published on 16 December 2025 @ 4:21 pm · COMMENT

Nova Scotia Moves to Expression of Interest System for Provincial Immigration

Nova Scotia has announced changes to its Provincial Nominee Programme (NSPNP), effective November 28, 2025. Under the new system, all submissions—regardless of when they were filed—will be treated as Expressions of Interest (EOI). Complete applications will now enter a centralized candidate pool, and the province will select applicants for processing based on labour market and economic priorities, including healthcare, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources, and manufacturing. Holding a case ID or meeting eligibility requirements no longer guarantees that an application will be processed. The change also applies to endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Programme (AIP).

This shift gives the province discretion to determine which applications move forward, effectively reducing certainty for applicants. There is currently no timeline for when candidates may be contacted, and selection is dependent on provincial priorities, available nomination slots, and the size of the EOI pool. Applying this system retroactively means that previously submitted applications may remain unprocessed indefinitely. Applicants in “priority sectors” may have a higher likelihood of selection, but the process remains largely opaque at this time.

For applicants, this means uncertainty about if or when their cases will be adjudicated. Law firms and representatives can monitor provincial updates, submit new information where relevant (such as job offers or ties to Nova Scotia), and try to advocate for selection during upcoming draws. While this system aligns Nova Scotia with other EOI-based provincial programs, the retroactive application has introduced significant unpredictability for current applicants.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE