Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in 2026: New Streams, Sector Caps and Fees

Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba each changed how they select skilled workers in 2026. Nova Scotia consolidated its programme into four streams and charges CAD 1,000 on selected worker EOIs from 1 September. Saskatchewan reserves at least half of its allocation for priority sectors and caps three low-wage sectors. Manitoba ranks EOIs on a points system whose maximums add up to 1,000. This guide compares the three, flags figures that differ between official pages and lists what to confirm before you pay any fee.

The Three Provinces at a Glance

Nova Scotia: Four Streams and a Selection Fee

The portal closed from 13 to 18 February 2026 to launch consolidated streams: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Entrepreneur and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. Skilled Worker has four categories: Skilled Worker, Critical Construction Worker (for employers in NAICS 23), Physician and Occupations In-Demand, which lists no occupations at this time. See our Skilled Worker stream page.

Nova Scotia publishes no points grid. It selects on provincial priorities, remaining allocation, EOI pool volume and programme integrity. Its priorities page dated 27 April 2026 puts healthcare and skilled trades first at TEER 0 to 4. NOC groups starting with 2, 4, 8 and 9 are limited to temporary residents already in Nova Scotia, other occupations at TEER 0 to 2 are for in-province temporary residents only, and TEER 5 is not prioritised.

Fees. From 1 September 2026 the fee is CAD 1,000 per principal applicant for Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate and Nova Scotia: Express Entry, and CAD 2,000 for Entrepreneur. You pay only if the EOI is selected, within 7 calendar days for the worker streams. Submitting an EOI is free. The fee is non-refundable except where the law requires or after an administrative error, and it applies to any EOI selected on or after 1 September, whenever it was submitted. Selection letters issued before that date carry no fee. The Atlantic Immigration Program is not affected.

Saskatchewan: Priority Sectors and Capped Sectors

Saskatchewan's FAQ, updated on 19 December 2025, gives an initial 2026 allocation of 4,761:

• Priority sectors: at least 50% (2,381), and the share may be exceeded. They are healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, energy, mining including critical minerals, manufacturing and technology. 750 spaces inside this allocation are reserved for Saskatchewan post-secondary graduates working in priority sectors.
• Capped sectors: at most 25% (1,190): accommodation and food services 15% (714), trucking 5% (238) and retail trade 5% (238).
• Extra nominations: may be released at IRCC's discretion, with a mid-year assessment.

Capped sectors use six application windows planned for January, March, May, July, September and November. Applicants in those sectors can apply only in the last six months of work permit validity. The statistics page shows windows on 13 January, 2 March, 4 May, 6 July and 14 September, plus 15 September for food services, and capped-sector nominations of 1,158 against 1,315 (88%). Other sectors have continuous intake. The same page shows a total allocation of 5,261 and 4,023 nominations so far (76%), which differs from the FAQ's 4,761.

Employer Position Approvals (EPAs) replaced Job Approval Forms. A capped-sector EPA can name up to 3 candidates and others up to 10, with 10 days to confirm and 60 days to submit the SINP application. For Q3 2026, Saskatchewan reports that 80% of most worker applications were processed within 2 weeks and EPAs within 4 weeks.

Who this affects: PGWP and spouse permits

• PGWP holders are eligible only for Student, Health Talent, Agriculture Talent, Innovation and Tech Talent and International Skilled Worker Employment Offer. Those who studied outside Saskatchewan lose the Saskatchewan Experience pathways. The Student category is limited to Saskatchewan DLI graduates who lived in the province. See our PGWP guide.
• Spousal open work permit holders can use the Agriculture, Health, Innovation and Tech pathways and the International Skilled Worker Employment Offer category.

Manitoba: A 1,000-Point EOI Ranking

Manitoba lists three streams: Skilled Worker, International Education and Business Investor. EOIs in the first two are ranked on six factors, and the positive maximums add up to 1,000:

Within adaptability, Manitoba Demand is worth 500: ongoing Manitoba employment of 6 months or more with a long-term offer from the same employer, or a Strategic Initiative invitation. The connection subtotal reaches 200 (a close relative 200; 6 or more months of prior authorised work or a Manitoba programme of 2 years or more 100; a 1 year programme 50; a close friend or distant relative 50). Regional development adds 50 for work outside Winnipeg, combined with any connection except Manitoba Demand.

Manitoba runs targeted draws, for example for broad category 3 health occupations, and initiatives such as Employer Services, Ethnocultural, Francophone and Regional within the Skilled Worker stream. The draws page shows no dates or minimum scores. Skilled Worker in Manitoba needs a valid work permit, 6 months of continuous full-time work with the employer (1 year if you graduated in another province), a full-time long-term offer and an established employer. See our Skilled Worker in Manitoba page and MPNP calculator.

What This Means for Indian Applicants

• Graduates in Saskatchewan: where you studied now decides which categories you can use, so confirm that before accepting a job offer.
• Nova Scotia: the province charges nothing to submit an EOI, so be wary of anyone who does. Healthcare and skilled trades are the stated priorities.
• Manitoba: a long-term offer after six months of Manitoba work, or a close relative in the province, moves the score more than any other single factor.
• All three: nobody can promise selection. Pay fees only on official provincial portals.

What Is Not Confirmed

• Manitoba's application fee, because the fees page did not load. Check the MPNP site.
• Manitoba's allocation beyond 6,239, which is the only figure its data page shows.
• Saskatchewan's current allocation (4,761 or 5,261) and the date of its November capped-sector window.
• Whether Saskatchewan's Occupation In-Demand category is open. Its page lists 60 of 110 points, CLB 4, an ECA and a CAD 500 non-refundable fee but gives no status.
• Nova Scotia's 2026 allocation, which the pages checked do not state.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Nova Scotia fee apply?

For any EOI selected on or after 1 September 2026. It is CAD 1,000 for the worker streams and CAD 2,000 for Entrepreneur, and nothing is payable at EOI submission.

Does Nova Scotia use a points system?

No points grid is published. Selection depends on provincial priorities, remaining allocation, pool volume and programme integrity.

What are Saskatchewan's capped sectors?

Accommodation and food services (15%), trucking (5%) and retail trade (5%) of the allocation, with applications in six planned windows.

Can a PGWP holder apply to the SINP?

Yes, but only in the Student, Health Talent, Agriculture Talent, Innovation and Tech Talent and International Skilled Worker Employment Offer categories.

How does Manitoba rank EOIs?

On language, age, work experience, education, adaptability and a risk deduction, with positive maximums that total 1,000.

How many nominations will each province issue in 2026?

Manitoba shows 6,239. Saskatchewan shows 4,761 initially and 5,261 on its statistics page. Nova Scotia does not state a figure on the pages I checked.