August 6, 2026
Effective September 1, 2026, Nova Scotia will introduce application fees for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).
Why Fees Are Being Introduced
Application fees will help ensure that the NSNP continues to operate efficiently and with strong program integrity by:
- Supporting effective program administration and assessment processes
- Helping ensure limited nomination spaces are allocated in support of Nova Scotia’s labour market and economic priorities
- Recovering a portion of the administrative costs associated with assessing applications
Introducing fees aligns Nova Scotia with most jurisdictions across Canada.
When Fees Apply
Fees will only be charged once a candidate has been selected from the expression of interest (EOI) pool for assessment.
- There is no fee to submit an EOI.
- Any EOIs selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026 are subject to the application fee, regardless of when the EOI was submitted.
- Candidates who received their selection letter before September 1, 2026 will not be required to pay the fee.
This change does not affect the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The AIP will continue to operate without a provincial application fee, consistent with other Atlantic provinces.
Application Fee Amount
Effective September 1, 2026, the following application fees apply:
- $1,000 for the NSNP worker streams (Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Nova Scotia: Express Entry)
- $2,000 for the NSNP entrepreneur stream
Payment Requirements
- Application fees are non-refundable except where required by law or when an administrative error has occurred.
- Application fees deadline:
- Worker streams (Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, and Nova Scotia Graduate): The application fee must be paid within 7 calendar days of receiving notification that your EOI has been selected for assessment.
- Entrepreneur stream:
- Entrepreneur stream – candidates starting a new business: The application fee must be paid within 90 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Entrepreneur stream – candidates purchasing an existing business: The application fee must be paid within 180 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Entrepreneur stream – International Graduates: The application fee must be paid within 90 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Worker streams (Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, and Nova Scotia Graduate): The application fee must be paid within 7 calendar days of receiving notification that your EOI has been selected for assessment.
- Failure to provide proof of payment within the specified timeline will result in the closure of the EOI and the submission will not proceed to assessment. Candidates may submit a new EOI if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Supporting a Stronger Immigration System
Nova Scotia remains committed to attracting and retaining newcomers who intend to settle, work, and build their lives in the province, while continuing to strengthen and modernize its immigration programs.
NSNP Application Fees - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are fees being introduced now?
Demand for nominations continues to exceed Nova Scotia’s annual federal allocation. Introducing an application fee will help support the sustainability and effective administration of the program and aligns Nova Scotia with most other provincial immigration programs.
Q: When do the fees take effect?
The fees take effect on September 1, 2026.
Q: Who will need to pay the fee?
NSNP Candidates whose Expression of Interest (EOI) is selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026 will need to pay the applicable fee, regardless of EOI submission date. There is no fee to submit an EOI.
Candidates who received their selection letter before September 1, 2026 are not required to pay the fee.
Q: At what stage in the process should I pay the fee?
If your EOI is selected for assessment, you will receive instructions by email on how to pay the application fee. There is no fee associated with submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Q: Is the fee refundable?
Application fees are non-refundable.
Q: How much is the fee?
The application fee depends on the stream you are selected for assessment under:
- $1,000 for worker streams: Nova Scotia: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia: Graduate, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry.
- $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream.
Q: Does having dependents affect the fee amount?
No, dependents do not affect the fee. The fee is charged per principal applicant and does not change based on the number of dependents included in the application.
Q: How can I make the payment? What methods are accepted?
We accept the following methods of payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express.
Payment must be made online, in a single payment.
If your EOI is selected for assessment, you will receive instructions on how to pay the application fee.
Q: How much time will I have to submit the payment once I am invited?
- Worker streams (Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry, and Nova Scotia Graduate): The application fee must be paid within 7 calendar days of receiving notification that your EOI has been selected for assessment.
- Entrepreneur stream:
- Entrepreneur stream – candidates starting a new business: The application fee must be paid within 90 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Entrepreneur stream – candidates purchasing an existing business: The application fee must be paid within 180 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Entrepreneur stream – International Graduates: The application fee must be paid within 90 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
Applications that remain unpaid after the deadline will not be processed.
Q: Will there be exemptions or fee waivers?
No. The application fee applies to all NSNP streams and all applicants selected for assessment. Fee waivers and exemptions are not available.
Q: Once I have paid, what happens next?
If you have submitted all required documents and paid the fees within the timeframe provided, your submission will proceed to assessment. Once the assessment is complete, you will receive a decision on your submission.
Q: Will I receive a confirmation or receipt relating to my payment of the application fee?
Yes, you will receive a receipt by email. Keep this proof of payment as you will be required to submit the proof of payment to us. A screenshot of the confirmation page will not be accepted as proof of payment.
Q: Once I have paid the fee, am I guaranteed to be nominated?
No. Paying the application fee does not increase the likelihood of selection, assessment outcome, or nomination.
Q: Does paying the fee result in faster processing?
No. Payment of the application fee does not impact processing times. All submissions are processed based on program priorities and operational capacity.
Q: If I reapply, do I need to pay the fee again?
Application fees are non‑refundable. If you choose to submit a new Expression of Interest (EOI) and are selected again for the NSNP, you will be required to pay the application fee again.
Q: Can I pre-pay the fee while I wait to be selected?
No. You can only pay the fee if your EOI submission is selected for assessment.
Q: Can I pay the fee in installments?
No. The fee must be paid in the full amount if your EOI is selected for assessment.
Q: Can I pay the fee with different credit cards (e.g. $500 on one card, $500 on another)?
No. The fee must be paid in full using a single payment method.
Q. What happens if my payment is decline?
A successful payment is required before your application can be accepted for assessment. If your payment is declined, your application will be considered incomplete and assessment will not begin until payment is received within the timeline provided. Applications that remain unpaid after the deadline will not be processed.