Nova Scotia has reduced the number of its immigration programs.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) has now started to include four immigration streams instead of 10 as of February 18, 2026.
The eligibility rules remain the same.
The programs have been grouped into four main categories :
- Skilled Worker
- Nova Scotia Graduate
- Entrepreneur
- Nova Scotia: Express Entry
Applicants who have a profile in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) need not take any action.
The applicant's application will remain the same and will not be changed.
The province had said that the changes were made to make the immigration process easier to understand and simpler.
How were the programs combined?
In the new system all ten previous programs are now organised under four main streams, which are grouped as follows :
Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker category has the same name. It includes four earlier programs namely :
- Skilled Worker.
- Critical Construction Worker Pilot.
- Physicians.
- Occupations in Demand.
Nova Scotia: Express Entry
The “Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry” category has been changed to “Nova Scotia: Express Entry.” It includes three earlier programs, which were separate namely :
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry.
- Labour Market Priorities.
- Labour Market Priorities for Physicians.
Entrepreneur
The Entrepreneur category has the same name. It includes two programs that were previously separate:
- Entrepreneur
- International Graduate Entrepreneur
Nova Scotia Graduates
The program, which was earlier known as International Graduates in Demand, has now been changed to “Nova Scotia Graduates. There is only one program under this category
Skilled Worker Stream
The following are the overall eligibility criteria for the skilled worker category :
- Should be between 21 and 55 years of age
- Must possess a full-time offer of employment from an employer in Nova Scotia.
- Should have the following requirements to get a job offer :
- Necessary Training
- Job Skills
- Certificate of completion for the job.
- Should match the minimum work experience requirement based on their job:
- TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Have one year of relevant work experience.
- TEER 4 or 5 job offer, six months’ work experience with the job offer employer;
- Should have finished high school
- Should match the basic language proficiency requirements based on their job:
- CLB 5 for occupations in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3
- CLB 4 for occupations in TEER 4 or 5, a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, or a CLB 4 if in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation; and
- Should have sufficient money to support themselves.
Along with the basic requirement, the candidates are expected to follow the rules for at least one of the four Skilled Worker programs.
Construction pathway
For candidates applying for this program :
- They don't need to have a high school degree.
- Should have completed a construction-related program.
To qualify, the candidate must receive a job offer in the construction sector (NAICS 23) in one of the following occupations:
- Bricklayers – 72320.
- Carpenters – 72310.
- Concrete finishers – 73100.
- Construction managers – 70010.
- Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110.
- Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations – 72011.
- Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades – 72020.
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers – 72014.
- Crane operators – 72500.
- Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200.
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402.
- Heavy equipment operators – 73400.
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401.
- Home building and renovation managers – 70011.
- Industrial electricians – 72201.
- Material handlers – 75101.
- Other trades helpers and labourers – 75119.
- Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers – 73102.
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers – 73200.
- Roofers and shinglers – 73110.
- Sheet metal workers – 72102.
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106.
To qualify for the Physicians program, a candidate must receive a job offer from either Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) in an approved occupation.
- General practitioners and family physicians – 31102.
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine – 31100.
- Specialists in surgery – 31101.
The job offer must show that the person can get the required medical licence and can apply for hospital credentials.
To qualify under the Occupations in Demand program, a candidate must have a job offer in a targeted TEER 3, 4, or 5 job.
Right now, no specific jobs have been announced under this program.
Nova Scotia: Express Entry
The following are the overall eligibility criteria for this category :
- Should have a profile in the federal Express Entry system
- Should be between 21 and 55 years of age
- Should have a year of experience in NS-based TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job.
- Should have finished high school
- Should match the basic language proficiency requirements based on their job:
- TEER 0 or 1 occupations: CLB 7.
- TEER 2 or 3 occupations: CLB 5.
If a student uses work experience gained on a post-graduation work permit, then they must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.
To qualify for the Physicians program, a candidate must have an approved job offer under NOC code 31102, 31101, or 31100 from the NSHA or IWK
The following requirement must also be met:
- Should receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP through the federal Express Entry.
- Should have signed an agreement to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years.
- Show proof of enough settlement funds.
The candidate should also submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) within 30 days of receiving the LOI.
Entrepreneur
To qualify under this category, applicants must plan to have their own business in Nova Scotia. They must also meet the following criteria:
- Should be 21 years of age
- Must meet the required net worth based on the business location:
- Inside Halifax Regional Municipality: $600,000.
- Outside Halifax Regional Municipality: $400,000.
- Must meet the minimum investment based on the business location:
- Inside Halifax Regional Municipality: $600,000.
- Outside Halifax Regional Municipality: $400,000.
- Must meet the minimum work experience requirement:
- Should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in owning the business.
- Should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in senior business management experience.
- Should show language ability of CLB 5 in English or French.
International Graduates Program
To qualify under this program, graduates must have a valid PGWP and:
- Should have a minimum of one year of experience owning a business in Nova Scotia.
- Should have completed at least 2 years of full-time study at a Nova Scotia university or college with a degree.
- Should have the language requirement of CLB 7.
Nova Scotia Graduate
To qualify, the candidate must have a full-time job offer in an eligible NOC that matches their recent field of study. They must also:
- Should be between 19 and 55 years of age
- Should have finished high school, with their study program at a Nova Scotia institution, within three years before applying
- Should have completed a course which was at least 30 weeks long, with at least half of the studies done in Nova Scotia (or 24 weeks for NOC 33102).
- Obtain a required certification from a Nova Scotia official body for the job
- Should have the language requirement of CLB 6
- Should have proof of enough settlement funds.
Eligible occupations:
- Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202.
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates – 33102.
- Paramedical occupations – 32102.
- Pharmacy technicians – 32124.
What Happens to Existing and New EOIs?
The changes we discussed apply only to students who submit a new Expression of Interest (EOI) application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) after February 18, 2026.
So far, the EOI’s which was submitted and are in the EOI pool will be active and won't be affected.
These kinds of updates will not impact Nova Scotia’s role in the Atlantic Immigration Program.
How Croyez Immigration Can Support Applicants
Nova Scotia has now grouped the immigration programs into 4 primary categories. So applicants need to understand the best option which suits them and the requirements they should meet. Professional help from Croyez Immigration can help the applicants with :
- Picking the right category
- Understanding the eligibility criteria
- Finalising the required documents
Croyez will also help in :
- Reviewing past work experience
- Checking language scores
- Identifying jobs that match their field of study
