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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.

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 languagePoints awarded: SpeakingPoints awarded: ListeningPoints awarded: ReadingPoints awarded: WritingTotal points: (minimum 20 points required)
CLB 9+777728
CLB 8666624
CLB 7555520

Second official language

Second official languagePoints awarded
At least CLB 5 in all four abilities7

Factor 2: Education

EducationPoints (maximum 25)
Canadian high school diploma, or equivalent8
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma from a one-year program, or equivalent12
Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma from a two-year program, or equivalent19
Canadian degree or diploma from a post-secondary program of three years or longer, or equivalent21
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 equivalent23
University-level entry-to-practice professional degree related to a TEER 1 profession which is licensed by a provincial regulatory body23
PhD-level degree or equivalent25

Factor 3: Work experience

Work experiencePoints (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 years20
More than 5 years’ business ownership experience (minimum ⅓ ownership) in the last 10 years35

Factor 4: Net worth

Net worthPoints (maximum 10)
$600,000 CAD – $999,999 CAD5
$1 million CAD – $1.5 million CAD7
More than $1.5 million CAD10

Factor 5: Age

Age at time of EOI submissionPoints (maximum 10)
21–245
25–327
33–3910
40–447
45–555
56+0

Factor 6: Adaptability

AdaptabilityPoints (maximum 10)
Spouse or partner’s language level: at least CLB 4 in all abilities in English or French5
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 Scotia5
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 permit5
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 resident5

Factor 7: Nova Scotia Economic Priorities

Nova Scotia Economic PrioritiesPoints (maximum 10)
Export-oriented business5
Business located outside of Halifax County5
Business succession (Nova Scotia-based business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner for previous five years)5

Factor 8: Investment

InvestmentPoints (maximum 15)
$150,000 CAD – $300,000 CAD10
More than $300,000 CAD15

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