Nova Scotia Overhauls System to Pick New Permanent Residents

Nova Scotia changed its immigration intake on November 28. The province introduced a new Expression of Interest model, also called EOI. Almost every other province already uses this system. Nova Scotia now joins them.

The province explained the change on its website. It stated, “all submissions to Nova Scotia’s immigration programs — regardless of when they were submitted — are now considered EOIs.”
This statement signalled a major shift in how officials handle applications.

Province Clarifies New Rules

Officials explained the change in clear terms. They said that a case ID no longer guarantees movement on a file. They also said that an eligible application no longer secures processing. This rule now applies to the Atlantic Immigration Program as well.

Under the previous system, applicants sent full applications. Officials then either refused or nominated them. The new EOI system uses a pool instead. Officials place every complete submission in that pool. They then select candidates from that pool when they need workers in certain areas. This approach resembles the selection style in the Express Entry system.

Province Sets New Priorities

Officials also released new priority areas. They said they want candidates who support labour and economic needs. The province listed several key sectors. They include health care, construction, trades, STEM fields, natural resources, and manufacturing. Officials expect these sectors to shift over time as needs change.

How the New Process Works

Both NSPNP candidates and AIP employers will continue to send full submissions. The province now treats each submission as an EOI and places it in one shared pool. Officials will hold regular draws. These draws will determine which EOIs move forward.

Officials will choose EOIs based on several factors. These include current labour demands, the number of available nomination spots, the size of the pool, and program integrity needs. The province will contact candidates or employers who move forward. This notice signals that officials selected their file for processing. This notice does not guarantee approval.

EOIs that do not receive selection will stay in the pool. Candidates who receive no message can assume no change in their file.

Why Nova Scotia Made the Change

Officials explained the reason behind this major shift. They said that interest in moving to Nova Scotia now far exceeds available spaces. They explained that the province must follow its federal nomination limits each year. These limits come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Many provinces now face similar pressures. Several of them introduced EOI systems this year. Nova Scotia followed the same trend because its nomination limits shrank earlier in the year. The province now wants to direct each nomination toward urgent labour and demographic needs.

Nova Scotia may soon gain some relief. The federal immigration plan for 2026 outlines a major increase in provincial immigration targets. These targets feed directly into provincial nomination allocations. As a result, Nova Scotia could soon receive more nomination spaces.

The province already saw one increase this year. Its 2025 allocation rose from 3,150 to 3,709 by October. Officials believe this increase may support smoother draws next year.