Nova Scotia consolidated ten streams into four.
Each consolidated stream contains criteria or subcriteria for different profiles. An EOI can be selected according to economic priorities, allocation, application volume and program integrity; submission does not guarantee an invitation.
Nova Scotia Graduate
For specific recent Nova Scotia graduates with matching permanent job offers.
Skilled Worker
General worker, Critical Construction, Physician and any current Occupations In-Demand criteria.
Nova Scotia: Express Entry
For selected candidates including qualifying Nova Scotia experience and other published criteria.
Entrepreneur
For experienced business applicants and qualifying Nova Scotia international graduate entrepreneurs.
Start with the four current streams, then identify the exact criteria.
| Stream / criteria | Core profile | Key published requirement | NOC / TEER role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker — General | Worker age 21–55 with a permanent Nova Scotia offer | Full-time, year-round offer; related experience, education, language and licensing | TEER sets language and experience rules |
| Critical Construction | Worker with an offer in a published construction NOC | Qualifying permanent offer in the official list | Exact five-digit NOC—not industry alone—controls access |
| Physician | Eligible physician with a qualifying health-authority opportunity | Professional approval and stream-specific offer evidence | NOC and provincial medical licensing must align |
| Nova Scotia Graduate | Recent local graduate in a currently listed occupation | Matching permanent offer; current list includes NOCs 32102, 32124, 33102 and 42202 | Only specified NOCs and study relationship qualify |
| Nova Scotia: Express Entry | Federal Express Entry candidate meeting selected provincial criteria | For NS Experience, generally one year of Nova Scotia work in TEER 0–3 plus federal eligibility | NOC/TEER controls experience and language threshold |
| Entrepreneur | Experienced owner/senior manager, or qualifying local graduate business owner | Investment, net worth, business operation and performance requirements | Business assessment, not worker NOC points |
Current priorities matter more than a historical stream name.
Priority sectors
The province currently emphasizes healthcare and skilled trades in TEER 0–4; TEER 5 applications are not prioritized.
General language thresholds
For Critical Construction, the published guide requires CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0–3 and CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4–5. Exact criteria can vary by stream.
Graduate occupation list
The current Nova Scotia Graduate page lists paramedical occupations, pharmacy technicians, nurse aides/orderlies and early childhood educators/assistants by specific NOC.
Entrepreneur thresholds
Published minimum net worth is $600,000, or $400,000 outside Halifax Regional Municipality; investment is $150,000, or $100,000 outside HRM; CLB 5 and active management apply.
Future fee change
Officially announced fees take effect September 1, 2026: $1,000 for worker streams and $2,000 for entrepreneur streams. Verify effective-date instructions before payment.
NOC is the gatekeeper for priority and stream criteria.
Use duties to select the five-digit NOC, then check whether that exact code is in a construction, graduate or other published occupation list and which TEER threshold applies.
Permanent offer
Most worker criteria require a full-time, year-round offer with no predetermined end date and at least 30 hours per week.
TEER 4–5
Additional employer work history or lower language thresholds may apply, but TEER 5 is not currently prioritized.
Occupation lists
Lists can be opened, narrowed or replaced. Save the official list and date used for the application.
Professional licence
Healthcare, trades and other regulated roles require provincial licensing separate from immigration eligibility.
Why there is no NSNP score calculator
Nova Scotia does not publish a universal numerical EOI grid. It selects from EOIs using program priorities, allocation, volume and integrity considerations. A points result would therefore be invented and could mislead a candidate whose NOC or criteria are not being selected.
A calculator should be published only when an official, current numerical grid can be mapped safely to today's pathways.
Build the file around the current stream and criteria
- 01
Choose one of the four streams
Ignore obsolete pre-consolidation labels unless the province tells an existing applicant otherwise.
- 02
Confirm the precise criteria
Identify General Worker, Critical Construction, Graduate, NS Experience, Entrepreneur or another current subcriteria.
- 03
Match NOC, TEER and licence
Test duties, job permanence, wage, language, education and regulatory approval.
- 04
Submit an EOI when accepted
Selection is discretionary and capacity-based; keep information current.
- 05
Apply after invitation
Provide the full employer, work, education, language, status and settlement evidence on time.
- 06
Proceed to IRCC
Use the nomination certificate and correct federal process while maintaining intent to reside in Nova Scotia.
Official sources
Use the consolidated 2026 NSNP pages—not an obsolete stream list.
This guide is general information. Nova Scotia may change occupation lists, criteria, EOI selection, allocation, fees and documents; the current official stream guide and invitation control.