How to Find Permanent-Residency-Eligible Jobs in Nova Scotia (AIP & NS PNP)
Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s hottest provinces for PR-aligned hiring—especially in healthcare, construction, and skilled trades. The province has now moved to an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), which means invitations are increasingly targeted to occupations that match real economic needs. On the Atlantic side, Nova Scotia continues to dominate the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) employer network and job postings.
Here’s what that looks like on the ground. There are over 2,700 AIP-designated companies in Nova Scotia. Inside QuestJobs, we’ve identified roughly 3,000 Nova Scotia jobs that may be PR-eligible across AIP and NSNP streams. Of the 1,300 active AIP jobs we’re tracking nationwide, about half are in Nova Scotia. Within NSNP, QuestJobs has mapped 300 companies that may be eligible under Nova Scotia Critical Construction, 670 companies that may be eligible under Nova Scotia Skilled Worker, and 300 companies that may be eligible under Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand.
If your goal is PR, the fastest path is to target the right stream, the right employer, and the right NOC—in that order. Below is a guide to where to look and how to qualify.
Where to Look First (and Why)
Nova Scotia’s EOI model pushes selection toward sectors with the biggest shortages. Right now that’s healthcare, construction, and trades. In QuestJobs, filter by Pathway → AIP or the NSNP stream you’re targeting. In the portal there are the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker Stream, Nova Scotia Critical Construction and the Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand. Because we surface only PR-aligned roles and cross-check companies against up-to-date program rules, you avoid wasting time on postings that can’t support your immigration plan.
The Programs You’ll Use (and their core rules)
1) Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — Nova Scotia
AIP is an employer-driven PR program for the Atlantic provinces. Your first milestone is a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an AIP-designated employer in Nova Scotia.
Typical AIP requirements (high level):
Employer: Must be AIP-designated and provide an Endorsement after a genuine hire.
Job offer: Full-time, non-seasonal, meets provincial wage benchmarks for the NOC/region.
You: Recent relevant work experience or recent graduation from a recognized Atlantic institution (stream-dependent), language test (often CLB 4+), education consistent with the role, and a settlement plan.
Why AIP works in NS: The employer network is deep (2,700+ designated companies), and Nova Scotia generates a large share of Atlantic postings—meaning more real opportunities and faster employer familiarity with the process.
Find AIP Nova Scotia jobs here.
2) Nova Scotia Critical Construction (NSNP)
This stream targets priority construction occupations and is ideal if you’re in trades or site-based roles.
Typical requirements (high level):
Employer: Nova Scotia employer with a genuine, full-time, non-seasonal offer in a listed construction occupation; compliant and in good standing.
You: Relevant work experience and credentials (trade tickets where applicable), language (commonly CLB 4+), and intent to live/work in Nova Scotia.
EOI: You create a profile and may receive an invitation based on sector demand, your occupation, experience, and other factors.
QuestJobs coverage: 300 unique companies we’ve identified that may be eligible sponsors under this pathway—use the pathway filter to zero in.
Find Nova Scotia Critical Construction jobs here.
3) Nova Scotia Skilled Worker (NSNP)
This is the broad work-experience stream tied to a valid, full-time job offer from an eligible NS employer. It suits candidates in TEER 0–4 roles with employer backing.
Typical requirements (high level):
Employer: Active, compliant NS employer; full-time, permanent offer at a competitive wage.
You: Relevant work experience, education/credentials, language (CLB levels vary by TEER), and clear intent to settle in NS.
EOI: Profiles are ranked and invitations prioritize in-demand occupations and employer needs.
QuestJobs coverage: 670 unique companies that we’ve mapped as potentially eligible to sponsor under Skilled Worker.
Find Nova Scotia Skilled Worker jobs here.
4) Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand (NSNP)
This stream targets a specific list of high-need occupations (often TEER 3–5). It’s powerful for candidates in support roles that are consistently short-staffed.
Typical requirements (high level):
Employer: Genuine, full-time, non-seasonal offer in an eligible in-demand occupation; employer in good standing.
You: Relevant experience, education, language (often CLB 4+), and settlement intent in Nova Scotia.
EOI: Invitations are issued to candidates who line up neatly with the published in-demand roles.
QuestJobs coverage: 300 unique companies we’ve mapped as potentially eligible under Occupations in Demand.
Find Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand jobs here.
How the EOI System Changes Your Strategy
With EOI now in place for NSNP, invitations are not first-come, first-served. They’re priority-driven. That means two things:
Occupational fit matters more than ever. You’ll want your résumé to mirror the NOC 2021 duties for your target role and match current priority lists (construction/trades, healthcare, and aligned support roles are hot).
Employer selection is strategic. Apply to employers who post frequently in your NOC and have a track record with nominations or AIP endorsements; they understand paperwork, wages, and timelines.
A Practical Playbook (step-by-step)
Pick your pathway first. Decide if your profile is strongest for AIP, Critical Construction, Skilled Worker, or Occupations in Demand.
Filter precisely. In QuestJobs, choose the Pathway filter. You’ll see roles from companies we’ve already vetted against program rules.
NOC-faithful résumé. Align your CV with the exact duties/tools for your target NOC; remove noise, add proof.
Ask the sponsor question—professionally. Once shortlisted or offered, confirm whether the employer is AIP-designated (for AIP) or open to supporting NSNP nomination (for the relevant stream).
Line up proofs early. Language test, education assessment (if needed), trade tickets, letters of employment—don’t wait.
Use momentum markets. Healthcare, construction, and trades are seeing the most invitations; if you fit those sectors, lean in.
Why use QuestJobs for Nova Scotia?
We aggregate the market, filter out jobs that can’t support PR, and tag every posting by pathway logic. In Nova Scotia that includes:
AIP: deep coverage of designated employers (2,700+ in NS overall; 50% of active AIP jobs we track are in NS).
Critical Construction / Skilled Worker / Occupations in Demand: company-level vetting (hundreds of mapped employers per stream) so you can focus on those most likely to sponsor.
Create a free trial, upload your CV for CV Analyzer and Job Matching, and start with Nova Scotia + your target stream. You’ll get a cleaner shortlist—and a clearer line from job → invitation → PR.