Nova Scotia begins charging $1,000 and $2,000 NSNP application fees

The fees apply after an EOI is selected

Nova Scotia's new Provincial Nominee Program application fees took effect on September 1, 2026. The province announced the change on August 6. There is still no charge to create or submit an Expression of Interest.

A fee becomes due only when an EOI is selected for assessment on or after September 1, regardless of when the EOI was submitted. Candidates who received their selection letter before September 1 are not required to pay the new fee.

$1,000 for worker streams and $2,000 for entrepreneur streams

• $1,000 for the worker streams listed by Nova Scotia as Nova Scotia: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia: Graduate and Nova Scotia: Express Entry.
• $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream.
• The amount is charged per principal applicant. Adding dependants does not increase it.
• The Atlantic Immigration Program is not affected and continues without a provincial application fee.

Payment deadlines depend on the stream

• Worker streams: within 7 calendar days after notice that the EOI was selected for assessment.
• Entrepreneur candidate starting a new business: within 90 calendar days after the invitation to apply.
• Entrepreneur candidate purchasing an existing business: within 180 calendar days after the invitation to apply.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur candidate: within 90 calendar days after the invitation to apply.

Late or missing payment closes the EOI

If proof of payment is not provided by the applicable deadline, Nova Scotia will close the EOI and will not move the submission to assessment. A candidate who remains eligible may submit a new EOI, but would have to pay again if selected again.

The fee is generally non-refundable and no fee waivers are available. Payment must be completed online in one transaction. The province says applicants must keep and submit the emailed receipt; a screenshot of the confirmation page is not accepted as proof of payment.

Paying does not improve the chance of nomination

The fee does not guarantee nomination, affect the assessment decision or produce faster processing. Candidates should wait for the province's selection notice and payment instructions rather than attempting to pay in advance.