Nova Scotia revamps provincial immigration streams, i.e., Nova Scotia has made important changes to its provincial immigration system. The province has combined several immigration pathways to make the process clearer and easier to understand.

As of February 18, 2026, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) now includes four main immigration streams instead of the previous 10.

The eligibility rules for all ten previous pathways have not changed. Instead, they have been grouped under the following four streams:

  • Skilled Worker.
  • Nova Scotia Graduate.
  • Entrepreneur.
  • Nova Scotia: Express Entry.

Candidates who already have an active Expression of Interest (EOI) in the NSNP pool do not need to take any action. Their profiles will remain valid and will not be affected by these updates.

According to the province’s official information, these changes were made to modernize the immigration system, create clearer pathways for newcomers and employers, and improve processing efficiency.

How The Province Reorganized Its Streams?

Under the new structure, the four updated streams now include all ten of the previous pathways. The province has grouped similar programs together to make the system simpler.

Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker stream continues under the same name but now includes four former pathways:

  • Skilled Worker.
  • Critical Construction Worker Pilot.
  • Physicians.
  • Occupations in Demand.

This change allows related worker programs to sit under one umbrella, making it easier for applicants and employers to understand their options.

Nova Scotia: Express Entry

The stream previously known as “Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry” has been renamed to “Nova Scotia: Express Entry.”

It now includes three former pathways:

  • Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry.
  • Labour Market Priorities.
  • Labour Market Priorities for Physicians.

The new name better reflects the stream’s link with the federal Express Entry system.

Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur stream keeps its original name but now includes two pathways:

  • Entrepreneur; and
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur.

This consolidation brings business-focused pathways together in one place.

Nova Scotia Graduates

The stream previously called “International Graduates in Demand” is now known as “Nova Scotia Graduates.”

It continues to include one pathway and focuses on graduates trained in the province.

Skilled Worker Stream

To qualify for the Skilled Worker stream, candidates must meet several basic requirements.

They must:

  • Be 21 to 55 years of age
  • Possess a full-time job offer from an in-province employer, and have the necessary training, skills, and/or accreditation for their position
  • Meet the minimum work experience requirement according to their job 
  • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Have one year of relevant work experience
  • TEER 4 or 5 job offer, six months’ work experience with the job offer employer
  • Have a high school diploma
  • Meet the Minimum language proficiency requirements according to their role
  • CLB 5 for occupations in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3
  • CLB 4 for occupations in TEER 4 or 5. a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, or a CLB 4 if in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation
  • Have sufficient settlement funds

In addition to these overview requirements, candidates must also qualify under at least one of the four Skilled Worker pathways.

Construction Pathway

Candidates applying through the construction pathway may be exempt from the high school diploma requirement if they have completed recognized construction industry training.

To qualify, the candidate must have a valid job offer in the construction sector (NAICS 23) in one of the following occupations:

  • Bricklayers – 72320.
  • Carpenters – 72310.
  • Concrete finishers – 73100.
  • Construction managers – 70010.
  • Construction trades helpers and labourers – 75110.
  • Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations – 72011.
  • Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades – 72020.
  • Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers – 72014.
  • Crane operators – 72500.
  • Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200.
  • Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402.
  • Heavy equipment operators – 73400.
  • Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401.
  • Home building and renovation managers – 70011.
  • Industrial electricians – 72201.
  • Material handlers – 75101.
  • Other trades helpers and labourers – 75119.
  • Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers – 73102.
  • Residential and commercial installers and servicers – 73200.
  • Roofers and shinglers – 73110.
  • Sheet metal workers – 72102.
  • Welders and related machine operators – 72106.

To qualify under the Physicians pathway, applicants must have an approved job offer from either the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) or the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK).

Eligible occupations include:

  • General practitioners and family physicians – 31102.
  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine – 31100.
  • Specialists in surgery – 31101.

The job offer must confirm eligibility for proper licensing and the ability to apply for institution-based credentials.

To qualify for Occupations in Demand pathway, candidates must have a job offer in a targeted TEER 3, 4, or 5 occupation.

At present, the province has not listed specific occupations for this pathway.

Nova Scotia: Express Entry

To be eligible for this stream, candidates must meet the following basic criteria:

  • Have a profile in the federal Express Entry system.
  • Be 21 to 55 years of age.
  • Have one years’ worth of NS-based work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
  • Have a high school diploma.
  • Meet the minimum language proficiency requirement according to their occupation: TEER 0 or 1 occupations: CLB 7 and TEER 2 or 3 occupations: CLB 5.

If claiming work experience gained on a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), the individual must have graduated from a Nova Scotia institution.

To qualify under the Physicians pathway, candidates must:

  • Have an approved job offer under NOC code 31102, 31101, or 31100 from the NSHA or IWK
  • Have received a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the NSNP through Express Entry
  • Have a signed Return for Service Agreement confirming a commitment to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years
  • Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds

Candidates must submit their EOI to the NSNP within 30 calendar days of receiving the LOI.

Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for individuals who want to start or buy a business in Nova Scotia and actively manage it.

Basic requirements include:

  • Be 21 years of age or older;
  • Meet the minimum net worth requirement based on business location: 
  • Inside Halifax Regional Municipality: $600,000. 
  • Outside Halifax Regional Municipality: $400,000.
  • Meet the minimum investment requirement based on business location: 
  • Inside Halifax Regional Municipality: $600,000.
  • Outside Halifax Regional Municipality: $400,000.
  • Meet work experience requirements:
  • Active management and ownership experience (1/3 minimum): three years.
  • Senior business management: five years.
  • Demonstrate CLB level 5 in English or French.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Pathway

Graduates must have a valid PGWP and must:

  • Have at least one year of experience actively managing and owning their Nova Scotia business (minimum one-third ownership)
  • Hold a degree or diploma from a minimum two-year full-time in-person program at a Nova Scotia institution
  • Meet language requirements of CLB 7

Nova Scotia Graduate Stream

To qualify, candidates must have a full-time job offer in an eligible occupation that matches their recent field of study.

They must also:

  • Be 19 to 55 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma and meet study program requirements at a Nova Scotia institution within three years of applying
  • Have completed a program of at least 30 weeks (with at least 50% completed in Nova Scotia, or 24 weeks for NOC 33102)
  • Hold required certifications from a Nova Scotia regulatory body
  • Demonstrate CLB level 5
  • Have sufficient settlement funds

Eligible occupations:

  • Early childhood educators and assistants – 42202.
  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates – 33102.
  • Paramedical occupations – 32102.
  • Pharmacy technicians – 32124.

What Happens To Existing EOIs?

The province has confirmed that these changes apply only to new EOIs submitted on or after February 18, 2026.

All EOIs already in the pool will remain active and will not be affected.

The province has also confirmed that none of these updates impact Nova Scotia’s role in the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Overall, Nova Scotia’s restructuring aims to simplify its immigration system while keeping eligibility rules the same. The province hopes the clearer structure will help employers fill labour gaps faster and help newcomers better understand their pathway options.

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