Nova Scotia confirms number of remaining spaces for provincial immigration in 2025
Nova Scotia has a total of 1,312 spaces remaining for 2025 across its provincial immigration programs.
As of August 6, 2025, the province has used up at least 1,838 of its slots across the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNSP) and its portion of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), according to an email received by CIC News from a provincial representative.
Nova Scotia’s 2025 combined allocation across the NSNP and AIP is 3,150, reflecting a 50% reduction imposed by the federal government compared to 2024.
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Interest in Nova Scotia’s immigration programs remains high, with 9,774 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) still waiting to be processed as of August 6.
Nova Scotia’s 3,150 immigration spots for 2025 are as distributed as follows:
The table below details the number of EOIs awaiting processing by program and stream.
| Program | Stream | Total number of EOIs |
|---|---|---|
| NSNP | Skilled Worker | 3,588 |
| Experience: Express Entry | 1,734 | |
| Occupations in Demand | 1,267 | |
| Critical Construction Worker | 434 | |
| International Graduates in Demand | 103 | |
| Labour Market Priorities for Physicians | 3 | |
| Physician | 3 | |
| Entrepreneur | 8 | |
| International Graduate Entrepreneur | 1 | |
| AIP | N/A. | 2,633 |
| Total EOIs awaiting processing | 9,774 | |
The province did not provide the number of EOIs currently awaiting processing for the general Labour Market Priorities Stream or the Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot.
According to the Government of Nova Scotia, the province is currently experiencing particularly high interest in the NSNP Skilled Worker and Experience: Express Entry streams, as well as the AIP.
The province has informed CIC News via email that their decision to process provincial immigration application depends on numerous factors, including
- Labour market needs, such as healthcare and construction;
- Regional demands;
- Application quality and timing;
- Available allocations; and
- The likelihood of a candidate staying in Nova Scotia long-term.
Nova Scotia has not disclosed how many provincial selections have been nominations under the NSNP versus endorsements under the AIP.
About the Nova Scotia Nominee Program
The NSNP offers foreign nationals a pathway to Canadian permanent residence (PR) and is comprised of 11 streams.
Some streams are enhanced (Express Entry-aligned); others are not.
Each stream has varying eligibility requirements, which are typically centred around age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds.
Almost all NSNP streams require candidates to have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer to be considered, often in a certain sector or National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
While the consideration process varies stream-to-stream, generally candidates are required to submit a complete application for nomination, and post-processing they will either be nominated or have their application refused.
Nova Scotia requires candidates to apply for PR no later than 12 months after receiving a nomination.
The current processing time for PR applications submitted to IRCC is eight months if through Express Entry and 20 months if not.
About the Atlantic Immigration Program
The AIP is a pathway to PR for skilled workers and certain international student graduates who want to settle in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces.
This is an employer-driven program, for which a foreign national must obtain a provincially-endorsed job offer from an eligible designated employer.
Eligibility requirements for candidates are centred around education, work experience, language proficiency, and settlement funds.
Provided a candidate meets eligibility requirements and has had their job offer endorsed by the province, they can get a settlement plan (a federal requirement) and then apply to IRCC for PR.
AIP applicants may be eligible to apply for a LMIA-exempt special work permit, with a maximum validity period of two years, which allows them to start working in Canada while their PR application is being processed.
In July of this year, Nova Scotia announced that it will be prioritizing foreign nationals already living and working in the province with work permits expiring in 2025.
Among these, individuals employed in the healthcare and social assistance (NAICS 62) and construction (NAICS 23) will receive further prioritization.
Candidates residing outside the province will be prioritized if they are working in healthcare, social assistance, and construction, with exceptions made for employers who are hiring in the following sectors:
- Trucking;
- Science and technology;
- Clean energy; and
- Resource development.
The current processing time for the AIP is 13 months.
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