Experienced business owners and senior managers can immigrate to Nova Scotia through the entrepreneur stream. It provides them with a pathway to establish a new business or to purchase an existing business in Nova Scotia. 

Entrepreneur

The person needs to have a net worth of at least $600,000, have at least three years of experience as a business owner or senior manager, invest at least $150,000 and create at least one full time job opportunity for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

What are the basic eligibility criterias for this stream?

• The person should be aged 21 or older.
• Within the last 10 years the person needs to have at least three years of experience as a business owner or at least five years experience as a senior manager. The person needs to own at least 33.3% of the business.
• The person needs to have a net worth of at least $600,000.
• The person should have at least Canadian high school certificate or equivalent.
• The person needs to invest at least $150,000 to establish a new business or to purchase/improve an existing business in Nova Scotia.  The person needs to own at least 33.3% of the business.
• Obtain a minimum CLB 5 in either English or French.
• Create a Business Establishment Plan.

What are the steps to apply for this stream?

• The candidate needs to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form online. The candidate would be submitting his details and the system would then assign him points. Then they would be added to a pool of candidates. A candidate can remain in the pool for upto one year from the date of submission of EOI.
• Candidates who are invited to apply by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) are then required to submit their whole application.
• They have 90 days from the date of issuance of ITA letter to submit their complete application forms, all supporting documents and a Business Establishment Plan.
• They have 180 days from the date of issuance of ITA letter to submit their Net Worth Verification Report prepared by one of the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration’s (NSOI) designated Net Worth Verifiers.
• After the application is approved, the candidate will be called to Nova Scotia for an in-person interview. If the interview is successful then the applicant would be given a Business Performance Agreement that they need to sign.
• After that NSOI will issue an Entrepreneur Approval Letter so that the candidate can apply for a work permit.
• Candidates can then come to Nova Scotia and establish their business here. They need to meet an officer at NSOI within 60 days of their arrival.
• When the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement are met then the candidate will get nomination from the province.
• The candidate can now apply for Permanent Residence after getting nominated.

SAM Law is a specialized firm in business immigration. We can help you navigate through the process of immigrating and establishing your business in Canada. Please give us a call for further details.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

If you studied at and graduated from a higher institution in Nova Scotia, and are interested in running your own business, you may be nominated for permanent resident status and invited to apply to the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. 

To apply you must have among other requirements: 

• want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
• have graduated from a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College;
• have a valid post-graduation work permit;
• have a CLB score of at least 7 in English or French;
• complete an online Expression of Interest profile;
• receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

 

For help with applying for the Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, please contact SAM LAW and we will be glad to assist you.