Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Immigration Program

The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.

To apply you must:

• be 21 years of age or older;
• want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
• have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD ($400,000 CAD if your business is outside Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM));
• be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia ($100,000 CAD if your business is outside HRM);
• have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role;
• have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
• complete an online Expression of Interest;
• receive an Invitation to Apply from Labour, Skills and Immigration.

Eligible Businesses (Start-up or Purchase)

• Applicants must hold at least 1/3 ownership of the business and actively participate in the day-to-day management.
• The business must operate in Nova Scotia, fulfilling tax obligations.
• The business should bring economic benefits to Nova Scotia.Additional Requirements:Depending on the nature of the business, there are additional requirements for the program:

1.Start-up Businesses: Must hire at least 1 Canadian citizen or PR holder (non-relative) as a full-time employee.

2.Purchase Businesses: Existing employees must continue to receive the same employment conditions as before the purchase.

Typically, the program application process takes around 3 years, including 1 year of the start-up phase and 2 years for immigration application processing.

Documents Required for Application: