Why Apply for the Nova Scotia PNP (NSNP)?

The Nova Scotia province functions as an essential Canadian permanent residency entry point for qualified workers together with international graduates and business founders. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) lets qualified candidates establish permanent residence in a lively province which features excellent living conditions along with coastal scenery and expanding employment opportunities.
 

• The NSNP admits more than 6,000 foreign nationals each year to establish permanent residency.
• The program includes simplified Express Entry pathways which are linked to specific streams.
• Some NSNP draws feature reduced CRS score requirements.
• The province faces substantial recruitment needs for healthcare personnel together with technology experts and skilled trade professionals.
• The NSNP provides special streams that encourage business-oriented candidates to establish their operations.
   

What is the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)?

The NSNP represents a provincial immigration system through which Nova Scotia selects eligible candidates who possess essential qualifications for the province. Candidates can apply through various streams targeting skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs. The program supports the province’s labour market needs and economic development goals.
 

*Want to apply for Nova Scotia PNP? Sign up with Y-Axis to guide you with the process.
 

Benefits of Nova Scotia PNP

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider applying for Nova Scotia PNP:

• The program offers applicants a direct route to obtain Canadian permanent residency.
• Applicants gain entry to healthcare systems together with education programs and social service benefits.
• The province presents a more affordable cost of living when compared to big provinces in Canada.
• The region provides an environment which supports new immigrants along with their families.
• The program presents several immigration options which consider professional background and work experience and business-related interests.
   

Types of NSNP Streams

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) provides multiple immigration streams for individuals who can support the province's economic development and employment market. These streams serve diverse immigrant groups through their focus on skilled workers and entrepreneurs and international graduates and healthcare professionals. Two streams maintain their connection to the federal Express Entry system while the remaining streams function independently.
 

Given below are the major Nova Scotia PNP streams:
 

Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry

The stream focuses on skilled workers with recent work experience in Nova Scotia's high-demand occupations. The stream operates within the federal Express Entry framework to address workforce shortages in targeted high-skilled occupations. The candidate must possess an active Express Entry profile to be eligible. Candidates need to fulfill basic requirements regarding education and work experience and language proficiency and adaptability but they do not need to have a job offer.
 

Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry

This stream serves people who have already established skilled work experience in Nova Scotia. Candidates who want to qualify must present one year of full-time work experience or its equivalent during the past three years in a skilled occupation within the province. The candidate needs to maintain an active Express Entry profile. The program provides support for international workers who have successfully established their professional careers within Nova Scotia's labor market.
 

Labour Market Priorities Stream

The Express Entry-based program selects candidates through assessment of labor market needs defined by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Applicants who receive a Letter of Interest through their Express Entry profile must satisfy the conditions stated in the letter which generally require work experience in specific occupations and language proficiency with possible additional requirements of education or residency plans.
 

Occupations in Demand Stream

This program exists to address workforce shortages through intermediate-skilled occupations which include NOC TEER 4 and 5 categories that show high provincial demand. The list of eligible occupations includes nurse aides and orderlies as well as transport truck drivers and food and beverage servers. The stream operates without Express Entry requirement while serving candidates who hold job offers for these specific occupations in Nova Scotia.
 

International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The program exists to support recent international graduates from Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions who have maintained their business operations for at least one year within the province. The program requires applicants to establish permanent residency in Nova Scotia while actively managing their business operations. This program provides permanent residency opportunities to young entrepreneurs who demonstrate successful integration into both the local market and community.
 

Skilled Worker Stream

Through this stream Nova Scotia employers receive assistance when hiring foreign workers alongside recent graduates who bring essential skills to the province. The program accepts candidates who hold full-time permanent job offers from Nova Scotia employers. The program serves applicants from all skill levels ranging from high-skilled to low-skilled to semi-skilled occupations. The program requires applicants to possess appropriate work experience and achieve specified language standards and prove their ability to settle in the province.
 

Physician Stream

This specific immigration stream exists to help Nova Scotia's public health authorities which include the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre recruit qualified general practitioners family physicians and specialist physicians. A job offer from one of these authorities must be approved by the candidate and the individual must plan to live and work in Nova Scotia.
 

Entrepreneur Stream

The stream supports experienced business owners together with senior business managers who want to invest in and run businesses in Nova Scotia. The program requires applicants to make permanent residency their home in the province. The applicants must establish either a new business or acquire an existing one before operating it for one year to qualify for nomination. The program demands substantial personal investment combined with business expertise and requires the applicant to maintain active management responsibilities.
 

Eligibility Criteria for Nova Scotia PNP

To be eligible for Nova Scotia PNP, one must fulfil the below crietria:

• The age requirement falls between the years 18 and 55.
• Language proficiency (CLB 7 or higher in most cases)
• Relevant work experience (1–5 years depending on stream)
• Educational qualifications (post-secondary diploma or degree)
• Intention to live in Nova Scotia
• Proof of settlement funds (if applicable)
   

NSNP Points Calculator

A points-based selection system operates within certain Nova Scotia immigration streams. The system grants points to candidates based on their age alongside their educational background along with their language abilities and their work history and their adaptability. The standard threshold to qualify for selection stands at 67 points out of a possible 100 points.

The table below gives you an overview of the NSNP points calculator:

Factor	Points
Education	Maximum 25 Points
Proficiency in English and/or French	Maximum 28 Points
Work Experience	Maximum 15 Points
Age	Maximum 12 Points
Jobs in Nova Scotia	Maximum 10 Points
Adaptability	Maximum 10 Points
Total	Maximum 100 Points
Minimum Passing Points	67 Points

 

Documents Required for Nova Scotia PNP

The list of documents required for the Nova Scotia PNP program are as follows:

• Valid passport
• Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP)
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Proof of work experience (reference letters, payslips)
• Job offer letter (if applicable)
• Proof of funds
• Business plan (for entrepreneur streams)
• Police clearance and medical exam results
   

How to Apply for Nova Scotia PNP?

You can follow the below steps to apply for Nova Scotia PNP:

Step 1: Determine which NSNP stream fits your profile

Step 2: Establish an Express Entry profile (only if necessary)

Step 3: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) if applicable

Step 4: Receive Letter of Interest (LOI) or Invitation to Apply

Step 5: Submit full application to the province

Step 6: Receive provincial nomination

Step 7: Apply for permanent residency through IRCC
 

Nova Scotia PNP Application Fees

The application fees for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) depend on the stream you apply through:
 

Streams with No Provincial Fee

Most NSNP streams do not charge a provincial application fee, including:

• Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry
• Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
• Labour Market Priorities Stream
• Occupations in Demand Stream
• Skilled Worker Stream
• Physician Stream
   

Note: You will still need to pay federal processing fees to IRCC after nomination.
 

Streams with a Provincial Fee of CAD $250

The following streams charge a non-refundable fee of CAD $250:

• Entrepreneur Stream
• International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• This fee is paid online when submitting your application.
   

Nova Scotia PNP Processing Time

The table below gives you an overview of the NSNP processing times:

Stage	Applicant Type	Estimated Processing Time
Provincial Nomination (NSNP)	All Streams	3 to 6 months
Federal PR Processing	Express Entry Applicants	6 to 8 months
Federal PR Processing	Non-Express Entry Applicants	12 to 18 months

 

Top 10 In-Demand Occupations in Nova Scotia

The table below has the list of top 10 in-demand occupations in Nova Scotia:

Occupation	Average Annual Salary (CAD)
Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)	$80,000
Continuing Care Assistants (NOC 33102)	$38,000
Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 21231)	$85,000
Financial Auditors and Accountants (NOC 11100)	$75,000
Computer Systems Developers and Programmers (NOC 21230)	$80,000
Construction Managers (NOC 70010)	$90,000
Truck Drivers (NOC 73300)	$55,000
Early Childhood Educators (NOC 42202)	$40,000
Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)	$55,000
Cybersecurity Specialists (NOC 21220)	$85,000

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis is the world's No.1 overseas Immigration consultant, providing unbiased and innovative immigration assistance for 25+ years.

Our team of experts will assist you with:

• Check free eligibility through the Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator
• Filling out the application form
• Assistance to migrate to Canada
• Arranging the requirements
• Looking for jobs in Canada? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one!
• Guidance to obtain Canada PR