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NSNP-B
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - Business Category
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream is aimed to attract individuals who wish to start their business and settle permanently in Nova Scotia.
Entrepreneur Stream Criteria
- Age: 21 years of age or older;
- Minimum Official Languages Proficiency: CLB5;
- Minimum net worth: CAD 600,000;
- Education: 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 Expression of Interest (EOI) submission;
- Experience: have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role; and
- Minimum Investment: CAD 150,000.
Business Entrepreneur Stream Criteria
- The applicant must own at least 1/3 of the business;
- The applicant must provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business 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 countries;
- 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 meet the legal requirements of the community in which it operates;
- 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; and
- The business must have the potential to create an economic benefit to Nova Scotia. For example:
- Increasing value-added through 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.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The International Graduate Entrepreneur (IGE) Stream is open to recent graduates of a recognized university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College and who have already started or purchased a business in the province.
IGE Stream Criteria
- Age: 21 years of age or older;
- Minimum Official Languages Proficiency: CLB7;
- Minimum net worth: N/A;
- Education: Have completed a full-time Nova Scotia post-secondary diploma or degree of at least two years in length from a recognized university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College;
- Experience: At least 1 continuous year of business ownership experience in Nova Scotia prior to EOI submission;
- Minimum Investment: 100% ownership of the equity of the eligible business;
- The business must have been started as a career objective; Those created solely for immigration purposes are ineligible;
- Meet the legal requirements of the community in which the business will operate;
- Be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods and/or services;
- Be considered a “permanent establishment” as defined under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985;
- Be 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;
- Be actively managed by the applicant from the place of business in Nova Scotia; and
- Have the potential to create significant economic benefits to the province of Nova Scotia.