Nova Scotia will not process certain applications for provincial nomination

Some applicants to the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP) will not have their applications processed.

The NS PNP has received applications in 2025 in excess of its allocation for the year, so is unable to extend nominations to all eligible applicants.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams

For the remainder of the year, Nova Scotia will be prioritizing applications from people who are already living and working in the province, with work visas expiring in 2025.

Out of these applicants, further prioritization will be given to skilled workers working in

• Healthcare and social assistance (NAICS 62); and
• Construction (NAICS 23).

Beyond these sectors, the province says it will consider factors such as the “regional needs across the province” and “people who are likely to stay long term in Nova Scotia.”

The province published this update on its website on July 16. The update also provides guidance on priority applications for 2026.

Outside Canada

The province has specified that for applicants outside Canada in 2025, skilled workers in priority sectors will be prioritized. The priority sectors are

• Healthcare;
• Social assistance; and
• Construction.

Most other international applications (from non-priority sectors) will not be processed.

That said, the province will make exceptions for employers in the Atlantic Immigration Program hiring in the following sectors:

• Trucking.
• Science and technology.
• Clean energy sectors.
• Resource Development.

What applications will Nova Scotia prioritize in 2026?

For 2026, the province plans to prioritize those working in Canada in healthcare, social assistance, and construction, whose permits are expiring in the same year.

Reduced PNP nomination allocation in 2025

In January 2025, the federal government notified Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) of a 50% reduction in their 2025 allocation (as compared to their 2024 allocation). This also impacts the Atlantic Immigration Program for the Atlantic Provinces.

In light of this, Nova Scotia’s allocation for its PNP and the AIP was cut from 6,300 in 2024 to 3,150 in 2025.

Many PNPs – including the British Columbia PNP and Ontario’s PNP – paused certain streams and made changes to program eligibility and the application processes in the first half of 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick have been able to increase their 2025 nomination allocations in exchange for agreeing to accept asylum claimants, humanitarian migrants, and refugees.

Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams