Nova Scotia updates PR selection with a new EOI system, i.e., on November 28, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) announced a major update to how it selects candidates for permanent residency. The province will now use a new Expression of Interest (EOI) model, similar to most other Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada.
According to the province’s website, every submission to Nova Scotia’s immigration programs, no matter when it was submitted, will now be treated as an EOI.
NSPNP also clarified that having a case ID or meeting the eligibility rules does not guarantee that an application will be processed. This change also applies to endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Note: An EOI model uses a pool of candidates. Earlier, applicants sent full applications that were reviewed and either refused or approved. Now, complete applications will go into a pool, and the province will “draw” candidates based on its labour and economic needs before reviewing them. This is similar to the selection system used in Express Entry.
Nova Scotia confirmed that it will now focus on candidates who match the current labour market demands & economic goals.
Possible priority sectors shared by the province include:
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Trades
- STEM
- Natural Resources
- Manufacturing
These priorities may change over time as the province’s needs shift.
How The New EOI Process Will Work?
As Nova Scotia updates PR selection with a new EOI system, it is important to note that with this system, both NSPNP applicants and AIP employers will continue to send complete applications. However, these full submissions will now act as EOIs and will be placed in a single centralized pool.
Nova Scotia will run draws at different times to choose which EOIs will move ahead to full processing. Selection may depend on factors like:
- the province’s current priority needs
- how many nomination or endorsement spots are left for the year
- the size of the EOI pool
- program integrity and fairness needs
If a candidate or employer is selected, they will receive a direct message from the province confirming that their file is moving to the processing stage. Being selected means the application matches Nova Scotia’s current needs, but it is not a guarantee of approval.
If an EOI is not selected, it will simply remain in the pool. Applicants who do not receive any communication can assume their file’s status has not changed.
Why Is Nova Scotia Making This Change Now?
In its announcement, NSPNP explained that the number of people wanting to immigrate to Nova Scotia is much higher than the number of applications the province is allowed to approve each year. This approval limit comes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Because of lower nomination allocations from IRCC this year, many provinces have switched to more selective intake systems. Nova Scotia is now doing the same to make sure its nominations go toward the most urgent labour and economic needs.
Although 2025 remains competitive, 2026 may bring better news for NSPNP applicants. Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan includes a major increase in provincial immigration targets, which will flow into larger nomination allocations for provinces like Nova Scotia.
In fact, Nova Scotia’s nomination allocation for 2025 has already gone up. It increased from 3,150 spots to 3,709 spots by October 2025, according to recent reports.
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