The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream offers a route to permanent resident status while supporting entrepreneurial candidates and their families in the establishment and operation of a business in Nova Scotia.
Successful applicants to this stream receive a Temporary Work Permit, with which they can start a business in Nova Scotia. After operating the business for a year, they can be nominated for permanent resident status.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream eligibility requirements
Candidates wishing to apply to the stream must:
- be at least 21 years old,
- have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD,
- be able to make a personal investment of at least $150,000 CAD to establish a business in Nova Scotia,
- demonstrate at least three years’ experience in actively owning and managing a business, with an ownership share of at least ⅓ OR, at least five years’ experience in a senior business management role,
- score at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in all factors of an official language test, in English or French, and
- intend to settle in Nova Scotia, actively owning and managing a business.
How to apply
Interested candidates are required to complete an online Expression of Interest (EOI) form. Candidates are issued a score based on the points assessment (see below) and are then entered into a candidate pool, where they are ranked according to their score. A EOI can remain in the pool for up to 12 months, at which point it expires and the candidate can submit a new EOI.
The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) contacts the candidates it wishes to nominate; only successful candidates are contacted. These candidates receive an invitation to apply.
Wait! Let us help you.
EOI points grid
Candidates are ranked based on their points score, which is allocated according to the following factors.
Factor 1: Language
First official language
| First official language | Points awarded: Speaking | Points awarded: Listening | Points awarded: Reading | Points awarded: Writing | Total points: (minimum 20 points required) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 9+ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| CLB 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| CLB 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
Second official language
| Second official language | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| At least CLB 5 in all four abilities | 7 |
Factor 2: Education
| Education | Points (maximum 25) |
|---|---|
| Canadian high school diploma, or equivalent | 8 |
| Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma from a one-year program, or equivalent | 12 |
| Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma from a two-year program, or equivalent | 19 |
| Canadian degree or diploma from a post-secondary program of three years or longer, or equivalent | 21 |
| Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas (at least one must be of at least three years’ duration) | 22 |
| Master’s level degree or equivalent | 23 |
| University-level entry-to-practice professional degree related to a TEER 1 profession which is licensed by a provincial regulatory body | 23 |
| PhD-level degree or equivalent | 25 |
Factor 3: Work experience
| Work experience | Points (maximum 35) |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 years’ business ownership experience (minimum ⅓ ownership) in the last 10 years | 20 |
| More than 5 years’ work experience in a senior management role in the last 10 years | 20 |
| More than 5 years’ business ownership experience (minimum ⅓ ownership) in the last 10 years | 35 |
Factor 4: Net worth
| Net worth | Points (maximum 10) |
|---|---|
| $600,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD | 5 |
| $1 million CAD – $1.5 million CAD | 7 |
| More than $1.5 million CAD | 10 |
Factor 5: Age
| Age at time of EOI submission | Points (maximum 10) |
|---|---|
| 21–24 | 5 |
| 25–32 | 7 |
| 33–39 | 10 |
| 40–44 | 7 |
| 45–55 | 5 |
| 56+ | 0 |
Factor 6: Adaptability
| Adaptability | Points (maximum 10) |
|---|---|
| Spouse or partner’s language level: at least CLB 4 in all abilities in English or French | 5 |
| Candidate’s past study in Nova Scotia: at least two academic years of full-time study at secondary or post-secondary level in Nova Scotia | 10 |
| Spouse or partner’s past study in Nova Scotia: at least two academic years of full-time study at secondary or post-secondary level in Nova Scotia | 5 |
| Candidate’s past work in Nova Scotia: at least one year of full-time work in the province on a valid work permit, in an occupation in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. | 10 |
| Spouse or partner’s past work in Nova Scotia: at least one year of full-time work in the province on a valid work permit | 5 |
| Relatives in Nova Scotia: candidate or spouse/partner has a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, aged 19 or older and living in Nova Scotia for at least one continues year as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident | 5 |
Factor 7: Nova Scotia Economic Priorities
| Nova Scotia Economic Priorities | Points (maximum 10) |
|---|---|
| Export-oriented business | 5 |
| Business located outside of Halifax County | 5 |
| Business succession (Nova Scotia-based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for previous five years) | 5 |
Factor 8: Investment
| Investment | Points (maximum 15) |
|---|---|
| $150,000 CAD – $300,000 CAD | 10 |
| More than $300,000 CAD | 15 |
PNP Live Tracker
Make sure to stay up to date with all the latest developments in this and other Canadian immigration categories using the Moving2Canada PNP Live Tracker.
Related articles
PNP Canada Live Tracker: which PNPs are open?
Read More
Ontario is doubling PNP immigration
Read More
Provincial immigration is increasing in Canada
Read More
Alberta PNP expects to soon welcome +10K new immigrants per year
Read More
