Nova Scotia sets new priorities for immigration program, i.e., Nova Scotia has shared new rules for how it will select candidates under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). The update was announced on April 27.

The province has introduced a three-level system. This system shows which jobs will get faster processing and higher priority.

Healthcare workers and skilled trades workers are placed at the top level. They will have the best chances of receiving a nomination.

Other workers may face more limits. At the moment, candidates working in TEER 5 jobs will not be considered.

The province has also said that these priorities may change in the future. Changes will depend on labour needs and the number of nominations available.

Priority Occupations Under The New System

Level 1 – Healthcare And Skilled Trades (top priority)

Authorities give the highest priority to healthcare workers and skilled trades workers. These jobs fall under TEER 0 to 4.

This is the only level where both international applicants and temporary residents in Nova Scotia can apply.

Level 2 – Additional Priority Occupations

Nova Scotia may also invite candidates who are already living and working in the province under the following job groups:

  • NOC 2 — Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
  • NOC 4 — Education, law, and social, community and government services
  • NOC 8 — Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
  • NOC 9 — Manufacturing and utilities

These jobs must be within TEER 0 to 4.

Level 3 – Limited Selection

For all other jobs, the province will only consider candidates who are already living in Nova Scotia.

These candidates must be working in TEER 0, 1, or 2 jobs.

Levels 2 and 3 are only open to temporary residents in the province. This means that applicants from outside Canada, who are not in healthcare or trades, will have fewer chances under the main NSNP pool.

Other Ways To Get Permanent Residence In Nova Scotia

The general NSNP pool is not the only option for candidates.

Doctors have a separate pathway through the Labour Market Priorities Physicians stream. This stream is linked with the Express Entry system.

It targets the following job groups:

  • specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
  • specialists in surgery (31101)
  • and general practitioners and family physicians (31102)

This pathway works separately from the main NSNP system. Candidates must have an Express Entry profile and a valid job offer from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or IWK Health Centre.

Workers in northern parts of the province may also have another option.

They can apply through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in Pictou County. This is a federal program and is not part of the NSNP.

In 2026, Pictou County is focusing on 25 jobs across six sectors. These include healthcare, trades, manufacturing, and education.

Candidates must have a job offer from an approved employer in the region.

Reason Behind The Changes

These updates follow a plan announced by Nova Scotia in December 2025.

At that time, the province introduced a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. It also said that it would focus more on selecting candidates who match its labour market needs.

The new priority levels are part of that plan.

TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) is used in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to show the skill level needed for a job. TEER 0 is the highest level, while TEER 5 is the lowest.

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