Frequently Asked Questions About Nova Scotia Nominee Program

1. What is the Nova Scotia Nominee Program?

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is a program that allows Nova Scotia to nominate immigrants to fill the economic and labour market needs of the province. See the Nova Scotia nominee program here.

2. What is the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream?

This stream is for experienced business owners and senior business managers looking to start or acquire a business in Nova Scotia where they will actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream is a temporary to permanent residence program whereby approved applicants operate a business in Nova Scotia on a valid work permit for at least one continuous year prior to being nominated for permanent residence in Canada.

3. How does a potential applicant qualify for the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream?

To qualify under the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream, applicants must:

• Have a minimum $600,000 CAD in Net Business and Personal Assets, verified by NSOI designated third party professionals;
• Have a minimum of three years of business ownership experience including 33.33 percent ownership OR greater than five years of experience in a senior business manager role in the last 10 years;
• Agree to make a minimum capital investment of $150,000 CAD to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia
• Have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma OR an equivalent foreign credential verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), which is dated within the five years prior to the date of EOI submission
• Have a Business Establishment Plan and be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the plan;
• Agree to reside in Nova Scotia.

Additionally, there are a number of requirements that must be met in order for the business to be considered eligible.

4. What businesses are not eligible for 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.

5. How long will it take to process Nova Scotia PNP?

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program application process is designed for speed and simplicity. The application pathway and process largely determines the time taken for the complete assessment of the application. However, the average time for completing the process is around 9 to 12 months.

6. What is an open work permit?

An open work permit allows an immigrant to accept employment in Canada without the need of a LMIA. Once applicants have been nominated by the NSNP, their spouses can apply for an open work permit. The permit allows them to work for any employer and in any occupation.

Post Graduate Work Permit which is given to international students who have successfully completed their studies in Canada. The students apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit of up to 3 years. This work permit allows them to work for any employer and in any occupation without the requirement of an LMIA.

7. When I can apply for Canada permanent residency?

After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.

8. When am I eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) allows you to apply for Canadian Citizenship after you have been a physical resident of Canada for three years (1095 days) out of the four years immediately preceding your application. Where exceptional circumstances exist, however, you may be allowed to apply even if you have not been physically resident in Canada for the required 1095 days

9. Will my time in Canada before becoming a Permanent Resident count towards my Citizenship application?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recognizes time spent legally in Canada prior to becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident towards the calculation of the 1095 days required to qualify for Canadian Citizenship. Within the four years prior to applying for Canadian Citizenship, each day spent in Canada as a non-Immigrant (i.e. as a visitor, international student, temporary worker) is counted as half a day, up to a maximum total credit of one year. Each day spent in Canada as a Permanent Resident is counted as one whole day.

10. Will Canadian Citizenship make me eligible to work in the US, Mexico, or Chile?

Under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), qualified Canadian citizens can benefit from facilitated admission into the US, Mexico and Chile for business and work-related purposes.

11. What are the main industries in Nova Scotia, Canada?

Read article about Nova Scotia’s economy

12. What are some of the advantages of obtaining Canadian Citizenship?

Unlike Canadian Permanent Residents, Canadian citizens have no residency obligations. Canadian citizens cannot lose their status unless it was obtained through material misrepresentation.

Canadian citizens also receive Canadian passports and are entitled to vote in federal elections.

13. Is it expensive to live Nova scotia?

Read article about Cost of living in Nova Scotia

14. What is the healthcare like in Nova Scotia?

Read the article about Healthcare in Nova Scotia

15. How many schools are in Nova Scotia?

Read article about education in Nova Scotia 

16. What is the weather like in Nova Scotia?

Read more in article Weather in Nova Scotia