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Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program

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

Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceNo
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 5
Level of EducationNo minimum
Work Experience3 years business ownership or 5 years senior business management
Investment RequirementInvestment: $150,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth: $600,000 CAD

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.

Draw date Number of invitations Score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
February 5, 2020 27 115
November 12, 2019 20 118
September 6, 2019 46 113
June 24, 2019 43 110
May 17, 2019 27 112
April 4, 2019 27 112
February 19, 2019 22 112
January 7, 2019 33 112
November 14, 2018 30 112
October 9, 2018 44 109
September 20, 2018 43 109
August 7, 2018 32 116
June 26, 2018 22 120
May 21, 2018 18 123
March 27, 2018 22 108
February 20, 2018 22 100
January 16, 2018 27 91
December 19, 2017 27 91
November 15, 2017 24 91
October 10, 2017 12 97
September 15, 2017 28 91
August 9, 2017 25 94
July 11, 2017 20 97
June 13, 2017 30 95
May 9, 2017 35 98
March 7, 2017 26 100
January 18, 2017 28 90
December 22, 2016 36 97
November 18, 2016 35 104
October 3, 2016 9 110
August 11, 2016 12 111
June 28, 2016 8 115
April 21, 2016 11 108
March 31, 2016 8 113
March 10, 2016 8 117
February 19, 2016 6 122

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

Express Entry ProfileNo
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyCLB 7
Level of EducationPost-secondary
2 years
Work ExperienceBusiness ownership and management In Nova Scotia
1 year
Investment RequirementNone

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Points System

Selection factorPoints
Language35
Education25
Work experience15
Adaptability10
Age10
Economic Priorities5

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Points System

Selection factorPoints
Language35
Education25
Work experience15
Adaptability10
Age10
Economic Priorities5

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur ITA draw

Draw date Number of invitations Score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
February 5, 2020 1 67
September 6, 2019 1 54
June 24, 2019 1 74
January 7, 2019 1 54
November 14, 2018 1 68
September 20, 2018 1 47
August 7, 2018 1 47
June 21, 2018 1 56
May 21, 2018 2 60
March 27, 2018 1 67

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