Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP)
The Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP) selects skilled businessmen and senior business managers who want to run their business in the province. This also helps Nova Scotia upgrade its business environment and add to its economy.
To qualify, meet the following terms:
- Firstly, buy or start a business in Nova Scotia;
- Secondly, run the business for a minimum of 12 months;
- Finally, meet the terms of the program to apply for a nomination for a Canada PR.
Which business does not qualify under the Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP)?
The following businesses do not qualify under this stream:
- A business that is run/managed from outside Canada or Nova Scotia;
- Property, rental, leasing and investment activities;
- Real estate construction/brokerage/development, insurance or business brokerage. NSOI will allow running this business if the applicant proves the business will surely benefit the province;
- Any self-employed businesses or professional services that need licenses and accreditation;
- Payday loan, cheque cashing, cash machines and money changing;
- Credit unions;
- Pawnbrokers;
- Home-based business, unless the applicant proves its profitability;
- Cooperatives;
- Investment in a business run for only getting passive income;
- Any business related to production, distribution and or supply of explicit material;
- Joint ventures between applicants of NSNP program;
- Also, any other business that brings disrepute to the Nova Scotia government or NSNP.
Terms to Apply to the Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP)
To apply, both applicants and its business must match the following terms such as:
For Applicant
- Have a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD;
- Also, net worth must be legal and must be verified by NSOI designated 3rd party professionals;
- Have a minimum of either 3 years of business ownership experience (including 33.33% ownership) within the past 10 years or a minimum of 5+ years of experience as a senior business manager within 10 years;
- Also, have minimum CLB Level 5 in English/French. Also, give valid test results for English – IELTS/CELPIP, for French – TCF/TEF;
- Further, have a minimum of either a Canadian high school education or an ECA report. Because an ECA report shows that your foreign education is equal to the Canadian education system;
- Besides, the ECA report must not be more than 5 years old at the time of application;
- Moreover, must agree to make a minimum capital investment of $150,000 CAD to start/buy and run a business;
- Finally, show intent to settle in Nova Scotia.
For Applicant’s Business
- Must own a minimum of 33.33% (one-third) equity of its business;
- Be actively involved in the day to day management and activities of the business;
- Also, the business must be legal. Also, it must meet all the rules and regulations of the province;
- The aim of business must be to earn profits through the sale of goods and services;
- Business must be permanent as per subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985;
- Also, must meet the income tax rules and regulations;
- The applicant must be actively running its business from Nova Scotia;
- The business must be profitable for the economy of the province. Thus it must add value to manufacturing or processing, exports, research and development, technology development and tourism sectors;
- Create innovative ways to grow traditional businesses;
- Serve the under-serviced or local or regional market.
Points Grid for Expression of Interest (EOI) Profile
To apply to the Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP), you must submit an EOI. An EOI is not a formal application to NSNP but shows your interest in applying to the program. To qualify, you must also meet the terms of the EOI points grid. Because as per this grid your EOI profile will receive a score. If you have the minimum score then NSNP will select your profile and invite you to apply to NSNP.
The following are the factors that you must meet:
- Language skills – Max 35 points (first language) and Max 07 points (second language)
- Education level – Max 25 points
- Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience – Max 35 points
- Net Worth – Max 10 points
- Age – Max 10 points
- Adaptability – Max 10 points
- Nova Scotia Economic Priorities – Max 10 points
- Investment – Max 15 points
Language Skills
To prove your language skills, give 1 of the following test results for English and French:
- IELTS (English)
- CELPIP (English)
- TCF (French)
- TEF (French)
| Language Skills | |||||
| First Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Max 35 Points |
| CLB Level 7+ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| CLB Level 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| CLB Level 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
| Second Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Max 7 Points |
| Minimum CLB Level 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
Education Level
| Education | Maximum 25 Points |
| High school diploma | 8 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma, for a 1-year study program | 12 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma, for a 2-year study program | 19 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma, for a 3-year or more study program | 21 |
| 2 or more post-secondary degrees or diplomas (at least 1 must be for a study period of 3 years) | 22 |
| Master’s degree | 23 |
| Entry-to-practice professional degree (University level)
The degree must be related to occupation under: · NOC A Skill Level; and · Must be licensed by Canada approved authorities. |
23 |
| PhD | 25 |
Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience
| Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience | Maximum 35 Points |
| 3 to 5 years of business ownership experience
(minimum 1/3 ownership) within the past 10 years |
20 |
| 5+ years of experience in a senior
management role within the past 10 years |
20 |
| 5+ years of business ownership experience
(minimum 1/3 ownership) within the past 10 years |
35 |
Net Worth
| Net Worth | Maximum 10 Points |
| $600,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD | 5 |
| 1 million CAD – $1.5 million CAD | 7 |
| More than $1.5 million CAD | 10 |
Age
| Age | Maximum 10 Points |
| 21-24 | 5 |
| 25-32 | 7 |
| 33-39 | 10 |
| 40-44 | 7 |
| 45-55 | 5 |
| More than 56 | 0 |
Adaptability
| Adaptability | Maximum 10 Points |
| You or your spouse/common-law partner has a language skill level of CLB 4 or higher in all 4 skill areas. | 5 |
| You completed a minimum of 2 years of a full-time study program. This program must have 15 hours of studies per week. Also, you must have completed this program from a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia. | 10 |
| Spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of 2 years of full-time study. This program must have a minimum of 15 hours of studies per week. Also, they must have completed this program from a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia. | 5 |
| You have past work experience in Nova Scotia in an occupation under NOC Skill Level 0, A or B. You were also on a valid work permit or were authorized to work in Canada. | 10 |
| Spouse or common-law partner has previous work experience in Nova Scotia of minimum 1 year. They were also working with a valid work permit or authorization to work in Canada. | 5 |
| You or spouse or common-law partner has relatives in Nova Scotia. | 5 |
Nova Scotia Economic Priorities
| Nova Scotia Economic Priorities | Maximum 10 Points |
| Export business | 5 |
| Business outside Halifax | 5 |
| Business succession/takeover | 5 |
Investment
| Investment | Maximum 15 Points |
| $150,000 CAD – $300,000 CAD | 10 |
| More than $300,000 CAD | 15 |