters of Interest (LOIs) in Nova Scotia, for provincial nomination. Successful nominees in enhanced streams receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually guaranteeing a federal Express Entry ITA.
Detailed Information on 2025 NSNP Draws
No Draws Reported: As of April 29, 2025, no NSNP draws have been publicly reported for 2025. This lack of reported draws is attributed to:
Pause in Key Sectors: Effective April 17, 2024, the NSNP paused applications in the Accommodation and Food Services sector for the Skilled Worker and Occupations in Demand streams due to a significant backlog. This pause, announced to manage inventory, likely extends into 2025, limiting draw activity.
Reduced Nomination Quota: Nova Scotia’s 2025 nomination allocation is estimated at 1,365, reflecting the federal PNP cut. The province is prioritizing processing existing applications and targeting high-demand occupations (e.g., healthcare, early childhood education).
Inventory Management: The NSNP processes applications based on economic and labor market priorities, which may delay new draws. As of April 2024, the program had a significant volume of pending applications, particularly in food and accommodation.
Streams Affected:
Enhanced Streams (Express Entry-aligned):
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry: Targets candidates with at least one year of skilled work experience in Nova Scotia (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). Requires a valid Express Entry profile, CLB 7 for TEER 0/1, CLB 5 for TEER 2/3, and 67/100 points on the NSNP Points Assessment Grid.
Labour Market Priorities: Selects Express Entry candidates with experience in high-demand occupations (e.g., early childhood educators, physicians). Requires a Letter of Interest, specific job offers (e.g., from Nova Scotia Health Authority), and a commitment to reside in Nova Scotia for two years.
Physicians Labour Market Priorities: Targets physicians (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) with job offers from Nova Scotia Health Authority or IWK Health Centre.
Base Streams (non-Express Entry):
Skilled Worker: Recruits foreign workers with job offers for positions employers cannot fill locally. Paused for Accommodation and Food Services since April 2024.
Occupations in Demand: Targets TEER 3, 4, or 5 occupations (e.g., NOC 3413 – nurse aides, NOC 7511 – transport truck drivers), also paused for Accommodation and Food Services. Requires CLB 4 and sufficient settlement funds.
International Graduates in Demand: For graduates with skills in specific NOCs (e.g., paramedics, pharmacy technicians), expanded in 2023 to include healthcare roles.
Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur: For business owners and Nova Scotia graduates operating businesses, with periodic draws based on EOI scores.
Application Process (when draws occur= occur):
Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the NSNP online portal for most streams. High-scoring candidates receive a Letter of Interest (LOI).
Invited candidates apply within 30 days, uploading required documents. Successful applicants receive a nomination certificate.
Enhanced stream nominees gain 600 CRS points, ensuring a federal Express Entry ITA (e.g., April 28, 2025, 421 ITAs, CRS ≥727). Base stream nominees apply directly to IRCC for permanent residency.
Why No Draws in 2025?
Sector-Specific Pause:
The NSNP halted applications in the Accommodation and Food Services sector for Skilled Worker and Occupations in Demand streams on April 17, 2024, due to a backlog. This pause, intended to clear inventory, likely persists into 2025, reducing draw activity.
The pause affects key labor market sectors, limiting ITAs for TEER 3–5 occupations like nurse aides and truck drivers.
Reduced Nomination Allocation:
The 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan cut PNP nominations by 50%, with Nova Scotia’s quota estimated at 1,365. This forces the NSNP to prioritize high-impact candidates (e.g., healthcare professionals, graduates) and process existing applications.
Inventory Backlog:
As of April 2024, the NSNP reported a significant volume of pending applications, particularly in food and accommodation, delaying new draws. The program prioritizes economic needs, which may shift without notice.
Focus on Other Programs:
Nova Scotia participates in the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), transitioning to a new online system on May 1, 2025, and endorsing candidates with job offers from designated employers. AIP’s 2025 allocation (e.g., 1,350 endorsements in Nova Scotia) may reduce NSNP draw frequency.
The International Graduates in Demand stream, expanded for healthcare roles like paramedics, accepts direct applications, bypassing draws.
Context from 2024 and Prior Draws
No 2024 NSNP draws are detailed in available sources, but historical data provides context:
October 12, 2023: Minimum NSNP Points Assessment Grid score of 67, no ITA count or CRS range reported. Likely an Express Entry stream (e.g., Labour Market Priorities), targeting candidates with in-demand skills.
2018–2023 Trends: Draws were irregular, with streams like Labour Market Priorities targeting specific NOCs (e.g., NOC 4214 – early childhood educators, NOC 3111/3112 – physicians). CRS scores were not consistently reported but aligned with Express Entry minimums (300–500 pre-nomination).
Scoring: Enhanced streams require 67/100 points on the NSNP Points Assessment Grid (education, work experience, language, adaptability, age, employment prospects). For example, CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 per band) and a high school diploma yield ~50 points, needing additional factors like a job offer to reach 67.
In 2025, the absence of draws suggests a strategic pause to align with nomination limits and clear backlogs.
Implications for 2025
Expected Draws: Draws may resume mid-2025 once the Accommodation and Food Services backlog clears, likely targeting healthcare (e.g., physicians, paramedics), early childhood educators, and graduates. Enhanced streams may prioritize low CRS scores (300–400) with job offers, as seen in other PNPs (e.g., Alberta, CRS ≥53).
ITA Volumes: With a ~1,365 nomination quota, NSNP may issue 500–1,000 ITAs, focusing on enhanced streams to leverage Express Entry’s speed (6-month PR processing).
Processing Times: Enhanced stream applications process faster (3–6 months post-nomination), but base stream delays are possible due to inventory.
Strategic Priorities: Nova Scotia will focus on retention (70%+ rate) via job-matched streams and AIP, reducing draw frequency.
Recommendations for Candidates
Create Express Entry Profile:
Register for Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades with a CRS score of 300+. Indicate Nova Scotia interest to receive a Letter of Interest.
Submit NSNP EOI:
Apply via the NSNP online portal for enhanced (Experience, Labour Market Priorities) or base streams (Skilled Worker, Occupations in Demand). Score ≥67/100 on the NSNP Points Assessment Grid.
Secure a Job Offer:
Target in-demand NOCs (e.g., 3413 – nurse aides, 31100 – physicians) or healthcare roles via Nova Scotia Health Authority/IWK. Job offers boost NSNP points and bypass draw pauses.
Improve Language Proficiency:
Achieve CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 per band) for TEER 0/1 or CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 to maximize NSNP and CRS points. French proficiency aids Labour Market Priorities.
Monitor Updates:
Check liveinnovascotia.com for draw announcements, as NSNP does not pre-publish schedules. Log into your NSNP profile for LOI notifications.
Explore Alternatives:
Atlantic Immigration Program: Apply for AIP endorsements (1,350 in 2025) with a job offer from a designated employer. Transitions to a new online system May 1, 2025.
Federal Express Entry: 27,839 ITAs issued in 2025, including healthcare draws (e.g., March 21, 7,500 ITAs, CRS ≥379).
Other PNPs: Manitoba (443 ITAs), Alberta (568 ITAs), or British Columbia (5 ITAs, Entrepreneur).
Update : September 4, 2024
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) receives a significant volume of applications. If you have already applied to NSNP, your application remains on file. NSNP process and return decisions on applications according to economic and labour market priorities and that these priorities may change without notice. NSNP does guarantee that your application will be assessed or that a nomination will be granted, even if it meets eligibility criteria.
July 1, 2024
Updates to NSNP 100 and NSNO 50 and submitting applications.
February 26, 2024
Relaunch of Entrepreneur Streams as permanent programs
January 4, 2023 : Healthcare Workers Coming to Nova Scotia from Kenya
Nova Scotia has already supported 42 applicants through the pilot, including more than 20 continuing care assistants now working in the continuing care system.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot supports refugees immigrating to Canada by:
waiving the application and biometric fees
speeding up the application process so it is complete within six months
covering the cost of pre-departure medical services and medical exams
offering loans to cover travel costs and helping people settle in their new communities.
November 7, 2022 - PNP Draw
NSPNP invited candidates to its Labour Market Priorities pathway. Applicants needed to have a level 10 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) in French, a CLB level 7 in English and had completed a post-secondary educational credential of three years or more study.
November 1, 2022 - PNP Draw
Entrepreneur Steam
ITA : 6
CRS Score : 128
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
ITA : 6
CRS Score : 47
May 2 - Atlantic Immigration Program : NOC not eligible
The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has temporarily paused the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry (NSEEE) stream to NOC 6311 – food service supervisors.The following are currently not eligible:
Under NSEEE, work experience with NOC 6311
Under AIP, job offers with NOC 6311
The following remain the same:
Candidates using NOC 6311 can apply through the Skilled Worker Stream
Businesses working in the food and hospitality sectors will continue to be able to use the Skilled Worker stream to recruit food service supervisors.
Employers are also able to recruit food and beverage servers (NOC 6513) and food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 6711) through the Occupations in Demand (OiD) stream.
Currently, transport truck drivers (NOC 7511) applications are not being accepted by Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Immigration Program. Transport trucking employers are encouraged to use the Nova Scotia Nominee Program’s Occupations in Demand stream, which is dedicated for transport truck drivers and continuing care assistants.
February 8, 2022 : Nova Scotia PNP Draw for Nurses
• Have their primary occupation as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse (NOC 3012).
• Submit letters of reference from employers that they have at least three years’ experience as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse.
• Have a CLB score of at least 9 in English or French in all language skills.
• Have a bachelor’s degree or have completed a program of at least three years at a university, college, or trade/ technical school.
• Apply by March 10, 2022.
January 5 - 2022 : Nova Scotia PNP
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream selects candidates in the federal Express Entry system who meet provincial labour market needs to apply for nomination. Only candidates who receive a Letter of Interest from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration may apply.
October 4 - N.S. PREPARES $2.5M CAMPAIGN AIMED AT ATTRACTING NEW RESIDENTS
The Nova Scotia government is taking the first steps toward a goal of doubling the province's population by 2060.
The Labour, Skills and Immigration Department announced plans this week for a $2.5-million marketing program aimed at provincial immigration and migration.
The department will work with officials at the Communities, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Department to develop the promotional plan.
Labour, Skills and Immigration Department Minister Jill Balser said there is an opportunity to promote the province and its way of life. Details on the campaign, including who will design it, are still in the works.
"This campaign is just the start to be able to reach that ambitious goal," said Balser.
Read more
June 30, 2021 - Atlantic Immigration Pilot : Nova Scotia Employers
Employers in Nova Scotia can use the Pilot to hire foreign workers.
The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSIPG) will be accepting designation applications under this pilot program until June 30, 2021. The new Atlantic Immigration Program to launch January 1, 2022, and will be sharing information on the new program as it becomes available.
Individuals cannot apply for the pilot. Individuals with an interest in the program need to find a job offer. The employer may be designated or may choose to become designated when they find a foreign national they wish to hire.
ELIGIBILITY
Employers looking to fill labour gaps through the Pilot must first be approved for eligibility by being designated and then have their positions endorsed by the Province.
Once the employer’s positions are endorsed, candidate(s) identified by the employer can apply for permanent residency directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The foreign worker can also access temporary pathways (i.e., obtain a work permit) while waiting for permanent residency.
March 29 - NOVA SCOTIA LABOUR MARKET PRIORITIES DRAW
NSNP Express Entry Labour Market Priorities Stream invited 329 French speaking candidates on March 29. The criteria for the draw was candidates must:
Have selected French as their first official language and have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 9 or higher in French in all language abilities.
Have English as a second official language with a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 7 or higher in English in all language abilities.
Hold a bachelor’s degree OR have completed a program of three or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute.
Include copies of both language tests and proof of education with their application.
Apply by April 28, 2021.
To Apply
Candidates require to complete the online application form and include all required information and attachments.
January 19 - First NS PNP draw issued invitation in the Labour Market Priorities Stream
Applicants should be financial officer – National Occupation Classification (NOC) code 1114.
The stream is tied with the federal Express Entry System as a result individuals must have a valid profile in the EE. The NSNP elect applicants from EE who meet provincial labour market needs.
Also applicants need to:
Submit letters of reference from employers, that they have 4 or more years of experience in NOC 1114.
CLB of 9 or higher in English
Have a bachelor’s degree
December 1 - NS PNP issued invitation in the Labour Market Priorities Stream
The Labour Market Priorities Stream enables NSNP to look at the candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet labour market needs in the province. Recent draws through this stream have invited programmers and media developers, automotive industry workers and nurses.
Individuals need to have a job offer for full-time skilled work in Nova Scotia that is one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.
have 1 year of skilled work experience related to the job;
have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
CLB 5
October 22 - Draw invited Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
The eligibility was based on:
Be working as programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
Submite letters of reference from employers
One year of experience in NOC O, A or B in Canada.
CLB 7
Have a bachelor’s degree
May 22 - Labour Market Priorities Draw Invites Nurses in Nova Scotia
On May 22, Nova Scotia provincial nominee program (PNP) had a draw and sent invitations to nurses to apply for PR through the province’s provincial nomination program.
The candidates required to have three years’ work experience as a registered nurse (RN) or a registered psychiatric nurse, to have a CLB 8 in either English/French, and have a Bachelor’s degree. The NOC for this occupation is 3012.
All candidates had their profiles in the federal Express Entry system. The candidates invited received additional 600 points which will enable them to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.
APRIL 27 - PNP DRAW ARE AS FOLLOWS. CANDIDATES MUST:
Have selected French as their first official language and have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 8 or higher in French in all language abilities.
Have English as a second official language with a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 6 or higher in English in all language abilities.
Hold a bachelor’s degree OR have completed a program of three or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute.
Have a valid Express Entry number and meet all IRCC criteria for the Express Entry pool.
* You must include copies of both language tests and proof of education to meet a bachelor’s degree or higher with your application.
February 5, - Nova Scotia PNP Draw INvites 28 Candidates
Nova Scotia PNP sends 28 letters of interest were sent to International Graduate Entrepreneur and candidates in the Entrepreneur Stream to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
International Gradaute Entrepreneur - 1, lowest score 67
Entrepreneur Stream - 27, lowest score 115
November 12 - Nova Scotia PNP Draw INvites 20 Candidates
Nova Scotia PNP sends 20 letters of interest were sent to candidates in the Entrepreneur Stream to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence. The lowest score was 118.
October 28 - Nova Scotia Invites Registered Nurses
Nova Scotia invited 430 candidates in the Labour Market Priorities Stream who had work experience of either a registered nurse (RN) or registered psychiatric nurse (RPN).
All candidates had a profile in the Express Entry System.
The criteria to be eligible for Provincial Nomination is that the candidates have to be currently working as a RN or RPN and have
3 years work experience
IELTS score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8
Bachelor's degree
October 4 - Nova Scotia Targets U.K. Doctors
Immigration representatives from the Nova Scotia, Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and College of Physicians and Surgeons are currently attending a two-day British Medical Journal Careers Fair in the London, United Kingdom. The fair runs from October 4 and 5.
Candidates must have an approved job offer from Nova Scotia Health Authority or the IWK Health Centre in order to receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP.
September 26 - Nova Scotia selects Carpenters from Express Entry
Nova Scotia invited candidates with experience as Carpenters (NOC 7271) in a draw for the Labour Market Priorities stream. This is the second draw in a month and issued 22 invitations to apply to qualified carpenters who had a profile in the Express Entry pool.
Selected candidates must have 1) a minimum of two years of experience as a carpenter; 2) English or French language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking; and 3) adequate funds.
The carpenters selected in this draw now have 30 days to apply for a provincial nomination.
Successful nominees receive 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points towards their Express Entry ranking score, effectively guaranteeing them an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
September 14 – Nova Scotia introduces new immigration pathway for physicians looking to immigrate to Canada
Nova Scotia has introduced a new Labour Market Priorities immigration stream that focuses on selecting international physicians through Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Physicians will be selected from the Federal Express Entry pool and successful applicants will receive a nomination from the province for permanent residence (PR).
This stream assists Nova Scotia’s public health authorities (NSHA) and the Isaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre to hire general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians to work in Nova Scotia. The stream helps the NSHA and IWK to recruit and retain physicians with the required skills for positions that they have not been able to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
It is only open to general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and specialist physicians (NOC 3111) with signed approved opportunities with NSHA or IWK Health Centre. The physician needs to pledge to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least of two years to be eligible for selection through this new stream.
The approved opportunity must be on official NSHA letterhead and must:
· Be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire physicians
· Be signed and dated by the applicant who is accepting the opportunity
· Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS
· Indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA
Eligible physicians selected by the NSNP will receive a Letter of Interest (LOI) through the Express Entry system and have 30 days to apply for a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia.
September 14 - Nova Scotia Express Entry Labour Market Priorities Draw
Nova Scotia had its first Labour Market Priorities stream draw on September 4th. This was the first draw in three month and 204 letters of interest were sent to Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
The Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for Express Entry (EE) eligible candidates who meet particular labour market needs in the province.
This draw was aimed at EE candidates who had chosen French as their first official language and had a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 8 or higher in the French language proficiency. They also needed to have a CLB score of 6 or more in the English.
Candidates were also required to have a bachelor’s degree, or compete three years of study in a trade/technical school/college and have a valid EE number.
Candidates who are keen in applying under this stream must have an Express Entry profile under one of the three federal economic immigration programs:
· Federal Skilled Worker
· Federal Skilled Trades Class, and
· Canadian Experience Class
Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for this stream if they:
· have received a nomination under the NSNP dated within the last 12 months; or
· are a refugee claimant or a failed refugee claimant who has not yet left Canada
September 6 - Nova Scotia PNP Draw INvites 47 Candidates
Nova Scotia PNP sends 47 letters of interest were sent to International Graduate Entrepreneur and candidates in the Entrepreneur Stream to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
International Gradaute Entrepreneur - 1, lowest score 54
Entrepreneur Stream - 46 lowest score 113
June 24 - Nova Scotia PNP Draw INvites 44 Candidates
Nova Scotia PNP sends 44 letters of interest were sent to International Graduate Entrepreneur and candidates in the Entrepreneur Stream to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
International Gradaute Entrepreneur - 1, lowest score 74
Entrepreneur Stream - 43, lowest score 110
