Nova Scotia overhauls selection process for permanent residents, i.e., on November 28, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) announced it would introduce a new Expression of Interest (EOI) model for its intake, following in the footsteps of almost all other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

According to the province’s website, all submissions to Nova Scotia’s immigration programs, are now considered EOIs. 

The NSPNP further clarified that having a case ID or submitting an application that meets eligibility criteria did not guarantee that submissions to the immigration programs would be processed. 

This change also applies to endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). 

Note that an EOI model introduces an applicant pool system into the application intake process. 

On the other hand, earlier NSPNP applicants submitted complete applications that were assessed and either refused/ nominated. Now, these complete applications will be placed in an applicant pool, from which the NSPNP will draw applicants based on its own immigration priorities before assessing them. This is similar to how the Express Entry system selects applicants. 

As part of this shift, Nova Scotia also announced it would prioritise applicants aligned with current labour market and economic needs. 

Possible priority sectors listed by the province include: 

  • Trades
  • Healthcare
  • STEM
  • Construction 
  • Natural Resources 
  • Manufacturing 

The province expects these priorities to evolve. 

How Will The New EOI Process Work For AIP And NSPNP Applicants? 

Under the revised EOI model, both NSPNP applicants as well as AIP employers will continue to submit complete applications. Still, these submissions will now function as EOIs and be placed into a centralized pool. 

Nova Scotia will periodically run draws to determine which EOIs move forward to processing. 

Selection might depend on various factors, like: 

  • The size of the EOI pool 
  • Current provincial priorities
  • Program integrity needs 
  • How many nomination or endorsement allocation slots remain

Applicants or employers chosen in a draw will obtain direct notice from the province confirming that their submission is being advanced to processing. Selection signals alignment with Nova Scotia’s priorities at that time, but it does not guarantee approval. 

Moreover, if an EOI is not selected, it simply stays in the pool. Applicants who do not receive communication can assume nothing has changed in the status of their submission. 

Why Has Nova Scotia Implemented This Change To Its Immigration Intake Now? 

As Nova Scotia overhauls selection process for permanent residents, let us discuss why the province implemented this change now. 

Well, in its announcement of the new EOI model, the NSPNP stated that the number of individuals interested in immigrating to Nova Scotia is significantly higher than the number of applications the province can approve under its annual federal allocation for IRCC. 

The increased selectivity that provinces must apply in their selection processes has been the driving force behind multiple provinces implementing an EOI system this year. 

Nova Scotia’s implementation of an EOI system follows the same basic trends, as the province seeks to direct its nomination allocation more directly to pressing labor market and demographic needs. 

While this remains the case this year, next year might bring some relief to NSPNP applicants, with the drastic increase to overall provincial immigration targets for 2026. These allocations flow directly into provincial nomination allocations. This implies that Nova Scotia might soon witness an increase in its available provincial nomination spots.

In fact, the province’s nomination allocation for 2025 has already increased, rising from 3,150 spots at the beginning of the year to 3,709 nomination spots in October this year. 

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