What you need to know
Nova Scotia opened a one-time Nominee Program round for workers already living and working in the province.
It targets people with a work permit expiring in 2026 or earlier who had an active expression of interest (EOI) in the system on or before June 30, 2026.
Qualifying groups include key-sector workers, Nova Scotia graduates, workers based outside Halifax, certain sales and service roles, and higher-wage positions.
The province contacts selected candidates directly, so a worker cannot apply into this round on demand.
A nomination can lead to permanent residence and, in many cases, a bridging open work permit that keeps the worker employed.
What did Nova Scotia announce?
Nova Scotia opened a one-time Nominee Program round for people already living and working in the province whose work permits expire in 2026 or earlier. The province is drawing from active expressions of interest submitted on or before June 30, 2026, to help employers retain workers and address labour shortages across priority sectors.
For an employer, this is a chance to keep a trained team member rather than restart hiring. The value is knowing who on your team may qualify and moving before their status runs out.
Which workers qualify for this round?
A worker may be eligible if they had an active EOI on or before June 30, 2026, hold a permit expiring in 2026 or earlier, and fall into one qualifying group. Groups include key-sector roles, Nova Scotia graduates, workers based outside Halifax, certain sales and service roles, and higher-wage positions.
Qualifying group | What the worker needs |
Key-sector workers | A TEER 0 to 4 role in a priority sector such as health and social services, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, natural resources, transportation, or professional and scientific services |
Nova Scotia graduates | A credential from a Nova Scotia designated learning institution and a job in a TEER 0 to 5 role |
Workers outside Halifax | A job in a TEER 0 to 5 role and a home outside the Halifax Regional Municipality |
Sales and service workers | A TEER 0 to 2 sales or service role paying at least $20 per hour at the time of the EOI |
Higher-wage workers | Pay of at least $27 per hour at the time of the EOI |
Why does timing matter so much?
The province contacts selected candidates directly and may use a work permit's expiry date to decide the processing order. Workers with little time left on their permit could be handled sooner, but only when their file is accurate and complete. A missed detail can cost a worker the chance to stay.
The province contacts selected candidates directly, and a worker's permit expiry can affect processing order. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program notes that "work permit expiry may be considered as a secondary factor" in deciding which files move first. Workers with little time left could be prioritized, which is why a complete and accurate application matters. A missed detail can put a worker's chance at risk, which is where being ready early pays off.
What happens after a worker is nominated?
A provincial nomination is a step toward permanent residence, not the final approval. The worker still applies to the federal government. In many cases a nominee may apply for a bridging open work permit, which lets them keep working while that application is processed. Federal changes in June 2026 made this route faster for provincial nominees.
For an employer, this can mean no gap in a worker's status and no gap in your operations.
Keep your Nova Scotia team working
Nova Scotia has given employers a rare window to keep workers they have already trained. The round rewards accurate, on-time applications, and it closes for anyone whose file is incomplete or filed late. BorderPass pairs guided software with licensed immigration lawyers, so you can confirm who on your team may qualify and file with confidence.
Work with BorderPass: borderpass.ai/employers
FAQ
Q: Who qualifies for Nova Scotia's 2026 nominee round for expiring permits? A: A worker may be eligible if they were already living and working in Nova Scotia, held an active expression of interest on or before June 30, 2026, and have a work permit expiring in 2026 or earlier. They also need to fall into a qualifying group, such as a key-sector role, a Nova Scotia credential, a location outside Halifax, or a higher-wage job.
Q: Can a worker apply directly to this nominee round? A: No. This is a one-time round drawn from expressions of interest already in the system. The province selects candidates and contacts them directly, so a worker cannot request entry on demand. If a worker is not contacted, their existing expression of interest stays in the pool and may be considered under Nova Scotia's other published priorities.
Q: Can a nominated worker keep working while waiting for permanent residence? A: In many cases, yes. A provincial nominee who has applied for permanent residence may be able to get a bridging open work permit, which allows continued work while the federal application is processed. Federal measures introduced in June 2026 let provincial nominees qualify for this permit sooner, which helps employers avoid a gap in a worker's status.
Q: Does this round replace Nova Scotia's April priority occupations? A: No. The province confirmed this one-time round does not replace or override the priority occupations announced in April 2026. Those priorities, which focus on healthcare, skilled trades, and other critical roles, remain in effect. This round is an additional measure aimed at retaining workers already contributing to the province who are at risk of losing their status.
Q: How can BorderPass help an employer act before the deadline? A: BorderPass combines guided software with licensed immigration lawyer review, so employers can quickly confirm which team members may qualify and prepare a complete, accurate application. Because the province may process files with sooner permit expiries first, moving early can matter. BorderPass helps employers file on time and keep the workers they have trained.
