Residency & Golden Visas / Canada / Route
Canada · Investment route
Invest from CAD $100,000 outside Halifax, or CAD $150,000 within it, operate the business for a year, and be nominated for Canadian permanent residency.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream (NSNP) lets business owners and managers start, buy, or run a business in Nova Scotia. It provides a path to Canadian PR through active business management and job creation. Applicants first get a temporary work permit and may apply for PR after one year.
What you getالمزايا
Direct pathway to Canadian PR through business setup.
Lower thresholds outside Halifax: CAD $100,000 investment and CAD $400,000 net worth.
Opportunities in tech, manufacturing, and ocean sectors.
Family can live, work, and study in Nova Scotia.
Government and community support for entrepreneurs.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
Minimum investment (Halifax Regional Municipality)
Before application · At least CAD $150,000 of personal funds to establish a business inside HRM.
Minimum investment (outside HRM)
Before application · At least CAD $100,000 of personal funds if the business is outside Halifax Regional Municipality.
Net worth requirement (HRM)
Pre-qualification · Verified net worth of at least CAD $600,000 for a business inside HRM.
Net worth requirement (outside HRM)
Pre-qualification · Verified net worth of at least CAD $400,000 for a business outside HRM.
NSNP entrepreneur application fee
After Invitation to Apply · Introduced 1 September 2026. Non-refundable, no waivers. Payable within 90 days of an Invitation to Apply for a new business, or 180 days when purchasing an existing one. There is no fee to submit an EOI.
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Be 21 or older and intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia.
3 years actively managing and owning a business with at least one-third ownership, or more than 5 years in a senior business management role.
Net worth of CAD $600,000 (HRM) or CAD $400,000 (outside HRM), and investment of CAD $150,000 (HRM) or CAD $100,000 (outside).
CLB 5 in speaking, listening, reading and writing, in English or French.
Submit an Expression of Interest and receive an Invitation to Apply — the stream is invitation-only — then actively manage the business for 12 months before nomination.
Proof of funds
Who cannot apply
No active business ownership or senior management experience.
Net worth that cannot be independently verified, or unclear fund sources.
Failure to meet Business Performance Agreement terms.
Language score below CLB 5 in English or French.
The processكيف نعمل
Submit EOI & Receive ITA
Submit your Expression of Interest and wait for an invitation.
Verify Net Worth & Submit Application
Get your financials verified and submit your business plan.
Attend Interview & Sign Agreement
Discuss your plan and sign the Business Performance Agreement.
Obtain Work Permit & Start Business
Apply for a work permit and operate your business for 12 months.
Get Nomination & Apply for PR
Receive nomination and apply for Permanent Residency.
Risk notes
Application is by invitation only. Expressions of interest sit in a pool and are chosen in periodic draws — selection is not first-come, first-served and is not guaranteed.
The CAD $2,000 application fee is non-refundable even if the application is refused, and no waivers or exemptions are available.
Any EOI selected for assessment on or after 1 September 2026 attracts the fee, regardless of when the EOI was submitted.
Compliance
Nova Scotia introduced NSNP application fees on 1 September 2026: CAD $2,000 for the entrepreneur stream and CAD $1,000 for the worker streams. There is no fee to submit an EOI.
Expressions of interest have carried a 12-month validity period since 1 May 2026.
The NSNP consolidated its streams in February 2026, with the portal closed from 13 to 18 February 2026. The Entrepreneur stream continues after the consolidation.
The NSNP publishes no refundable good-faith deposit requirement for this stream.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
CAD $150,000 inside the Halifax Regional Municipality, or CAD $100,000 outside it.
Start the Canada route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.