Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP): Entrepreneur Stream

OVERVIEW

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP) is administered by the NS Office of Immigration, in partnership with the federal government of Canada. The purpose of the NSNP is to increase immigration to NS, to meet NS’s demographic, labour, and economic goals.

The NS Government uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for file submission and selection. Under this points-based model, an EOI profile will first be created for each applicant, and the Government will periodically select applicants from this pool. Those with the highest points and greatest potential to become economically established in NS will be selected and invited to apply to the NSNP.

Under the Entrepreneur Stream, the applicant must run a business in NS, and live in NS, for 1 year before being nominated. The applicant will continue to live, and run the business, from within NS until Permanent Residence visa issuance.

BENEFITS

The benefits of the NVPNP include the following:

• Small initial payment of $5,000 (plus $5,000 to be paid upon Invitation to Apply, approx. $3,800 to be paid for the Net Worth Verification Report, $45,000 to be paid after successful interview, and minimum $150,000 to be invested in a business after obtaining the Work Permit)
• Peedy provincial processing
• When the applicant family moves to NS, the children can attend public school in NS for free (kindergarten to grade 12). Post-graduate students will pay foreign student rates until permanent residence is received
• Medical care will be free for the family after landing
• The spouse can obtain an open work permit
• Fast federal processing is expected (9-12 months in most posts)

NSPNP QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Intend to settle in NS, and to manage, invest in, or own a business in NS
• Make a minimum investment of $150,000 in a NS business in accordance with Section 87 of the IRPA regulations
• Have minimum $600,000 in legally earned Net Worth (principal applicant’s and spouse’s assets combined)
• Be able to document the legitimate source of funds for $600,000
• Be minimum age 21
• Have completed at least 12 years of school (completed secondary school), verified by an Educational Credential Assessment
• Be living legally in a country (have legal status in that country)
• Have minimum 3 years (in the past 10 years) of business ownership experience (min. 33.3% ownership), or minimum 5 years (in the past 10 years) of transferable senior management experience
• Have basic proficiency in English or French (CLB 5 or greater)

PROCESS

ABOUT NS

Nova Scotia is a peninsular province on the east coast of Canada, almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Fundy. It connects to mainland Canada via New Brunswick, and has a population of approx. 950,000. The largest cities are the Halifax Regional Municipality (the capital; 400,000 population), Sydney, Truro, Amherst, and New Glasgow.

Nova Scotia is home to approx. 90 private colleges, 1 community college (with 13 campuses), and 10 universities (including Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, Mount Saint Vincent University, NSCAD University, Acadia University, and Saint Francis Xavier University). There are approx. 450 public schools for children (primary to grade 12), and many private schools as well (such as King’s Edgehill boarding school, Sacred Heart School of Halifax, Ambrae Academy, Halifax Grammar School, and Shambhala School.

The province’s landscape is beautiful and varied, attracting many cruise ships and tourists year-round. Cape Breton Island, in northeast Nova Scotia, is famous for the spectacular and mountainous Cabot Trail, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and the Celtic Colours music festival. The southern and eastern shores have many beautiful white sand beaches and islands, while the northwest is bordered by the Bay of Fundy and highest tides in the world. The interior contains many lakes and forests, including Kejimkujik National Park. Tourists enjoy a variety of leisure activities, such as beaches, golf courses, eco-tourism adventures, restaurants, touring the countryside, and enjoying cultural events held in local communities.

Nova Scotia has strategic access to global markets with efficient transportation systems and infrastructure, and the second largest sea and container port in Canada (naturally deep and ice-free). Nova Scotia is located close to key markets, such as New York, Boston, Toronto, and Montreal. It is the world’s largest exporter of Christmas trees, lobster, gypsum, and wild blueberries, and has the 4th largest film industry in Canada. Its major industries are agriculture (blueberries, potatoes, maple syrup, etc.), fishing, the defence and aerospace sectors, forestry, mining, tourism, and manufacturing. Information technology, cyber security, financial services, and innovative energy are rapidly growing industries.