The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) has announced a one-time expansion of its provincial nomination selection criteria to help retain temporary foreign workers whose work permits are expiring or have already expired.
The province aims to retain skilled workers who are contributing to the local economy while addressing ongoing labour market needs within its available immigration allocation.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered under this one-time initiative, candidates must:
- Have submitted an active Expression of Interest (EOI) on or before June 30, 2026.
- Have a work permit expiring in 2026 or earlier.
- Meet at least one of the following criteria:
Eligible Categories
- Be employed in a TEER 0–4 occupation within one of Nova Scotia’s key sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Health and Social Services
- Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Professional and Scientific Services
- Transportation
- Be a graduate of a Nova Scotia post-secondary institution and employed in any occupation.
- Live outside the Halifax Regional Municipality and work in any occupation.
- Work in a TEER 0–2 Sales and Service occupation while earning at least CAD $20 per hour at the time the EOI was submitted.
- Work in any occupation in Nova Scotia while earning at least CAD $27 per hourat the time of EOI submission.
Selection Process
Eligible candidates do not need to submit a new application. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program will identify eligible candidates directly from the existing EOI pool and contact those selected to submit a provincial nomination application.
The province also noted that work permit expiry may be considered as a secondary factorwhen determining the order in which selected applications are processed, giving priority to workers who may soon lose their legal status in Canada.
Existing Priority Occupations Remain in Effect
- Healthcare
- Skilled Trades
- Other critical occupations identified under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program
The expanded selection is intended to make use of remaining nomination spaces while helping retain workers already contributing to Nova Scotia’s economy.
Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence
Workers selected through the NSNP must still complete the standard permanent residence process. The general steps include:
- Meet the eligibility requirements of an NSNP immigration stream.
- Submit an Expression of Interest.
- Receive an invitation from the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
- Submit a complete provincial nomination application.
- Receive a provincial nomination certificate.
- Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Applicants must also satisfy all federal admissibility requirements, including security, criminality, and medical assessments.
Bridging Open Work Permit Support
The announcement is especially important for workers whose temporary status may soon expire.
Earlier in June 2026, the federal government introduced measures allowing many provincial nominees to qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) earlier in the immigration process. A BOWP allows eligible applicants to continue working in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed. This initiative may help more Nova Scotia workers maintain legal status and continue contributing to the provincial workforce while awaiting permanent residence decisions.
What This Means for Applicants
Nova Scotia’s expanded nomination initiative provides an important opportunity for temporary foreign workers already established in the province. If you submitted an Expression of Interest before June 30, 2026, have a work permit expiring this year, and meet one of the province’s expanded eligibility criteria, you may be considered automatically under this one-time selection.
Candidates who are not selected through this initiative will remain in the EOI pool and may still be considered under Nova Scotia’s existing immigration priorities in future selection rounds.
Start Your Canada Immigration Journey Today!
Whether you are interested in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Express Entry, Work Permits, Study Permits, Family Sponsorship, Business Immigration, or Canadian Permanent Residence, Canada Immigration Global is here to guide you through every step of your immigration journey.
Our experienced immigration professionals provide personalized eligibility assessments, document guidance, and end-to-end application support to help you navigate Canada’s immigration system with confidence.
Need help with your Canada immigration application?
Request an Immigration Assessment today.
Call / Whats App : +1 639 307 3007
Email: info@canada-immigration.global
Website: www.canada-immigration.global
Canada Immigration Global — Your Trusted Partner for Canadian Immigration Success.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures may change without notice. Readers should consult official Government of Canada resources or seek professional immigration advice before making any immigration decisions.
