Nova Scotia Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Stream Name	NSNP Entrepreneur Stream
Stay	Leads to permanent residence
Cost	$2,000 CAD provincial fee; IRCC fees extra
Eligibility Timing	Operate business for 1 year before nomination
Work Rights	Granted via IRCC temporary work permit
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Eligible spouse, common-law partner, dependent children
Visa Record	Not stated in the source

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Purpose of the Stream

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Entrepreneur Stream provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for:

• Category A (Experienced Business Owners and Senior Business Managers): Individuals intending to start or purchase and actively manage a business in Nova Scotia.
• Category B (Nova Scotia Graduate Entrepreneurs): Graduates of at least a two-year, full-time program at a Nova Scotia university or NSCC who have owned and operated a Nova Scotia business for at least one year.

This is an economic immigration stream. It cannot be used for family reunification, refugee protection, or humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

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Ineligible Applicants & Ineligible Businesses

Ineligible Applicants

Do not submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you:

• Committed immigration misrepresentation in the last 5 years.
• Lack legal status in your country of residence (maintained/implied status in Canada is not eligible).
• Received an NSNP or Atlantic Immigration Program nomination/endorsement in the past 12 months.
• Are in Canada under the Live-In Caregiver Program.
• Applied for refugee status (or were refused) or applied on humanitarian/compassionate grounds.
• Have an active removal order from IRCC or the CBSA.
• Are currently studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
• Hold an unfulfilled scholarship or award requiring return to your home country.

Ineligible Businesses

• Property rental, investment, or leasing; passive investments.
• Real estate, insurance, or business brokerages.
• Payday loans, cheque cashing, money changing, cash machines, pawn brokers, credit unions.
• Home-based businesses (unless proven to provide great benefit to Nova Scotia).
• Co-operatives; joint ventures with other nominee applicants.
• Businesses paying employees exclusively by commission.
• Pornography or sexually explicit products/services.
• Professional services or self-employed businesses requiring accreditation/licensing not held by the applicant.
• Any business that would bring the Province into disrepute. (Note: Real estate construction and development are considered on a case-by-case basis).

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Eligibility Criteria

Category A: Experienced Business Owner / Senior Manager

• Age: At least 21 years old.
• Net Worth: Legally earned minimum of $600,000 CAD (if business is in Halifax Regional Municipality / HRM) or $400,000 CAD (outside HRM).
• Personal Investment: Minimum $150,000 CAD of personal funds (in HRM) or $100,000 CAD (outside HRM).
• Ownership & Management: Own at least one-third (33.33%) equity; actively participate in day-to-day operations within Nova Scotia.
• Experience: At least 3 years of business ownership experience OR more than 5 years of senior management experience in the last 10 years.
• Education: Canadian high school diploma equivalent or higher (verified by an ECA issued within the past 5 years).
• Language: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) / NCLC Level 5 in English or French (test must be less than 2 years old).
• Job Creation: For new businesses, create at least 1 full-time permanent position (minimum 1,560 hours/year) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident non-relative.

Category B: Nova Scotia Graduate Entrepreneur

• Age: At least 21 years old.
• Education: Completed a minimum 2-year full-time study program (at least 15 hours/week) while living in Nova Scotia at a recognized Nova Scotia university or NSCC.
• Work Permit: Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
• Business Operation: Must have owned (minimum 1/3 equity) and actively operated the business in Nova Scotia for at least 1 continuous year before applying.
• Remuneration: Must receive a salary meeting the Statistics Canada Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
• Language: Minimum CLB / NCLC Level 7 in English or French (test must be less than 2 years old).

Business Purchase Requirements (Both Streams)

• Previous owner must have operated the business continuously for the 5 years prior to purchase.
• Business must be active and not in receivership.
• Must agree on fair market value.
• Must offer existing staff similar wages and working conditions.
• Category A additional: Applicant must make an in-person visit to meet the owner.

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Family Provisions (Dependents)

Eligible family members who may immigrate with the principal applicant include:

• Spouse: Legally married partner.
• Common-Law Partner: Cohabited in a marriage-like relationship for at least 1 continuous year.
• Dependent Children: Under 22 years old and unmarried, or 22 and older if financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition since before turning 22.

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Application Steps & Timelines

Category A: 7-Step Process

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Valid for 1 year in the pool.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA) & Application:
   • Within 20 days: Select and notify LSI of your Net Worth Verifier.
   • Within 90 days (new business) or 180 days (purchased business): Pay the non-refundable $2,000 CAD fee, submit eNSNP 100, Business Establishment Plan, Net Worth Verification Report, and supporting documents.
3. Interview & Business Performance Agreement (BPA): Complete interview (virtually or in person). Sign and return BPA within 15 business days.
4. Apply for Work Permit: Apply to IRCC within 60 calendar days of getting the Entrepreneur Approval Letter.
5. Arrival in Nova Scotia: Arrive within 6 months of receiving the IRCC Port of Entry introduction letter. Meet with LSI staff within 60 calendar days of arrival.
6. Operate Business & Request Nomination: Operate business for at least 1 full year meeting all BPA terms before requesting nomination.
7. Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit PR application to IRCC within 12 months of receiving the provincial Letter of Nomination.

Category B: 4-Step Process

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Valid for 1 year.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA) & Application: Within 20 days notify LSI of Net Worth Verifier; within 90 days submit form eNSNP 100, NSNP 500, pay $2,000 CAD non-refundable fee, and provide reports.
3. Interview & Business Visit: Complete interview/site visit (normally within 15 business days). Receive nomination certificate.
4. Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit PR application to IRCC within 12 months of nomination.

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Key Obligations & Warnings

• Program Integrity & Misrepresentation: Providing false information or omitting material facts leads to application closure, loss of nomination, and a 5-year ban from applying to any Nova Scotia immigration stream.
• Reporting Changes: Applicants must immediately inform LSI of any changes to marital status, family composition, address, contact details, employment, or immigration status.
• Non-Refundable Fees: The $2,000 CAD provincial application fee is strictly non-refundable once processed, including for withdrawn or refused applications.
• No Appeals: Provincial decisions to close or refuse files are final; there is no appeal mechanism.
• Federal Final Authority: Provincial nomination and support letters do not guarantee that IRCC will grant a work permit or permanent residence.