Nova Scotia PNP – Your Gateway to Canadian Permanent Residency

The Nova Scotia nominee program has several streams to attract different types of applicants. Each stream has unique eligibility rules and application steps. Here are the main ones:

1. Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream

This is one of the most popular streams under the Nova Scotia PNP. It targets candidates who are already in the federal Express Entry pool. Nova Scotia selects candidates who have skills and work experience in specific high-demand occupations such as nurses, early childhood educators and software engineers.

The province doesn’t accept direct applications for this stream. Instead, it searches the Express Entry database and sends Letters of Interest (LOI) to selected candidates. Applicants generally get rejected because they don’t receive a Letter of Interest even though their job is in demand. To fix this issue, keep your Express Entry profile updated including job title, NOC code and language scores because the province filters candidates based on this data.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• You must have a valid Express Entry profile.
• You must meet the specific occupation or skill requirements mentioned in the draw.
• You need to show intent to live and work in Nova Scotia.

• You must have sufficient funds to settle in the province.

2. Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream

This stream is ideal for candidates who have at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B). It helps temporary foreign workers and international graduates transition to permanent residency. Applicants often struggle to prove valid work experience. To address this issue, they should gather employment letters, pay slips and tax documents (T4 or NOA) as proof of full-time work and apply while your work permit is still valid or maintain a valid status through an extension or bridging open work permit.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.
• Valid Express Entry profile.
• CLB 7 for high-skilled jobs (NOC 0 or A) and CLB 5 for others (NOC B).

• Must currently live or have lived in Nova Scotia legally.

3. Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream

This stream allows Nova Scotia employers to hire foreign workers or international graduates when they cannot find suitable local talent. It’s a direct employer-driven program, which means you need a valid job offer to apply. Ensure your offer is permanent and full-time not contract-based or seasonal as your visa application might be rejected if the job is not permanent. Ensure your job title and duties match exactly with the correct NOC code before applying.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer.
• At least 1 year of related work experience.
• High school diploma or higher education.
• Proof of English or French proficiency (CLB 5 or higher).

4. Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand Stream

This stream focuses on mid-skilled or semi-skilled occupations that face persistent labour shortages in the province. It is perfect for applicants working in NOC TEER 3, 4 or 5 jobs—typically roles that don’t require a university degree but need practical skills and training. Even if your employer provides housing, you must show personal financial resources to cover living costs for yourself and dependents. Employees get a lower salary than their expectation due to a lack of an appraisal letter or pay slip. To address this issue get letters from previous employers, certificates or trade qualifications to verify your experience.

Recent in-demand occupations include:

• Nurse aides and patient service associates
• Transport truck drivers
• Construction labourers
• Heavy equipment operators
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters

5. Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

The Entrepreneur Stream targets experienced business owners and senior managers who want to start, buy, or invest in a Nova Scotia business. It’s a two-step process — first, you receive a temporary work permit to operate your business; after one year of successful business activity, you can be nominated for PR. Prepare a realistic business plan that includes rent, taxes and employee salaries. Nova Scotia values sustainability over profit forecasts To avoid visa rejection you must live in Nova Scotia and actively manage operations and hire at least one Canadian citizen or PR holder as part of your business plan to meet the nomination condition.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum net worth of CAD 600,000.
• Invest at least CAD 150,000 in a Nova Scotia business.
• Minimum of 3 years of business ownership or 5 years of senior management experience.
• Must actively manage the business on a daily basis.

6. International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for graduates of Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions who have started or bought a business in the province. It helps young graduates turn their business into a PR pathway. Graduates often fail to show consistent business revenue. To address this issue maintain proper financial records tax filings, invoices and business bank statements to prove active operation. Make sure your business provides a public benefit, like job creation, innovation or community service rather than just self-employment.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Completed at least two years of full-time study in Nova Scotia.
• Minimum one year of business operation in the province.
• At least 33.3% ownership in the business.
• Valid post-graduation work permit.
• Must live in Nova Scotia while managing the business.