Nova Scotia Starts Sending NOIs to Express Entry Candidates for Critical Job Vacancies

Nova Scotia has started sending Notices of Interest to selected Express Entry candidates through a new Critical Vacancies initiative. The goal is to connect qualified skilled workers with Nova Scotia employers who are facing labour shortages and are unable to fill certain positions locally.

As of now, the initiative appears to focus mainly on two priority sectors: healthcare and construction trades. The province has added a dedicated Critical Vacancies page to its official Live in Nova Scotia website for candidates who receive a Notice of Interest in their Express Entry account.

What Is Nova Scotia’s Critical Vacancies Initiative?

The Critical Vacancies initiative is a way for Nova Scotia to identify skilled foreign workers from the federal Express Entry pool and connect them with employers who have urgent hiring needs.

This is not the same as receiving a provincial nomination. It is also not the same as receiving an endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Nova Scotia clearly states that this initiative is not an invitation to apply for provincial nomination under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program and is not an endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program. However, if a candidate is successfully matched with an employer and receives a job offer, they may be able to use that job offer to pursue a suitable federal or provincial immigration pathway.

Who May Be Eligible?

To be considered under this initiative, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile. Nova Scotia is using the Express Entry system to identify potential candidates whose skills and experience match active labour market vacancies in the province.

At this stage, Nova Scotia has listed active vacancy forms for healthcare and construction trades. For construction trades, the listed occupations include:

1. 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
2. 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
3. 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
4. 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
5. 72310 – Carpenters
6. 73100 – Concrete finishers
   
   

These occupations are listed on Nova Scotia’s official Critical Vacancies page.

Is Canadian or Nova Scotia Work Experience Required?

Based on the information currently available, Nova Scotia has not stated that candidates must already have Canadian work experience or Nova Scotia work experience to receive a Notice of Interest under this initiative.

However, candidates must still meet the requirements of the role and the applicable immigration pathway. They may also need to show their education, work experience, qualifications, language ability, and other relevant details when submitting information to Nova Scotia.

What Happens After Receiving a Notice of Interest?

If a candidate receives a Notice of Interest from Nova Scotia, they should review the Critical Vacancies page and complete the relevant form based on their primary occupation.

The candidate will be asked to provide details about their:

1. Work experience
2. Education
3. Professional qualifications
4. Skills related to the available vacancy
   
   

Nova Scotia will then review the submissions and screen candidates based on the requirements of the available roles. Qualified candidates may be shared directly with employers. Employers may then contact shortlisted candidates for interviews and may offer a job to candidates who meet their hiring needs.

Does an NOI Guarantee a Job Offer or PR?

No. Receiving a Notice of Interest does not guarantee a job offer, provincial nomination, Atlantic Immigration Program endorsement, or permanent residence.

The NOI is mainly a first step that allows Nova Scotia to identify and screen suitable Express Entry candidates for critical labour market vacancies.

If a candidate receives a job offer through this process, they may be in a stronger position to pursue an immigration pathway. Depending on the situation, this may include a federal pathway, a provincial nomination pathway, or another suitable immigration option.

Nova Scotia has also stated that some candidates may receive an Invitation to Apply in their Express Entry account as part of this process.

Why Is Nova Scotia Focusing on Healthcare and Construction?

This initiative matches Nova Scotia’s broader immigration priorities for 2026.

Nova Scotia has stated that healthcare and skilled trades occupations at TEER levels 0 to 4 are a top priority for provincial nomination. These occupations may be considered for both international applicants and temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia.

This means the province is giving strong attention to workers who can help address labour shortages in essential sectors such as healthcare and skilled trades.

What About Other Occupations?

Nova Scotia may still consider some other occupations, but the rules are more limited.

For other priority occupations, Nova Scotia may consider nominations for temporary residents who are already living and working in the province. These include occupations in:

1. Natural and applied sciences
2. Education, law, social, community and government services
3. Natural resources, agriculture and related production
4. Manufacturing and utilities
   
   

These occupations must generally be at TEER levels 0 to 4, and TEER 5 occupations are not being prioritized at this time.

For occupations outside the priority groups, Nova Scotia has indicated that nominations are currently limited to TEER 0, 1, and 2 occupations, and only for temporary residents already living and working in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia’s Immigration System Is Also Changing

Nova Scotia has been changing the way it manages immigration applications.

The province has moved toward an Expression of Interest model for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. Under this system, candidates submit an EOI and may be selected if their profile matches the province’s labour market needs and program priorities. Nova Scotia’s official NSNP page states that the province formalized the EOI process to stay responsive to labour market needs and support long-term community growth.

Nova Scotia has also introduced a 12-month validity period for EOIs, effective May 1, 2026. This means EOIs will not remain active indefinitely, and transition measures apply to EOIs already in the pool.

Why This Update Matters for Express Entry Candidates

This update is important because it gives some Express Entry candidates another way to be noticed by a province and potentially connect with employers in Canada.

For candidates in healthcare or construction trades, especially those with strong experience and qualifications, this could create an opportunity to secure a job offer in Nova Scotia.

However, candidates should understand that an NOI is only an initial step. It does not automatically lead to permanent residence. The candidate must still meet employer requirements, immigration program requirements, and all federal admissibility rules.