Discover Canada's beautiful Atlantic province Coastal Lifestyle: Beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation, and quality of life. Healthcare Demand: Physicians with an offer from Nova Scotia Health or the IWK Health Centre have a dedicated sub-category. Construction Demand: Construction employers can hire through the Critical Construction Worker sub-category. Affordable Living: Lower housing costs than major Canadian centers. Supportive Communities: Established networks for newcomers and international residents.

Growing economy with job opportunities. Lower cost of living. Beautiful coastal communities. Strong support for newcomers. Dedicated sub-categories for physicians and construction workers. Four stream options. Get NSPNP Consultation

Which NSPNP stream should I choose?

Choose based on your situation: Skilled Worker if you have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer (physicians and construction workers apply as sub-categories of this stream), Nova Scotia Graduate if you completed an eligible program in the province, Nova Scotia: Express Entry if you have a year of work experience in Nova Scotia and an Express Entry profile, or Entrepreneur if you plan to start or buy a business.

Do I need a job offer?

The Skilled Worker and Nova Scotia Graduate streams both require a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. Nova Scotia: Express Entry is based on at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia and does not state a job offer requirement. The Entrepreneur stream does not use a job offer.

How long is the total process?

Nova Scotia does not publish a fixed processing time for the NSNP, and assessment can be slowed by integrity reviews, employer compliance checks and high application volume. After nomination you must apply to IRCC within 12 months of receiving your nominee certificate, and IRCC publishes its own processing times.

Can I include my family?

Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included in your application.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)

Why Nova Scotia?

Discover Canada's beautiful Atlantic province

Coastal Lifestyle: Beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation, and quality of life.
Healthcare Demand: Physicians with an offer from Nova Scotia Health or the IWK Health Centre have a dedicated sub-category.
Construction Demand: Construction employers can hire through the Critical Construction Worker sub-category.
Affordable Living: Lower housing costs than major Canadian centers.
Supportive Communities: Established networks for newcomers and international residents.

Skilled Worker Stream

For workers with a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.

Full-time permanent job offer in a TEER 0 to 5 occupation.
12 complete calendar months and 1,560 hours of related paid work in the last 5 years.
CLB 5 for TEER 0 to 3, CLB 4 for TEER 4 or 5; high school diploma; age 21 to 55.
Application fee: CAD 1,000, payable only if selected.

Check Eligibility

Nova Scotia Graduate

For graduates of eligible Nova Scotia designated learning institutions.

Full-time permanent job offer matching your field of study.
Program of at least 30 weeks, mostly completed in Nova Scotia, within the last 3 years.
CLB 5; high school diploma; age 19 to 55.
Application fee: CAD 1,000, payable only if selected.

Graduate Details

Physician (Skilled Worker Sub-category)

For physicians with an approved offer from Nova Scotia Health or the IWK Health Centre.

NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102.
Commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least 2 years.
Medical Council of Canada ECA, or proof of meeting Nova Scotia licensing criteria.
Other health professions have no separate NSNP stream.

Physician Info

Entrepreneur

For entrepreneurs establishing or buying a business in Nova Scotia.

Net worth CAD 600,000 (CAD 400,000 outside Halifax Regional Municipality).
Own-funds investment CAD 150,000 (CAD 100,000 outside HRM); at least 1/3 ownership.
3 years of active ownership and management, or more than 5 years in senior management; CLB 5.
Application fee: CAD 2,000, payable after an Invitation to Apply.

Entrepreneur Info

Nova Scotia: Express Entry

For Express Entry candidates with Nova Scotia work experience.

Valid Express Entry profile.
At least 1 year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation.
CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1, CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3; age 21 to 55.
Application fee: CAD 1,000, payable only if selected.

Express Entry Info

Critical Construction Worker (Skilled Worker Sub-category)

For construction workers with an offer from a Nova Scotia construction employer.

Employer in the construction sector (NAICS 23).
12 complete calendar months and 1,560 hours of related paid work in the last 5 years.
CLB 5 for TEER 0 to 3, CLB 4 for TEER 4 or 5; age 21 to 55.
There is no separate technology stream.

Construction Info

Timeline & Costs

NSNP Application Fee: CAD 1,000 for worker streams, CAD 2,000 for Entrepreneur (from 1 September 2026; non-refundable; EOI submission is free)
Processing: not fixed by the province; see the official site
Federal PR: apply within 12 months of the nominee certificate
Federal PR Fee: CAD 1,590 per adult (CAD 990 processing plus CAD 600 right of permanent residence fee); CAD 270 per dependent child
Biometrics: CAD 85 per person (CAD 170 maximum per family)
Language Test and Medical Exam: third-party fees vary by provider
Federal Fees, Single Applicant: CAD 1,675 (PR fee plus biometrics). The NSNP fee above and third-party costs are additional.

Detailed Info

Why NSPNP?

Growing economy with job opportunities.
Lower cost of living.
Beautiful coastal communities.
Strong support for newcomers.
Dedicated sub-categories for physicians and construction workers.
Four stream options.

Get NSPNP Consultation

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program

Nova Scotia PNP