The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) has overhauled its intake system, moving every submission—current and new—into an Expression-of-Interest (EOI) pool as of 28 November, with formal confirmation posted on 1 December. Under the new model, candidates and Atlantic Immigration Program employers will submit a short profile and await periodic draws aligned with provincial labour-market needs, mirroring the federal Express Entry system.
Priority sectors initially include health care, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources and manufacturing, but officials say the list will evolve based on economic data. Candidates with existing file numbers should not expect automatic processing; only those chosen in a draw will receive a nomination.
![Nova Scotia Switches to Expression-of-Interest Pool for All Nominee Streams]()
The change responds to a surge in demand that far outstrips Nova Scotia’s 3,709 nomination spots for 2025. It also positions the province to scale quickly once the 2026 Immigration Levels Plan restores higher PNP allocations. Employers that rely on endorsements for the Atlantic Immigration Program should track draw schedules and ensure job offers meet the province’s shifting criteria.
For global mobility teams, the shift means longer planning horizons: workers who previously filed complete applications may now face an indefinite wait in the pool. Companies may need to extend temporary work permits or explore federal options to bridge the gap.
Priority sectors initially include health care, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources and manufacturing, but officials say the list will evolve based on economic data. Candidates with existing file numbers should not expect automatic processing; only those chosen in a draw will receive a nomination.
The change responds to a surge in demand that far outstrips Nova Scotia’s 3,709 nomination spots for 2025. It also positions the province to scale quickly once the 2026 Immigration Levels Plan restores higher PNP allocations. Employers that rely on endorsements for the Atlantic Immigration Program should track draw schedules and ensure job offers meet the province’s shifting criteria.
For global mobility teams, the shift means longer planning horizons: workers who previously filed complete applications may now face an indefinite wait in the pool. Companies may need to extend temporary work permits or explore federal options to bridge the gap.
