Nova Scotia PNP Limits 2025 Applications Amid Federal Reductions

Nova Scotia has announced it will not process certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications in 2025 due to overwhelming demand and a federally mandated cut to its annual allocation.

The province confirmed on July 16 that it has already received more applications than it is permitted to nominate this year. As a result, not all eligible candidates will be processed.

Who Will Be Prioritized in 2025?

Nova Scotia will now focus on applicants who are:

• Already living and working in the province
• Holding work permits expiring in 2025

Within this group, priority will be given to skilled workers in:

• Healthcare and Social Assistance (NAICS 62)
• Construction (NAICS 23)

Applicants will also be assessed on factors like:

• Regional needs within Nova Scotia
• Long-term settlement potential in the province

What About Candidates Outside Canada?

For applicants outside Canada:

• Only those in healthcare, social assistance, or construction will be prioritized.
• Most other international applications will not be processed in 2025 unless employers are hiring under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) in:
  • Trucking
  • Science and technology
  • Clean energy
  • Resource development

2026 Planning and Prioritization

In 2026, Nova Scotia will again give preference to workers in:

• Healthcare
• Social Assistance
• Construction
  …especially those already in Canada with expiring permits.

Why the Cut in PNP Applications?

This policy shift follows the federal government’s decision to cut Canada’s total PNP landing targets by 50%, from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025 and 2026, as part of the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–27.

As a result:

• Nova Scotia’s combined allocation for the NS PNP and AIP dropped from 6,300 to 3,150.
• Other provinces like Ontario and British Columbia also adjusted or paused their PNP streams.
• Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick managed to increase their allocations in return for accepting humanitarian migrants and asylum seekers.
  

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