Nova Scotia Immigration & Settlement Guide

Overview of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is an Atlantic Canadian province whose largest urban centre and capital is Halifax. The province's economy includes health care, education, public administration, ocean industries, shipbuilding and defence, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, financial and professional services, and a growing technology sector. Halifax is the principal economic and population centre, while Sydney, Truro, New Glasgow, Kentville and other communities support regional economies. Nova Scotia is also home to 10 universities and 13 Nova Scotia Community College campuses.

Provincial Nominee Program & Express Entry

Nova Scotia operates a Provincial Nominee Program. Its individual streams have their own eligibility requirements, intake rules and nomination criteria. Some streams are linked to Express Entry and some use a separate, non-Express-Entry process.

Healthcare coverage in Nova Scotia

Provincial health insurance is not governed by one Canada-wide waiting-period rule. Eligibility can differ for permanent residents, citizens, work-permit holders, study-permit holders, visitors and other temporary residents.

Sales taxes and provincial tax structure

Canada uses a mix of HST and separate GST/PST or GST/QST systems. The rate that applies can also depend on the supply, place of supply and whether the product or service is taxable.

This is a general rate reference, not a calculation of the tax on a particular transaction. Product-specific exemptions, rebates, place-of-supply rules and other tax rules can change the amount payable.

Foreign driver's licence and employment rules

Settlement & Compliance Steps

1. Choose the correct NSNP streamReview Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The appropriate sub-criteria depend on your occupation, employment, education and status.
2. Submit an EOI where requiredWorker candidates generally submit an Expression of Interest first. Nova Scotia introduced a 12-month EOI validity period effective May 1, 2026.
3. Check current selection prioritiesHealthcare and skilled trades are current high priorities at TEER 0-4. Other occupations are subject to narrower selection rules depending on whether the applicant is already working in Nova Scotia and the occupation involved.
4. Pay the NSNP fee after selectionThere is no EOI submission fee. For EOIs selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026, worker streams require a $1,000 application fee and the Entrepreneur stream requires $2,000.
5. Register for health coverageSubmit the MSI registration package with proof of legal status and Nova Scotia address. Qualifying 12-month work-permit holders can generally receive coverage from their residency date, while qualifying international students generally begin coverage in the 13th month.
6. Exchange your driver's licenceNew residents generally have up to 180 days to exchange a valid foreign or out-of-province licence. The testing requirement depends on where the licence was issued.
7. Complete permanent-residence processingAfter provincial nomination, complete the federal permanent-residence process with IRCC. Provincial nomination does not itself grant permanent-resident status.

These steps come from the imported province data used by this component. They should be maintained against the relevant provincial authority whenever a legal or procedural rule changes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nova Scotia