Business Immigration
Nova Scotia
Popular business immigration programs for graduated international students and entrepreneurs in the province
Recently graduated students in Nova Scotia want to start a business and settle in the province
Age
Language
Type of investment
Active operation
Education
Post-graduation Work Permit
Business revenue
Job creation
Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest and settle in Nova Scotia
Age
Language
Type of investment
Active operation
Net worth
$400,000 if outside Halifax
Investment
$100,000 if outside Halifax
Business management experience
5 years as a senior business manager
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process.
Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government
Business Operation
Purchase, establish or invest and actively manage the business with a 1/3 ownership on a post-graduation work permit.12 months in business operation
Profile submission
Create a profile on EOI system when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months
Provincial invitation
Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit application within 90 days
Interview
Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.
Decision of Nomination
After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months
Profile submission
Create a profile on EOI system when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months
Provincial invitation
Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit application within 90 days
Interview
Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.
Investment decision
Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.Sign the agreement within 15 days
Work permit
The applicant receives a Letter of support to apply for the work permit under business investment within 2 months.Arrive in Nova Scotia within 12 months
Business establishment
Meet and submit Arrival Report to NSOI Officer within 60 days of the Arrival Date, send the final report after 12 months.12 months in business operation
Decision of Nomination
After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months
If a work permit is due to expire within 30 days, the province may issue a letter of support for the work permit extension.
An invitation to apply does not guarantee the application will be approved or the applicant will be issued the Nomination Certificate or granted permanent resident status.
Crucial elements affect the decision
Entrepreneur
International Graduate Entrepreneur
Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Work and study
Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Important requirements the applicant should note
Immigration Ineligibility
- Have an unresolved refugee application
- Are living in Canada illegally
- Are under a removal order in or outside of Canada
- Are inadmissible to Canada
- Are a passive investor (intend to invest in a business in Nova Scotia but rarely or not involved in day-to-day operations of the business)
- Are out of status, not eligible until the status has been restored
List of Ineligible Businesses
- Businesses that are conducted remotely (in other provinces or countries)
- Property rental, investment, and leasing activities
- Real estate construction/development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage Unless demonstrate that these business activities will bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- Any self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation
- Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machines
- Pawnbrokers
- Credit unions
- Home-based businesses; unless demonstrate that these business activities will bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
- Co-operatives
- Any businesses operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income
- Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of the Nova Scotia into disrepute
Basic requirements
- 21 years old or older
- Have graduated a 2-year program from a designated post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia
- Have resided in Nova Scotia during the academic program
- Demonstrate an intention to settle in Nova Scotia
- Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit at time of application to NSOI
Language
Minimum CLB 7, assessed by 1 of 5 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Pearson Test of English - Core (PTE-Core)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Investment requirements
- The proportional share of ownership must be at least 33.33%
- Have Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report assessed by an NSOI-approved designated agency (MNP, Grant Thornton or White Perkins)
- If establishing a new business, must create at least 1 full-time job or equivalent for Canadian and Permanent Resident (not including family members)
- If purchasing a business, it must have been operated by the same owner for the previous 5 years
- If purchasing a business, must keep the same terms and working conditions for current employees
Business requirements
- Own and operate a business in Nova Scotia for at least one continuous year prior to the date of EOI submission
- Receive salary from the business that meets or exceeds Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada
- Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
- Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits by selling products or providing services instead of passive investment
- Provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business
- Have the potential to bring significant economic benefits to Nova Scotia
Immigration Ineligibility
- Have an unresolved refugee application
- Are living in Canada illegally
- Are under a removal order in or outside of Canada
- Are inadmissible to Canada
- Are a passive investor (intend to invest in a business in Nova Scotia but rarely or not involved in day-to-day operations of the business)
- Are out of status, not eligible until the status has been restored
List of Ineligible Businesses
- Businesses that are conducted remotely (in other provinces or countries)
- Property rental, investment, and leasing activities
- Real estate construction/development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage Unless demonstrate that these business activities will bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- Any self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation
- Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machines
- Pawnbrokers
- Credit unions
- Home-based businesses; unless demonstrate that these business activities will bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
- Co-operatives
- Any businesses operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income
- Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of the Nova Scotia into disrepute
Basic requirements
- Net worth of at least $600,000 CAD after debt deduction assess by an NSOI-approved Net Worth Verifiers (KPMG-Toronto, MNP or Grant Thornton LLP)
- 3 years of work experience as a business owner with at least 33.33% ownership within the last 10 years, or
- 5 years of work experience as a senior business manager within the last 10 years
- Have graduated an equivalent to Canadian high-school with the education credential assessed by Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Demonstrate an intention to settle in Nova Scotia
Language
Minimum CLB 5, assessed by 1 of 5 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Pearson Test of English - Core (PTE-Core)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Investment requirements
- At least $150,000 into a business in Nova Scotia
- The proportional share of ownership must be at least 33.33%
- If establishing a new business, must create at least 1 full-time job or equivalent for Canadian and Permanent Resident (not including family members)
- If purchasing a business, it must have been operated by the same owner for the previous 5 years in Nova Scotia and not in bankruptcy
- If purchasing a business, must keep the same terms and working conditions for current employees
- If purchasing or investing in a business, must visit Nova Scotia, explore and discuss with the current business owner
- Submit and understand Business Establishment Plan, which may be assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Nova Scotia at the cost of the applicant
- Any changes in Business Establishment Plan must be requested and agreed upon by the province in writing
- Any expenses incurred prior to the mutual signing of Business Performance Agreement and issuance of work permit will not be considered as an eligible investment
Business requirements
- Have active and ongoing involvement in the day-to-day management of the business in Nova Scotia
- Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
- Have the potential to bring significant economic benefits to Nova Scotia
- Meet all commitments as agreed in Business Performance Agreement
