Starting September 1, 2026, Nova Scotia will charge non-refundable application fees under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program: $1,000 for worker streams and $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream. Submitting an Expression of Interest stays free. Fees apply only once a candidate is selected for assessment, with payment windows ranging from seven days to six months depending on the stream.
Nova Scotia is introducing application fees for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) for the first time. Until now, candidates could move through the Expression of Interest pool, get selected for assessment, and apply for a provincial nomination without paying a provincial fee. From September 1, 2026 onward, that changes for most streams. The shift doesn’t touch the Expression of Interest stage itself. Submitting an EOI, and staying in the pool while you wait to be ranked, remains free of charge. The fee only becomes relevant once your profile is actually pulled for assessment.
Why is Nova Scotia Introducing These Fees?
Nova Scotia’s federal nomination allocation hasn’t kept pace with candidate demand, and the province says fees will help fund proper administration and assessment of the growing volume of applications it receives each year. Part of the rationale is also about consistency: most other provinces already charge an application fee for their nominee programs, so Nova Scotia’s move brings it in line with the rest of the country rather than setting it apart.
In practical terms, this means the province is treating the fee as a cost-recovery and capacity tool, not as a way to change who qualifies. Eligibility criteria for the NSNP streams themselves are not changing alongside the fee.
How Much Will You Actually Pay?
The fee amount depends on which stream your EOI is selected under:
- $1,000 for worker streams: Nova Scotia Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, and Nova Scotia Express Entry
- $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream
The fee is charged per principal applicant, so it doesn’t increase if you’re including a spouse or dependent children on the same application. Payment has to be made online, in a single transaction, using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express — partial payments or split cards aren’t accepted.
Source: Nova Scotia PNP Fees Update
When Do You Have to Pay, and What If You Miss the Deadline?
Once your EOI is selected for assessment, you’ll receive payment instructions by email, and the clock starts immediately. Worker-stream candidates have seven calendar days to pay. Entrepreneur-stream candidates get considerably longer: ninety days if starting a new business or arriving as an international graduate, and up to 180 days if purchasing an existing business.
Miss the window and your submission simply won’t move forward to assessment, though you’re free to submit a fresh Expression of Interest later if you still meet the eligibility requirements. Fees are non-refundable once paid, and there are no waivers or exemptions built into the new structure.
Does This Affect the Atlantic Immigration Program?
No. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will keep operating without a provincial application fee, consistent with how the other Atlantic provinces run it. If your immigration pathway runs through the AIP rather than the NSNP, this change doesn’t apply to your file at all.
What Should NSNP Candidates Do Before September 1?
If you already hold a selection letter issued before September 1, 2026, you’re in the clear; the new fee won’t apply to your application. If you’re still waiting in the EOI pool, it’s worth budgeting for the fee now so it isn’t a surprise later, and making sure your supporting documents are ready so you can pay and submit within the deadline the moment you’re selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no fee to submit or maintain an EOI in the pool. The fee only applies once your EOI is selected for assessment.
Any candidate whose EOI is selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026, regardless of when they originally submitted it. Candidates who received a selection letter before that date are exempt.
No. The fee is charged per principal applicant and does not increase based on how many dependents are included in the application.
No. Pre-payment isn’t possible. You can only pay once your EOI has actually been selected for assessment and you’ve received payment instructions.
No. The fee doesn’t influence assessment outcomes, nomination decisions, or processing speed. All files are still assessed on their merits and existing operational priorities.
Your application is treated as incomplete until a successful payment is received. If the deadline passes before payment goes through, the file won’t proceed to assessment.
Yes. Fees are non-refundable, so if you submit a new EOI in the future and are selected again, the applicable fee applies again.
Planning to apply through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program before or after the fee change? Book a consultation with ImmigCanada’s team.