NSNP Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur Stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is designed to attract individuals who wish to start or acquire a business and settle permanently in Nova Scotia.

This stream is for experienced business owners or senior managers who intend to live in Nova Scotia and take part in the day-to-day management of the business. It is a temporary-residence-to-permanent-residence programme, under which approved candidates must operate a business in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit for at least one continuous year before being nominated for permanent residence in Canada.

The entrepreneur programme operates under theExpression of Interest (EOI)of theNova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP).

Requirements for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

Requirements for the entrepreneur

To be eligible under the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream, a candidate must:

• Be aged 21 or over
• Have a minimum of CAD 600,000 in business and personal assets, verified by third-party professionals designated by NSOI
• Demonstrate that the declared net worth was accumulated lawfully, verified by third-party professionals designated by NSOI
• Have a minimum of 3 years of business ownership experience (owning at least 33.33%) or more than 5 years of experience in a senior management role within the past 10 years
• Commit to investing a minimum of CAD 150,000 in capital to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia
• Demonstrate sufficient language ability in English or French, verified by an approved language testing body;
  • Sufficient language ability is taken to beCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 across all 4 skills (listening, speaking, writing and reading).
  • The approved language testing bodies are:
    • English:
      • CELPIP General
      • IELTS General Training
    • French:
      • TEF
  • The language test must have been taken within the 2 years before the EOI is submitted
• Have at least a Canadian high school diploma OR an equivalent foreign credential verified by anEducational Credential Assessment (ECA)report dated within the five years before the EOI is submitted
• Have a Business Establishment Plan and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of that plan; and
• Commit to residing in Nova Scotia.

Requirements for the business

To be considered an eligible business under the Entrepreneur programme, the following criteria must be met:

• The candidate must own at least one third (33.33%) of the equity in the business
• The candidate must be actively and continuously involved in the day-to-day management and operation of the business from the business premises in Nova Scotia. The business must not be managed from another location in Nova Scotia or from another Canadian province or territory or another country
• The business must be a for-profit entity whose primary purpose is to earn a profit through the sale of goods and/or services
• The business must meet the legal requirements of the community in which it operates
• The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined in subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations 1985
• The business must be liable for income tax on taxable income earned from the “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia, regardless of income or other taxes that may be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity
• The business must have the potential to bring economic benefit to Nova Scotia, for example:
  • Adding value through manufacturing or processing, exports, destination tourism, research and development, and technology commercialisation
  • Developing innovative approaches to traditional businesses
  • Transferring technology and specialist knowledge to Nova Scotia
  • Providing products or services to an underserved local or regional market.

Additional requirements when establishing a business

When establishing a new business, the candidate must also:

• Create at least one full-time (or equivalent) job opportunity for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Nova Scotia (the employee must not be a relative). This position must be:
  • In addition to any position held by the approved candidate;
  • Related and directly connected to the candidate’s business; and
  • Meet the prevailing wage in the province.

Additional requirements when succeeding to a business

When purchasing an existing business in Nova Scotia, the following requirements must be met:

• The business must have been operated continuously by the same owner for the previous five years;
• All candidates must make an exploratory visit to meet the current owner;
• The candidate must provide evidence that reasonable efforts were made to determine the fair market value of the business;
• The business must be actively trading and not in bankruptcy; and
• The candidate must offer employment on similar terms and conditions to existing employees, including maintaining existing wages and working conditions.

The points system

When entrepreneurs submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) at Step 1, a points matrix is used to select the strongest candidates, those best aligned with Nova Scotia’s business and economic priorities, based on eight factors: language ability, level of education, business ownership or management experience, level of investment in the business, net worth, age, adaptability, and Nova Scotia’s economic priorities.

Selection factor	Maximum points
Language ability	35 points
Level of education	25 points
Business ownership or senior management experience	35 points
Net worth	10 points
Age	10 points
Adaptability	10 points
Nova Scotia economic priorities	10 points
Investment	15 points
Total	150 points

Factor 1: Language ability in English or French

First official language

Level	Speaking	Nghe	Reading	Writing	Total
CLB 7 or above	7	7	7	7	28
CLB 6	6	6	6	6	24
CLB 5	5	5	5	5	20
Below CLB 5	–

Second official language

Level	Points
At least CLB 5 across all four skills	7

Factor 2: Level of education

Level of education	Points
A university doctoral (PhD) degree or equivalent	25
A postgraduate master’s degree, or equivalent, or a professional university degree qualifying the holder to practise The occupation related to the degree must be: – NOC2011 Skill Level A, and – Licensed by a provincial regulatory body	23
Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or certificates, or the equivalent (at least one must be from a programme of at least three years)	22
A Canadian post-secondary degree or certificate for a programme of three years or more, or the equivalent	21
A Canadian post-secondary degree or certificate for a two-year programme, or the equivalent	19
A Canadian post-secondary degree or certificate for a one-year programme, or the equivalent	12
A Canadian secondary education certificate (also known as high school), or the equivalent	8
Below secondary	Not eligible

Factor 3: Business ownership or management experience

Business ownership or management experience	Points
More than 5 years of business ownership experience (owning a minimum of 33.33%) within the past 10 years	35
More than 5 years of experience in a senior management position within the past 10 years	20
3-5 years of business ownership experience (owning a minimum of 33.33%) within the past 10 years	20

Factor 4: Net worth

Net worth	Points
More than CAD 1.5 million	10
CAD 1 million – CAD 1.5 million	7
$600.000 CAD – $999.999 CAD	5
Below CAD 600,000	Not eligible

Factor 5: Age

Age	Points
Under 21	Not eligible
21-24	5
25-32	7
33-39	10
40-44	7
45-55	5
56 or over	0

Factor 6: Adaptability

Adaptability	Points
The candidate’s previous study in Nova Scotia The candidate has completed at least two years of full-time study (on a programme of at least two years) at a secondary or post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of study a week, and good academic standing (as defined by the institution) must have been maintained throughout the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.	10
Previous study in Nova Scotia by a spouse or common-law partner The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner has completed at least two years of full-time study (on a programme of at least two years) at a secondary or post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia.	5
The candidate’s previous work in Nova Scotia The candidate has at least one year of full-time work experience in Nova Scotia: – In an occupation at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2011), and – Completed on a valid work permit or while the candidate was authorised to work in Canada.	10
Previous work in Nova Scotia by a spouse or common-law partner The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner has at least one year of full-time work experience in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit or while authorised to work in Canada.	5
A relative in Nova Scotia The candidate or, where applicable, their spouse or common-law partner has a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, has lived in Nova Scotia for at least one continuous year and is aged 19 or over. Accepted relatives are: – parent, – grandparent, – sibling, – aunt/uncle, and – niece/nephew.	5
Language proficiency of a spouse or common-law partner The candidate’s spouse or common-law partner has language proficiency in English or French at CLB 4 or above across all four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing)	5

Factor 7: Nova Scotia economic priorities

Nova Scotia economic priorities	Points
An export-oriented business	5
The proposed business location is outside the Halifax Capital Region	5
Business succession	5

Factor 8: Investment

Investment amount	Points
More than CAD 300,000	15
$150.000 CAD – $300.000 CAD	10
Below CAD 150,000	Not eligible

The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream application process

There are 6 steps in the application process:

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Province of Nova Scotia

Prospective entrepreneur immigrants express their interest in operating a business and residing in Nova Scotia by completing an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the form of a short online survey.

In this survey, the candidate provides the required information on business ownership or management experience, language, education, investment, net worth, age, adaptability and the business.

Only candidates who meet the minimum criteria may submit an EOI. Candidates are assessed against the points matrix according to their profile, then scored and added to the EOI pool. An EOI may remain in the pool for up to 1 year from the date it is received.

If an EOI is not selected during this period, it is removed from the pool. After this point, the candidate may submit a new EOI if they wish. If a candidate is able to accumulate more points after submitting an EOI, they will need to submit a new EOI.

Step 2: Invitation to Apply

The highest-scoring candidates are notified by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) that they are invited to make a formal application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), in the form of an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Complete applications received from those invited to apply are assessed by NSOI.

A complete application is expected to include:

• The completed application form (submitted within 90 days of the date the ITA letter is issued);
• All supporting documents (submitted within 90 days of the date the ITA letter is issued);
• The Business Establishment Plan (submitted within 90 days of the date the ITA letter is issued); and
• A Net Worth Verification Report prepared by one of the Net Worth Verifiers designated by NSOI (submitted within 180 days of the date the ITA letter is issued).
  Note: the candidate must notify NSOI of their choice of Net Worth Verifier within 20 days of the date the ITA letter is issued.

Step 3: In-person interview and Business Performance Agreement

Once the application has been assessed by NSOI, candidates who meet the eligibility requirements set out are contacted to attend an in-person interview with an NSOI official. All interviews take place in Nova Scotia and are expected to take place within 60 days of the candidate being contacted.

If the interview is successful, the candidate is sent a Business Performance Agreement to review and sign. The Business Performance Agreement is a legal agreement with the province setting out the amount of investment the candidate will make and the business sector in which the business will operate, together with any other relevant information.

An unsuccessful interview, or failure to attend an interview within the 60-day limit, results in the file being closed.

NSOI issues an Entrepreneur Approval Letter and instructions on how to apply toImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)for a work permit once the Business Performance Agreement has been received.

The candidate must apply to IRCC for a work permit within two months of the date on the Entrepreneur Approval Letter. If IRCC refuses the work permit application, the candidate is no longer eligible under the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream.

Step 4: Temporary work permit and establishing the business in Nova Scotia

Candidates who successfully obtain a work permit are able to come to Nova Scotia with their family, settle, and start or acquire their business. Candidates are expected to do this within one year of receiving the Entrepreneur Approval Letter, failing which their file is closed. It is recommended that candidates begin operating the business in Nova Scotia within six months of arriving in the province on the work permit.

Approved candidates must attend an arrival meeting with an NSOI officer within 60 days of the date of arrival. Officers answer any questions relating to the terms of the Business Performance Agreement and may refer the candidate to other relevant service providers for further guidance and information. Candidates must bring their signed Arrival Report to the meeting.

Step 5: Nomination request

Once a candidate meets the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, including but not limited to making the required investment, operating the business continuously for a minimum of one year, and submitting a Business Establishment Progress Report to NSOI, they may apply to be nominated for permanent residence by the province of Nova Scotia under the NSNP by submitting a Nomination Request Form.

The Nomination Request Form asks for details of the business and requires the submission of an audit opinion and a Special Purpose Report, both of which must be provided by an Audit Services Verifier designated by NSOI and chosen by the candidate.

NSOI notifies the candidate or their representative of the nomination decision in writing. If nominated by the NSNP:

• The candidate receives a letter from NSOI confirming that the Nomination has been issued; and
• The Proof of Nomination, which expires six months from the date of issue, is sent directly to IRCC by NSOI.

Where the application under consideration is to be refused, the candidate or their representative receives a letter of intent to refuse from NSOI. In this case, the candidate has 10 working days to submit further information for consideration. After 10 working days, the file, including any new information submitted, is reassessed and the final decision is sent in writing, with no right of appeal.

Step 6: Apply for permanent residence

Once nominated, the candidate applies to IRCC for permanent residence within six months. Candidates should note that an NSNP nomination does not guarantee the issue of a Permanent Resident Visa. If the application is approved by the visa office, the candidate is issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence notice. They must provide a copy of this notice to NSOI within 30 working days.

The business establishment plan

The Business Establishment Plan must be a coherent, carefully thought-out plan for settling successfully and growing the business in Nova Scotia. The plan should demonstrate that the business meets the minimum required level of investment and that the candidate will hold an active management position in the business. The plan should also show that the candidate has carried out extensive research into the economic, market and cultural factors relevant to the proposed business.

The Business Establishment Plan must include a detailed Action Plan setting out, step by step, the business’s planned actions over the next two to three years. These actions include, but are not limited to: the financial actions needed to start or purchase the business, the expected start date of the business, when employees will be hired, the timing of planned export activity, and so on.

It is essential that the candidate has full knowledge and understanding of their Business Establishment Plan. Where a candidate does not know the contents of the plan, they may be considered ineligible.

Whether the candidate intends to purchase an existing business or establish a new one, the Business Establishment Plan must address all of the following topics: the business idea, the sales and marketing plan, the exploratory visit (in the case of business succession only), critical factors, risk factors, investment/financial information, business relationships, and human capital.

The business idea

The business idea section of the Business Establishment Plan must:

• Specify the industry/sector in which the proposed business will operate
• Provide a description of the business
  • The description should set out:
    • The ownership share; the candidate must demonstrate that they will own at least 33.33% of the business, and all other investors must be listed together with their contact details
    • The legal name and trading name of the business (in the case of business succession)
    • Details of any changes the candidate is considering to the business operation (in the case of business succession)
• Provide the business ownership information — partnership, sole proprietorship, corporation, acquisition, franchise
• Specify the proposed location of the business (city or town)
• Provide details of the geographic scope (local, regional or national) of the business

The sales and marketing plan

The sales and marketing plan section of the Business Establishment Plan must set out:

• The market analysis and marketing strategy, including the target market, key suppliers and main competitors;
• How the business will acquire space to operate from;
• What products or services the business will provide;
• What distribution channels the business will use;
• The business’s hours of operation;
• The external professional services the business intends to use, if any; and
• Full details of the research carried out to support these plans.

The exploratory visit (business succession only)

An exploratory visit is a mandatory requirement for all candidates intending to purchase an existing business rather than establish a new one. The candidate must produce and submit a report on their visit as part of the Business Establishment Plan. The report must cover the entire period of stay in Canada (including time spent in other provinces) and should include:

• The period of stay at which meets the immigration standards
• The names of the professional business service providers or settlement organisations visited during the trip, including postal addresses, telephone numbers and emails
• A description of the activity and/or meeting and its relevance to the candidate’s business establishment or settlement
• Copies of all air tickets, boarding passes and hotel receipts
• Copies of business cards collected from relevant contacts and business service providers throughout the visit
• Details of the visit to the existing business premises and of any meetings with the current owners

Critical factors

This section of the business plan should identify any:

• Government regulations that will apply to the proposed business, including environmental regulations, health regulations, municipal zoning requirements, and labour rules;
• Special insurance requirements; and
• Overall anticipated challenges beyond those identified above.

Risk factors

NSOI considers the potential for any risk factors in the proposed business and the candidate’s ability to address them. These factors include, but are not limited to, whether the candidate proposes external financing, or whether they propose to invest more than 50% of their personal net worth.

Investment/finance

The investment/finance section of the business plan should include:

• The proposed investment amount, including how the money will be spent;
• Start-up funds and forecast costs;
• The source of funding for the investment;
• Financial statements for the past five years, in the case of business succession; and
• Projected financial statements for three years, including a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. Assumption notes for the income statement and cash flow statement, including the reasoning behind estimated revenue, costs and profit, must be included.

Business relationships

In this section of the Business Establishment Plan, the candidate should provide:

• The names, organisations, postal addresses, telephone numbers and emails of the contracted professional business service providers the candidate has contacted and/or with whom they have established an active working relationship or a paid contractual agreement;
• The name, organisation name, postal address, email and telephone number of the person who compiled or assisted in compiling the Business Establishment Plan;
• A summary of those who were contracted or consulted during the preparation of the Business Establishment Plan.

Human capital

The final section of the plan should set out:

• The management contribution the candidate intends to make to the proposed business, including an estimate of the number of hours a week they will spend managing and/or working in the business;
• The number and type of jobs that will be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
• The candidate’s plan to offer existing employees terms and conditions similar to those they already have, including maintaining existing wages and working conditions, in the case of business succession;
• The education and experience requirements for new employees;
• Any preparation and training for doing business in Nova Scotia (including course titles and organisation names, where applicable) that the candidate will undertake;
• The candidate’s educational background and its relevance to the proposed business idea; and
• The candidate’s business experience and its relevance to the proposed business idea.

Where a candidate has no experience or background directly related to the proposed business, they should explain how their knowledge or experience can be applied to the business.

Who is not eligible for the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

Ineligible candidates

A candidate is considered ineligible and should not apply under this stream if they:

• Are an asylum seeker in Canada
• Are living unlawfully in their current country of residence
• Have been issued a removal order by IRCC or the Canada Border Services Agency
• Are inadmissible to Canada
• Are a passive investor (individuals who intend to invest in a business in Nova Scotia with very limited or no involvement in the day-to-day management of the business)
• Have no legal status; they are not eligible to apply until their status is restored

Ineligible businesses

The following types of business are not eligible:

• Businesses operated remotely (from another Canadian jurisdiction or from another country)
• Property rental, investment and leasing operations
• Construction/development/real estate brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage; unless the candidate can demonstrate that the business will bring significant benefit to the province
• Professional services or self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation
• Payday lending, cheque cashing, currency exchange and cash machines
• Pawnshops
• Credit unions
• Home-based businesses; unless the candidate can demonstrate that the business will bring significant benefit to the province
• Cooperatives
• Investment in a business operated primarily for the purpose of earning passive investment income
• Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornographic or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
• Joint ventures between NSNP programme candidates
• Any type of business whose association could damage the reputation of the NSNP or the Government of Nova Scotia

History

NSOI holds periodic invitation rounds, or draws, for the Entrepreneur Stream. This table shows the history of these rounds.

Date of invitation	Number of invitations issued	Minimum score
9 December 2020	34	122
5 February 2020	27	115
12 November 2019	20	118
6 September 2019	46	113
24 June 2019	43	110
17 May 2019	27	112
4 April 2019	27	112
19 February 2019	22	112
7 January 2019	33	112
14 November 2018	30	112
9 October 2018	44	109
20 September 2018	43	109
7 August 2018	32	116
26 June 2018	22	120
21 May 2018	18	123
27 March 2018	22	108
20 February 2018	22	100
16 January 2018	27	91
19 December 2017	27	91
15 November 2017	24	91
10 October 2017	12	97
15 September 2017	28	91
9 August 2017	25	94
11 July 2017	20	97
13 June 2017	30	95
9 May 2017	35	98
7 March 2017	26	90
18 January 2017	28	90
22 December 2016	36	97
18 November 2016	35	104
3 October 2016	9	110
11 August 2016	12	111
28 June 2016	8	115
21 April 2016	11	108
31 March 2016	8	113
10 March 2016	8	117
19 February 2016	6	112