Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians: 2026 Status

Labour Market Priorities for Physicians was a Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) stream that helped Nova Scotia's two public health employers, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the IWK Health Centre, bring in doctors through the federal Express Entry system. It worked like the general Labour Market Priorities stream: candidates could apply only after the province sent a Letter of Interest to their Express Entry account. A nomination adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score.

On February 18, 2026, Nova Scotia replaced its ten Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) streams with four: Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry. The Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream no longer exists as a separate stream. Its eligibility requirements now sit under the physician sub-criteria of the Nova Scotia: Express Entry stream.

The province says the new streams include sub-criteria that mirror the requirements of the old streams, and that the consolidation "does not affect your eligibility." In practice, that means:

• If you qualified for the Labour Market Priorities for Physicians stream before, you should qualify under the new stream, as long as you still meet every requirement on the day you submit.
• The changes apply only to new expressions of interest (EOIs) submitted after February 18, 2026.
• EOIs already in the pool on that date remain active, and you do not need to do anything.
• The NSNP application portal was closed from February 13 to 18, 2026 while forms were updated.

General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) and specialist physicians (NOC 31100 and 31101) receive a Letter of Interest once the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is told their Express Entry profile number and has a signed approved opportunity from the NSHA or the IWK. To be eligible you must:

• have an approved opportunity from the NSHA or the IWK in one of those three NOC codes
• provide a signed Return for Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, committing to live and work in Nova Scotia for at least two years
• receive a Letter of Interest from the NSNP in the Express Entry system
• submit your expression of interest (EOI) within 30 calendar days of the date the letter was issued
• meet the minimum work experience rules of the federal Express Entry program you qualify for
• show enough money to settle yourself and your family and to pay immigration and travel costs
• have legal status in your current country of residence

You also need a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia to practice. Start that process early; the NSHA or IWK recruiter can explain the licensing route for your training.

Two other 2026 changes affect everyone in the NSNP pool, including people who applied under old stream names:

A closed or expired EOI is not a refusal. You can submit a new EOI at any time if you still meet the requirements. Selection is based on provincial priorities, not on the order EOIs arrive.

1. In the Express Entry pool with an approved NSHA or IWK offer? Follow the physician route of Nova Scotia: Express Entry.
2. Not in Express Entry? The Skilled Worker stream has its own physician sub-criteria (the former Physician Stream).
3. Watch federal draws. Canada added a category for physicians with Canadian experience in 2026, and healthcare draws continue.
4. Employers can review hiring health workers from abroad.