NSNP 2026 Update — New Three-Level Priority Framework
Major program changes apply to all new Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions received after February 18, 2026. The former Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, Labour Market Priorities and Labour Market Priorities for Physicians streams have been consolidated into a new Nova Scotia: Express Entry Stream.
On April 27, 2026, Nova Scotia announced a three-level priority framework for selecting candidates from the EOI pool, prioritizing healthcare workers and skilled tradespeople at the top tier, followed by additional priority sectors.
Under the consolidated model, NSNP issues Notifications of Interest (NOIs) directly to candidates whose skills match provincial labour market needs — the province does not publish a routine schedule of public draw rounds the way most other PNPs do. For current NSNP priorities, eligibility criteria and program guidance, see the official Live in Nova Scotia page.
Nova Scotia’s 2026 PNP nomination allocation is projected at approximately 5,300 spots. The province does not currently publish individual draw counts; the historic public NSNP draw tables (2020-2022) below are preserved for reference.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) issues periodic Invitations to apply throughout the year to qualified candidates.
Applicants interested in the Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur streams must submit an expression of interest (EOI) under the Government of Nova Scotia’s online system.
Selected candidates are invited to apply for provincial nomination. Approved candidates are nominated to apply for permanent residence.
NSNP Draws 2022
Entrepreneur Stream
Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
|
01-11-22 | 6 | 128 |
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
|
01-11-22 | 6 | 47 |
NSNP Draws 2021
Entrepreneur Stream
| Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
| 22-Dec-21 | 20 | 119 |
| 13-Sep-21 | 28 | 120 |
| 24-Feb-21 | 43 | 118 |
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
| Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
| 22-Dec-21 | 2 | 53 |
| 13-Sep-21 | 2 | 57 |
| 03-May-21 | 2 | 44 |
NSNP Draws 2020
Entrepreneur Stream
| Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
| 09-Dec-2020 | 34 | 112 |
| 05-Feb-2020 | 27 | 115 |
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
| Date | Number of invitations | Lowest score |
| 09-Dec-2020 | 2 | 42 |
| 24-Sep-2020 | 5 | 49 |
| 05-Feb-2020 | 1 | 67 |
