Nova Scotia conducted a Labour Market Priorities draw on 22 October 2025, selecting Express Entry candidates with primary occupations as computer programmers or interactive-media developers (NOC 21230). While the province has not yet published the total invitations, immigration consultants report scores as low as 68 in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.
The draw arrives amid an aggressive provincial push to build a 10,000-person technology workforce by 2030, supported by new venture-capital incentives and the recently opened Halifax Innovation District. Selected candidates must submit complete provincial applications within 30 days, demonstrate at least one year of related experience and provide proof of settlement funds.
For employers, the targeted draw offers a faster route to secure software talent without going through the federal Global Talent Stream. Companies can provide qualifying job offers to lower CRS-score candidates, effectively guaranteeing provincial nomination and the 600-point Express Entry boost. Mobility teams should prepare onboarding plans that address Nova Scotia’s evolving hybrid-work taxation rules and new cost-of-living requirements for settlement letters.
Observers expect additional tech-focused rounds before year-end, possibly expanding to cyber-security analysts and data scientists as provincial digital-government projects scale. Organisations with Atlantic-based clients should monitor occupational targets and ensure labour-market impact statements align with Nova Scotia’s Skills for Prosperity strategy.
The draw arrives amid an aggressive provincial push to build a 10,000-person technology workforce by 2030, supported by new venture-capital incentives and the recently opened Halifax Innovation District. Selected candidates must submit complete provincial applications within 30 days, demonstrate at least one year of related experience and provide proof of settlement funds.
For employers, the targeted draw offers a faster route to secure software talent without going through the federal Global Talent Stream. Companies can provide qualifying job offers to lower CRS-score candidates, effectively guaranteeing provincial nomination and the 600-point Express Entry boost. Mobility teams should prepare onboarding plans that address Nova Scotia’s evolving hybrid-work taxation rules and new cost-of-living requirements for settlement letters.
Observers expect additional tech-focused rounds before year-end, possibly expanding to cyber-security analysts and data scientists as provincial digital-government projects scale. Organisations with Atlantic-based clients should monitor occupational targets and ensure labour-market impact statements align with Nova Scotia’s Skills for Prosperity strategy.
