Nova Scotia Immigration 2025: Only 1,312 Provincial Spots Left
Nova Scotia has confirmed the number of immigration spaces it has left for 2025, revealing strong demand but limited availability.
Key Updates on Immigration Allocations
- As of August 6, 2025, the province has already used 1,838 spots across the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
- Nova Scotia’s total allocation for 2025 is 3,150 spots, which is a 50% reduction compared to 2024, following federal government cuts.
- That leaves only 1,312 spaces available for the rest of 2025.
Distribution of Immigration Spaces
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP): 1,765 total spots
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 1,365 total spots
Heavy Backlog of Applications
- Demand is significantly higher than supply, with 9,774 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) waiting to be processed.
- Breakdown of EOIs by stream:
- Skilled Worker: 3,588 EOIs
- Experience: Express Entry: 1,734 EOIs
- Occupations in Demand: 1,267 EOIs
- Critical Construction Worker: 434 EOIs
- International Graduates in Demand: 103 EOIs
- Physician & Labour Market Priorities for Physicians: 6 EOIs total
- Entrepreneur: 8 EOIs
- International Graduate Entrepreneur: 1 EOI
- Atlantic Immigration Program: 2,633 EOIs
Why Interest is So High
- The Skilled Worker and Experience: Express Entry streams under NSNP are seeing particularly strong demand.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) continues to attract a high number of applications due to its employer-driven pathway to Permanent Residency.
Provincial Selection Factors
Nova Scotia has stated that immigration selections are not based solely on application numbers. Instead, decisions are influenced by:
- Current labour market needs (especially healthcare and construction)
- Regional workforce demands
- Quality and completeness of applications
- Available allocations per stream
- Candidate’s likelihood of settling in Nova Scotia long-term
Program-Specific Insights
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Offers 11 immigration streams (some linked to Express Entry, others not).
- Eligibility often depends on age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds.
- Most streams require a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer, often within a specific sector.
- Once nominated, applicants must apply for Permanent Residence within 12 months.
- Processing times:
- Express Entry PR application: about 8 months
- Non-Express Entry PR application: about 20 months
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- A pathway for skilled workers and international graduates to obtain PR in Atlantic Canada.
- Employer-driven program requiring a provincially endorsed job offer.
- Candidates also need a settlement plan before applying for PR.
- Processing time for PR applications: about 13 months.
- AIP candidates may be eligible for a two-year LMIA-exempt work permit to start working while waiting for PR approval.
Priority Candidates for 2025
- Nova Scotia is prioritizing candidates already living and working in the province, especially those with work permits expiring in 2025.
- Occupations in healthcare, social assistance, and construction will receive top priority.
- Out-of-province candidates may also be prioritized if they work in:
- Trucking
- Science and technology
- Clean energy
- Resource development
In summary: Nova Scotia has 1,312 immigration spots left for 2025, but with nearly 10,000 applicants waiting, competition will be extremely high. Healthcare, construction, and in-demand skilled workers stand the best chance of being selected.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
