Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream:
Business Immigration to Canada
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What is the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream?
- The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream is a business immigration pathway for business owners and senior managers who want to invest in, start or buy a business in Nova Scotia.
- To meet the requirements for Canadian permanent residence, you must run the business in the province yourself.
- Your spouse and dependent children under 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship can be included in your application.
- Minimum investment of C$100,000 for a business outside the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), or C$150,000 for a business inside the HRM.
- Nova Scotia's cost of living and housing prices are more affordable than those of many larger provinces, and its Atlantic coast location is an advantage for trade.
Benefits of Nova Scotia business immigration
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Your whole family can move to Nova Scotia
The investor, spouse and dependent children can live, study and work in Nova Scotia while the investor holds a work permit.
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Education for your children in Canada
Your children can attend public school free of charge through high school; once your family holds permanent residence, they can attend university at domestic tuition rates.
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A route to permanent residence
Once you fulfill your commitments to the province and operate the business as required, your family may be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
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A pathway to Canadian citizenship
Once the family holds permanent residence and meets the residency, tax, language and background requirements, family members may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Key advantages
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Investment from C$100,000
Applies when you start or buy a business outside the Halifax Regional Municipality.
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No profitability requirement
Your business does not have to be profitable right away, but it must be actively operated and meet your commitments to the province.
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Affordable cost of living
Nova Scotia's cost of living and housing prices are more affordable than those of many larger Canadian provinces.
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A family-friendly place to live
The province has well-established education and health care systems and stable communities, making it a good fit for long-term settlement plans.
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An advantage for international trade
Its location on the Atlantic coast gives Nova Scotia convenient links with the United States, Europe and other international markets.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream requirements
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Net worth requirement
- Minimum personal net worth of C$600,000 if your business is inside the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
- Minimum personal net worth of C$400,000 if your business is outside the HRM.
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Main applicant requirements
- Within the last 10 years, at least 3 years of experience owning and running a business, or at least 5 years of experience as a senior business manager.
- Language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French (equivalent to IELTS 5.0).
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Investment requirement
- Minimum investment of C$150,000 if your business is inside the HRM.
- Minimum investment of C$100,000 if your business is outside the HRM.
- Present a viable business plan that delivers economic benefits to the province.
- Operate the business for at least 12 months to become eligible to apply for permanent residence.
- If you start a new business, create at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; if you buy an existing business, maintain its existing jobs.
Nova Scotia PNP Entrepreneur Stream: application process
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Eligibility assessment and file preparation
Assessment of the applicant's eligibility, net worth, management experience and fit with the stream.
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Exploratory visit to Nova Scotia
Make an exploratory visit to Nova Scotia if you plan to buy an existing business.
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Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submit your EOI to the Government of Nova Scotia.
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Invitation to Apply (ITA) and full application
Once you are invited to apply, you complete and submit the formal application.
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Provincial interview
Attend an interview with Nova Scotia immigration officials, either in person or virtually, as requested.
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Sign the Business Performance Agreement
Once approved, you sign the Business Performance Agreement with the province and apply for a work permit.
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Moving to Canada to invest and run the business
With your work permit in hand, you move to Nova Scotia, make your investment and run the business.
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Business performance report
Once your business has operated for the required period, you submit a report to the province and request a provincial nomination.
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Apply for permanent residence
Once nominated, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Nova Scotia business immigration: frequently asked questions
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