Nova Scotia shifts to Expression-of-Interest intake for nominations — applicants enter a pool, province to draw by labour priorities
Nova Scotia has overhauled how it selects candidates for provincial nomination, moving from a first-come, full-application model to an Expression-of-Interest (EOI) pool. Announced on November 28, the change aligns the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSPNP) with the selection frameworks used by most other provincial nominee programs and the federal Express Entry model: complete applications will now be treated as EOIs and placed in a centralized candidate pool, from which the province will draw the submissions it will process further.
The shift applies across Nova Scotia’s provincial streams and to employer endorsements under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Importantly, the NSPNP has warned that having a case ID or meeting preliminary eligibility does not guarantee a submission will be processed — selection will depend on the province’s active labour-market priorities and the outcome of periodic draws.
Why Nova Scotia changed course
Officials say the decision reflects an imbalance between demand and available nomination spaces. Nova Scotia’s announcement notes that the number of people interested in immigrating to the province far exceeds the nominations it can grant under its federal allocation. Reduced provincial nomination caps at the federal level have pushed provinces to be more selective and strategic about how they use limited nomination slots. By moving to an EOI pool model, Nova Scotia can:
- Prioritize candidates who best match current economic and labour needs;
- Manage its nomination allocation more deliberately, including reserving spots for urgent sectors; and
- Improve program integrity and administrative efficiency by assessing only those candidates it intends to process during each draw.
The change also positions Nova Scotia to respond faster to shifting employer needs and demographic priorities while ensuring nominations are used where they will have the greatest economic impact.
How the new EOI model will operate
Under the new approach, applicants and employers will still submit full applications to NSNP and AIP streams. However, those submissions will act as EOIs and be placed into a single, centralized pool. The province will then:
- Periodically run draws from the pool to select submissions for processing.
- Use selection criteria such as current provincial priorities, available nomination or endorsement slots, the size and composition of the pool, and program integrity considerations.
- Notify selected candidates or employers directly when their submissions are advanced for full processing. Selection is a signal of alignment with Nova Scotia’s priorities at that time, not a final approval.
- Leave unselected EOIs in the pool — applicants who receive no communication should assume their submission remains pending and unchanged.
This model allows Nova Scotia to batch and sequence processing, which can preserve administrative resources and ensure nominations are concentrated in sectors and occupations that most need labour.
Priority sectors and the province’s labour focus
Nova Scotia has published an initial list of priority sectors to guide its selection draws. These sectors include, but are not limited to:
- Healthcare;
- Construction;
- Skilled trades;
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
- Natural resources; and
- Manufacturing.
Officials emphasise these priorities will evolve — draws and selection criteria may change to match shifting provincial economic plans, employer demand, and federal allocation rules.
What this means for applicants and employers
For applicants:
- No guaranteed processing: Submitting a full application no longer guarantees immediate assessment. Your application will enter the EOI pool and may be selected in a later draw.
- Ongoing status: If you are not selected, your EOI stays in the pool; lack of contact means no change to your submission.
- Prepare to demonstrate priority fit: Selection is likely to favour applicants whose occupations, experience and job offers align closely with Nova Scotia’s current priorities. Applicants should ensure applications clearly document employer support, job duties, wages, credentials and local ties.
For employers (including AIP employers):
- Endorsements now competitive: Employer endorsements under AIP will also move through the pool process. Employers should submit complete, compelling endorsements that show how a candidate addresses a provincial labour need.
- Plan recruitment strategically: Employers in high-priority sectors may have a better chance of having endorsements or applications selected. Consider timing hiring and endorsement requests to match likely draw windows.
Administrative and policy implications
The EOI model gives Nova Scotia greater discretion over how it uses a finite federal nomination allocation. It may also reduce processing of applications that do not fit labour priorities and elevate applications with a clear, demonstrable impact on the provincial economy. The change reflects a broader national trend: provinces adapting intake rules to make nomination allocations more outcome-oriented and labour-aligned.
At the same time, moving to a pool increases uncertainty for applicants used to the previous “submit and wait for assessment” model. Clear, transparent communication about draw frequency, selection criteria and timelines will be essential to maintain trust and help candidates plan.
What applicants should do now — practical preparation tips
- Review and update your application materials: Make sure job offers, employer letters, resume, credential assessments and language test results are current and clear.
- Document how you meet labour priorities: Where possible, demonstrate how your occupation, skills and experience map to Nova Scotia’s stated priority sectors and to living and working in Nova Scotia.
- Confirm employer support: If applying with an employer endorsement, secure robust letters that explain the role, wages, full-time status and recruitment efforts to hire locally.
- Keep contact information up to date: The province will notify selected candidates — ensure your email, mailing address and representative details are current.
- Monitor official communications: Watch for announcements about draw timing, selection factors and any temporary priority lists.
- Be patient but proactive: While EOIs remain in the pool, applicants can look for ways to strengthen profiles — additional training, letters of reference, or clearer employer documentation.
The broader picture: allocations, caps and what comes next
Nova Scotia has already seen its nomination allocation grow modestly in 2025 — rising from earlier estimates to a larger October figure — and national nomination targets are expected to expand again under future federal immigration plans. The EOI model gives the province flexibility to scale draws up or down in response to these allocation shifts. As federal and provincial policies evolve, Nova Scotia may update priorities and draw procedures; applicants should be ready to adapt.
Bottom line
The NSPNP’s move to an EOI model marks a major procedural shift: full submissions will now enter a candidate pool and be selected for processing only when they align with Nova Scotia’s evolving labour and economic priorities. The change offers provinces better tools for matching nominees to pressing needs but introduces a new layer of uncertainty for applicants. Prospective nominees and employers should strengthen documentation, focus on priority sectors, and stay alert for draw announcements to maximize their chances of selection.
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