Nova Scotia has begun sending out Notices of Curiosity (NOIs) to Specific Entry candidates who align with pressing workforce wants throughout the province, via a brand new initiative titled “Essential Vacancies.”
As of the time of this time of writing, solely two sectors have been recognized beneath this initiative, which is designed to attach candidates to employers: building and healthcare.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
Nova Scotia introduced this initiative during the last week by including a “Essential Vacancies” tab to its “Dwell in Nova Scotia” webpage.
Who’s eligible for the “essential vacancies” initiative?
Nova Scotia has acknowledged that it’s “leveraging the Specific Entry system” to determine certified expert staff for native employers unable to recruit domestically. Candidates should maintain an energetic Specific Entry profile to be thought of.
There is no such thing as a requirement to have Canadian or Nova Scotia-specific work expertise. Presently, Nova Scotia has not listed any particular healthcare occupations being focused. Below the development trades sector, types for six occupations have been uploaded:
- 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, different building trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
- 72104 – Structural metallic and platework fabricators and fitters
- 72106 – Welders and associated machine operators
- 72310 – Carpenters
- 73100 – Concrete Finishers
It is very important word that an NOI is just not an invite to use (ITA) for provincial nomination beneath the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), nor an endorsement beneath the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). It’s primarily a means for the province to attach certified overseas staff with native employers who’ve been unable to fill roles domestically.
That mentioned, candidates who obtain a job supply via this course of could also be well-positioned to pursue a federal or provincial immigration pathway. In some instances, a candidate might obtain an ITA via their Specific Entry account, as a part of this course of.
I’ve obtained a Discover of Curiosity. What’s subsequent?
Those that obtain a NOI might be requested to offer particulars about their work expertise, schooling, and {qualifications}.
So as to take action, they must submit a kind that they will entry from the Essential Vacancies webpage.
The province will then assessment all submissions and display screen candidates based mostly on the necessities of roles. Certified candidates might be shared with employers.
Employers will then contact the shortlisted candidates to schedule interviews and will lengthen a job supply to those that meet their wants.
The province has acknowledged that, in some instances, candidates might obtain an ITA of their Specific Entry account as a part of their course of. If they don’t, they could nonetheless pursue the immigration pathway that most closely fits their occupation and eligibility (provincial or federal), as a job supply in hand might present an immigration benefit.
Nova Scotia’s immigration priorities for 2026
This initiative aligns with priorities Nova Scotia introduced in April 2026 for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).
Below this framework, healthcare staff and expert tradespeople in TEER 0-4 obtain the best precedence for provincial nomination. These are the one occupational teams open to each worldwide candidates and momentary residents already dwelling and dealing within the province.
Employees in different sectors, comparable to pure and utilized sciences, schooling, and manufacturing, may be thought of for nomination, however provided that they’re already residing in Nova Scotia as momentary residents.
About Nova Scotia’s evolving immigration system
On November 28, 2025, Nova Scotia’s PNP introduced that it will be introducing an Expression of Curiosity (EOI) mannequin for consumption beneath each its provincial immigration applications.
Below the brand new mannequin, all submissions to Nova Scotia’s immigration applications — together with beforehand submitted functions — are actually handled as EOIs, and entered right into a centralized pool.
Earlier than this transformation, NSNP candidates had been in a position to submit full functions for evaluation.
As of Might 1, 2026, Nova Scotia narrowed the validity interval of EOIs to 12 months (with sure transition measured in place); beforehand, EOIs might stay within the pool indefinitely.
