Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) > NSNP - Entrepreneur stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of Nova Scotia's Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP), the Entrepreneur stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the Entrepreneur stream
The Entrepreneur stream is one of the Nova Scotia PNP streams that is dedicated to international entrepreneurs who wish to invest their money in the province.
When receiving a nomination under the Entrepreneur stream, candidates can then apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government of Canada. |
This stream is not aligned with Express Entry, which means that candidates cannot take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of Express Entry. Processing times of Provincial Nominee Programs (not aligned with Express Entry) are usually longer and take at least 1 year.
The Entrepreneur stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, the NSNP does not send Invitations to Apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 150 points) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, the NSNP conducts periodic Entrepreneur draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
The Entrepreneur stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, the NSNP does not send Invitations to Apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 150 points) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, the NSNP conducts periodic Entrepreneur draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible and ineligible businesses
To be eligible to the Entrepreneur stream, your proposed business must meet the following criteria:
Additional criteria apply if (i) starting a new business or (ii) when purchasing an existing business:
Some types of businesses are not eligible for the Entrepreneur stream:
Minimum criteria and Entrepreneur Points Grid:
As said earlier, meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive an invitation to apply from the NSNP. Each draw has a minimum threshold score, and you need to have a score above or equal to the threshold to receive an invitation to apply.
There are 8 factors under which you can score points that are explained in detail below. Remember that for each factor you will be claiming points for, you will have to provide supporting documents to prove you satisfy to the criteria of the factor.
To be eligible to the Entrepreneur stream, your proposed business must meet the following criteria:
- You must own at least one third (33.33%) of the equity of the business.
- You must provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business.
- Businesses must meet the legal requirements of the community in which they operate.
- The business must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services.
- The business must be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985.
- The business is liable to pay income tax on taxable income earned as a result of a “permanent establishment” in Nova Scotia, irrespective of income or other taxes which may also be payable in other jurisdictions as a result of income earned or other business activity.
- The business must be actively managed by you from the place of business in Nova Scotia. The business must not be managed from another location in Nova Scotia or from another Canadian province or territory or other country.
- The business must have the potential to create significant economic benefit to Nova Scotia. For example:
- Increasing value added manufacturing or processing, exports, destination tourism, research and development, and technology commercialization,
- Developing innovative approaches to traditional businesses,
- Transferring technology and specialized knowledge to Nova Scotia, or
- Providing products or services to an under-served local or regional market.
Additional criteria apply if (i) starting a new business or (ii) when purchasing an existing business:
- (i) Starting a new business: you must create a minimum of one full-time or equivalent part-time employment opportunity for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident in Nova Scotia (non-relative worker).
- (ii) Purchasing an existing business:
- The Nova Scotia based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner in Nova Scotia for the previous 5 years,
- You must complete an exploratory visit to meet the current owner(s),
- You must provide evidence that reasonable efforts were taken to establish a fair market value for the business,
- The business must be actively in operation and not in receivership, and
- You must offer employment on similar terms and conditions to existing staff, including maintaining existing wages and employment terms.
Some types of businesses are not eligible for the Entrepreneur stream:
- Businesses that are conducted remotely (from another Canadian jurisdiction or from another country).
- Property rental, investment, and leasing activities.
- Real estate construction/development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage; unless you can prove your project in this area will have a compelling benefit to the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Any professional services or self-employed business operators requiring licensing or accreditation.
- Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machines.
- Pawnbrokers.
- Credit unions.
- Home-based businesses; unless you can prove your business will have a compelling benefit to the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Co-operatives.
- Investments into a business operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income.
- Businesses involved in the production, distribution or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services.
- Joint ventures between NSNP program candidates.
- Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the NSNP or the Government of Nova Scotia into disrepute.
Minimum criteria and Entrepreneur Points Grid:
As said earlier, meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive an invitation to apply from the NSNP. Each draw has a minimum threshold score, and you need to have a score above or equal to the threshold to receive an invitation to apply.
There are 8 factors under which you can score points that are explained in detail below. Remember that for each factor you will be claiming points for, you will have to provide supporting documents to prove you satisfy to the criteria of the factor.
Selection factors 150-point grid | Maximum Points |
---|---|
Factor 1 - Language ability | 35 |
Factor 2 - Education ability | 25 |
Factor 3 - Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience | 35 |
Factor 4 - Net Worth | 10 |
Factor 5 - Age | 10 |
Factor 6 - Adaptability | 10 |
Factor 7 - Nova Scotia Economic Priorities | 10 |
Factor 8 - Investment | 15 |
Total | 150 |