Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program

This Entrepreneur stream is one of the streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), launched by the province of Nova Scotia. This stream is designed to target experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream aims to attract individuals who wish to start or buy, and actively manage, a business in Nova Scotia. The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream provides an immigration opportunity for students who have graduated from a Nova Scotia university or community college and have started their own business.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur requirements

1. Must have a minimum $600,000 CAD in Net Business and Personal Assets
2. Must have a minimum of three years of business ownership experience including 33.33% ownership; or
3. Must has minimum 3 years of experience in a senior business manager role in the last 10 years
4. Minimum capital investment of $150,000 CAD in Nova Scotia
5. Must have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French
6. Must have Excellent Business Plan.
7. The business should be a for profit.
8. The business has to create an economic benefit to Nova Scotia
9. Must Provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Point System

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Ranking System

Nova Scotia PNP Business process step-by-step process

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Applicant need to show an Expression of Interest to start and establish a business in the province of Nova Scotia. The applicants have to provide information like business ownership or management experience, adaptability, investment, net worth etc. Candidates are given points on the basis of points matrix system. Then they are assigned a score and added to the EOI pool. Candidates can update their profile in the EOI pool if they want to make any changes to boost the score.

Step2 – Receive an Invitation to Apply: The candidates whose EOI gets approved shall be notified by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) gets an invite to submit an Invitation to Apply (ITA) letter. These applications then further undergo an assessment by the NSOI. The complete application along with all supporting documents, a business plan has to be sent within 90 days of receiving an ITA. The net worth assessment report needs to be submitted within 180 days of receiving the ITA.

Step3 – Performance Agreement: The candidates have to face an in-person interview with an NSOI officer. The interview may take place in Nova Scotia within 60 days of the candidate being notified about the interview. If the candidate performs successfully in the interview, they sign a Business Performance Interview that states the investment to be made, the operational plan of the business, and other relevant information. An Entrepreneur Approval Letter is then issued which enables the candidate to apply to IRCC for a Temporary Work Permit within 2 months of the date of the Entrepreneur Approval Letter.

Step4 – Business Establishment: Once the candidate receives a Work Permit, they can enter Canada along with their family and start running the business. The applicants are required to do so within one year of receiving the Approval Letter. The applicant should also start operating their business in Nova Scotia within six months of arriving. Once you reach in Canada, the applicant must attend an arrival meeting with NSOI within 60 days of arrival. The NSOI officer will provide the applicant with further guidance and information related to the terms of the Performance Agreement.

Step5 – Apply for Nomination: Once the applicant successfully fulfils the terms of the Business Performance Agreement and submits a Business Establishment Progress Report to NSOI, he/she can then apply to be nominated by the province of Nova Scotia under the NSNP by submitting a Nomination Request Form. The Nomination Request Form includes information like a Special Purpose Report and an audit opinion, both of which should be provided by a designated Audit Service Verifier. The applicant then receives a letter from NSOI regarding the confirmation of Nomination. After the candidate receives proof of nomination, the application will be directed to IRCC by the NSNP.

Step6 – Apply for Canada Permanent Residence: After receiving a nomination by NSNP, the applicant can apply for Canadian Permanent Resident within 6 months. If the PR application gets approved, the applicant shall receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and will receive a copy of confirmation by NSOI within 30 business days.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur – Recent Draws

Below is the information regarding recent Nova Scotia Entrepreneur draws and the historic information about issuance of invitations to apply.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

This stream is designed to target recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or Nova Scotia Community College. Applicants must have already started or bought a Nova Scotia business and operated it for at least one year.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Requirements

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur ITA draw

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