International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP)

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP) is for people who:

• Firstly, graduated from a recognized Nova Scotia University or a community college in Nova Scotia;
  • Also, the study program is full time and for a minimum of 2 years.
• Secondly, have or are running a business in the province;
• Also, are running their business for a minimum of 12 months;
• Besides, they want to settle in Nova Scotia.

Which businesses can not apply to this program?

Your business can not qualify for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP) program if it is:

• A business that is run/managed from outside Canada or Nova Scotia;
• Property, rental, leasing, and investment activities;
• Real estate construction/brokerage/development, insurance, or business brokerage. NSOI will allow running this business if the applicant proves the business will surely benefit the province;
• Any self-employed businesses or professional services that need licenses and accreditation;
• Payday loan, cheque cashing, cash machines and money changing;
• Credit unions;
• Pawnbrokers;
• Home-based business, unless the applicant proves its profitability;
• Cooperatives;
• Investment in a business run for only getting passive income;
• Explicit business activities – production, distribution and or supply;
• Joint ventures between applicants of NSNP program;
• Also, any other business that brings disrepute to the Nova Scotia government or NSNP.

What are the terms you must meet to apply to the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP)?

You can apply to this program if you meet the following terms:

Terms for Applicants

• Firstly, must have completed a minimum of 2 years (15 hours per week) study program. The program must have been completed from a recognized Nova Scotia university or community college in the province;
  • Besides, during your study period you must be living in the province;
• Secondly, must show intent to live and settle in Nova Scotia. Also, the program does not take distance-learning or compressed learning study programs;
• Also, have a minimum language skill level of CLB 7 or higher in English or French. Give one of the test results from IELTS, CELPIP, TCF, TEF. Also, these test results must not be more than 2 years old at the time of applying.
• Besides, must be 21 years old or more;
• Finally, at the time of application, you must have a valid Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP);

Terms for Business and Finance

Also, you must:

• Firstly, own and run a business in the province for a minimum of continuous 12 months;
• Secondly, must own 33.33% or 1/3^rd of the business equity. Also, you must be actively involved in the day to day operations and decision-making activities of the business.
• Also, must be getting a salary from the business which at least meets the Low-Income Cut-Off as per Statistics Canada;
• Further, the business must be in good financial health and must be profitable.

Terms for Applicant’s Proposed Business

In addition to the above, applicants must meet the following terms of this stream:

• The business started must have been as a carrier objective and not for immigration;
• Business must meet the legal terms of the province;
• This business must be for earning profits by the sale of good and services;
• And must be permanent under subsection 400(2) of the Canadian Income Tax Regulations, 1985;
• Must comply with the rules and regulations of tax authorities;
• Business must be actively run from the province and not outside Nova scotia or Canada;
• Besides, the business must grow the province such as:
  • Add value to manufacturing or processing, exports, destination tourism, research and development, and technology commercialization;
  • Develop innovative ways to grow traditional businesses
  • Transfer technology and specialized knowledge to the province.
  • Provide products or services to a local or regional market.

IGE stream Expression of Interest (EOI) Points Grid

The following are the factors that all applicant must meet to submit an EOI profile to the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP).

Language Skills

To prove your language skills, you can submit valid language test results for English and French from:

• IELTS (English)
• CELPIP (English)
• TCF (French)
• TEF (French)

Education Level

Work Experience

Age

Adaptability

Nova Scotia Economic Priorities