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Business Immigration

Nova Scotia

Minimum requirements

Popular business immigration programs for graduated international students and entrepreneurs in the province

Intl Graduate Entrepreneur

Recently graduated students in Nova Scotia want to start a business and settle in the province

Age
At least 21 years old
Language
CLB 7
Type of investment
Purchase, establish or invest in a business in the province with a 33.33% ownership
Active operation
Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business for 1 year
Education
Have completed a 2 years post-secondary program in Nova Scotia
Post-graduation Work Permit
Valid for at least 6 months
Business revenue
Sufficient to compensate the owner a salary that meets or exceeds Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
Job creation
1 full-time position (not including family members)
Entrepreneur

Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest and settle in Nova Scotia

Age
At least 21 years old
Language
CLB 5
Type of investment
Purchase or establish a new business
Active operation
Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business for 1 year
Net worth
$600,000 after debt deduction
$400,000 if outside Halifax
Investment
$150,000
$100,000 if outside Halifax
Business management experience
3 years as a business owner, or
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.

Application process

Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government

International Graduate Entrepreneur

Business Operation
Stage 1

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
Stage 2

Create a profile on EOI system when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months

Provincial invitation
Stage 3

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
Stage 4

Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.

Decision of Nomination
Stage 5

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
Stage 6

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

Entrepreneur

Profile submission
Stage 1

Create a profile on EOI system when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months

Provincial invitation
Stage 2

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
Stage 3

Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.

Investment decision
Stage 4

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
Stage 5

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
Stage 6

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
Stage 7

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
Stage 8

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.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Background elements
Settlement fund
Net worth
Age
Language
French
Canadian work experience
Education
Work experience
Management experience
Admissible
Residential area
Letter from employer
Occupation in Canada
Liquid asset
Field study in Canada
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Job offer
Investment value
Business proposal
Education in Canada
Investment region
Residential area
Exploratory Visit
Scoring factors

Entrepreneur

Language
0%
Education
0%
Ownership and management experience
0%
Total assets
0%
Age
0%
Adaptability
0%
Economic priorities
0%
Investment value
0%

International Graduate Entrepreneur

Language
0%
Education
0%
Work experience
0%
Adaptability
0%
Age
0%
Economic priorities
0%

Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.

Entitlement

Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children

Work and study
Work and study

Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program

Medical
Medical

Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian

Education
Education

Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education

Benefits
Benefits

Access to social benefits as same as Canadian

Mobility right
Mobility right

Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status

Sponsorship
Sponsorship

Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met

Naturalization
Naturalization

Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met

Specific requirements

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:

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:

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