Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration
The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to settle in Nova Scotia. To apply, they must open a new business or purchase an existing one and actively engage in the day-to-day management.
All applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to start their process.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration
The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration is created for experienced business owners and senior business managers to settle in Nova Scotia and run a business for one year before applying for their Canadian PR status. Applicants must permanently reside in the province and commit to having a managerial role in the new business.
Successful candidates under this PNP entrepreneur program must operate a business in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit for at least one year before applying for a provincial nomination. Nova Scotia is connected to the sea, and is highly recognized for its natural beauty and cuisine. Halifax, Its capital city, is known for its lifestyle, culture and arts.
Application process for Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration
Indicate your interest in operating a business and residing in Nova Scotia by completing an Expression of Interest (EOI) . In this survey, candidates have to give information about their business ownership or management experience, language, education, investment, net worth, age, adaptability, and business.
Candidates will receive points according to their profile, be assigned a score and added to the EOI pool.
Only high score applicants will receive an invitation to submit a formal application to the Nova Scotia PNP Entrepreneur Immigration program.
Complete applications consist on:
- A complete application form.
- All supporting documentation.
- Business Establishment Plan.
- A Net Worth Verification Report
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted to go on an in-person interview with an official of the NSOI. All interviews will take place in Nova Scotia and successful applicants will receive a Business Performance Agreement to review and sign.
The Nova Scotia Office of immigration will send an Entrepreneur Approval Letter and instructions on how to apply to IRCC for a work permit upon receipt of the Business Performance Agreement.
After moving to Nova Scotia, applicants are expected to start operating their business within six months of arriving in the province on a work permit. Also, approved applicants must attend an arrival meeting with an NSOI officer within 60 days of their arrival date.
Candidates are required to bring a signed Arrival Report to the meeting.
Once an applicant satisfies the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, operating the business continuously for a minimum of one year, and submitting a Business Establishment Progress Report, can apply to be nominated for Canadian PR by the province of Nova Scotia under the NSNP.
Applicants with a PNP nomination will guarantee an additional 600 CSR points for their Canadian Permanent Residence application.
Upon nomination, the applicant and family members can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to become Canadian permanent residents.
Eligibility criteria for Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration :
- Have a personal asset of at least CAD 600,000.
- Agree to reside in Nova Scotia.
- At least 21 years old.
- A minimum investment of CAD150,000 to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia.
- Have at least three years of experience in managing and owning a business.
- The language proficiency level of CLB 5.
- Have a Canadian high school diploma OR an equivalent foreign credential verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Have a Business Establishment Plan
- Plan to live in Nova Scotia.
- Minimum 21 years old.
- Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Nova Scotia.
Requirements for business under the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration program:
- The applicant must own at least one-third of the equity of the business.
- The applicant must provide active daily management.
- The business can not be managed from another Canadian province or territory or another country.
- The business’s primary purpose must be to earn profits through the sale of goods and /or services and create economic benefit to Nova Scotia.
- The business must have the potential to create an economic benefit to Nova Scotia.
- The business must meet the legal requirements of the community.
- The business can pay income tax on taxable income earned due to a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia.
- Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Nova Scotia.
Frequently asked questions
To immigrate under the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration program, you must have a business plan and meet all the required criteria to be a business owner in the province. You will also receive points based on your age, work experience, language ability, arranged employment in Canada and adaptability.
If you are applying under the PNP entrepreneur immigration program you don’t need a job offer. However, you need to meet other criteria to qualify as a business investor in Nova Scotia.
- Database analysts.
- Financial and investment analysts.
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists.
- Deck officers.
- Information Systems analysts and consultants.
The cost of living in Nova Scotia is relatively low, even in Halifax, its capital. Smaller cities are even cheaper, and the whole province offers a high-quality lifestyle.
It depends on each person’s profile and case. The province offers newcomers excellent benefits, and the PNP allows foreigners to live and work in Nova Scotia.
Once the applicant receives the nomination from any province of Canada, it gives an additional 600 CSR score for its PR application, which is almost a guarantee of getting Permanent residency in Canada.
