Residency & Golden Visas / Canada / Route
Canada · Residency 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
Advising UAE residents on Canadian immigration from our Dubai office.
Overview
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.
Program Highlights
- PR Pathway: Through business ownership.
- Investment: CAD $150,000 inside the Halifax Regional Municipality, or CAD $100,000 outside it.
- Net worth: CAD $600,000 inside the Halifax Regional Municipality, or CAD $400,000 outside it.
- Application fee: CAD $2,000, payable after an Invitation to Apply (from 1 September 2026).
- Sectors: Tech, ocean, manufacturing, services.
- Family Benefits: Full work, study, and residence rights.
- Government Support: Guidance and settlement help.
Why XIPHIAS Immigration
XIPHIAS assists entrepreneurs in preparing EOIs, verifying funds, planning business operations, and securing PR under Nova Scotia’s Entrepreneur Stream.
Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Program
One of the thirteen astounding provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, offers the best life to its residents with its low cost of living and sustainable economy. Compared to most provinces, Nova Scotia has one of the most affordable living costs and provides the best environment to raise your family. This province is well known for its rich culture and vibrant art scenes. And with the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program(NSNP), you can be a part of this colourful and stunning province. The Nova Scotia Immigration Nominee Program provides workers with extraordinary skills, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified graduates who wish to work and settle in Nova Scotia. Through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, the province nominates individuals with the skills and experience needed for the prosperity of the local labour market. Let’s learn further about the Nova Scotia PNP as we go on.
Nova Scotia Immigration Nominee Program
As mentioned above, the Nova Scotia PNP is designed to attract skilled workers, experienced business owners, and qualified graduates who can contribute to the economy of Nova Scotia. But why Nova Scotia? Let’s see:
- Access to affordable yet high quality of life.
- Proximity to major urban centers, providing both rural charm and urban amenities.
- Lower crime rate.
- Strong communities.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Program can be your golden ticket to a new and better life! Our Nova Scotia PNP immigration consultants at XIPHIAS can make your journey smooth and hassle-free! We are determined to take every step meticulously so that you can comfortably plan your immigration dreams. And XIPHIAS will promptly, answer all your immigration queries.
Nova Scotia Express Entry Program
The Nova Scotia Express Entry Program complies with the federal Express Entry system. This stream is meant mainly for highly skilled workers with a strong educational background, language proficiency and extensive work experience. The Nova Scotia Express Entry system uses the same Comprehensive Ranking system, and applicants must have a high score to expedite their nomination process. Under the Express Entry system, candidates create an online profile outlining their skills, work experience, education, language ability, and other relevant information. Based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), candidates are assigned a score, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Nova Scotia PNP Requirements, Eligibility, Fees and Processing Time
There are certain criteria that individuals must fulfil to be eligible for the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program. Those include:
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Applicants must be roughly between the ages of 21 and 55 at the time of application.
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Applicants are required to at least have completed their high school education (some streams may require even higher educational qualifications).
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They must have relevant work experience in a designated occupation or field as required by the stream that they’re applying to.
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Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French. They can appear for the following language assessment tests: IELTS (English), CELPIP (English), or TEF (French).
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Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in working and settling in Nova Scotia. They can present their valid job offers from Nova Scotia employers, previous study experience, etc.
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Applicants must present that they have sufficient funds to provide for themselves and their families in Nova Scotia.
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Nova Scotia PNP- Express Entry stream: No fees.
Contact with Nova Scotia PNP Immigration Consultants
Navigating through the application processes and documentation can be extremely hectic and frustrating if you’re not working with the right consultants. But that is why our Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program consultants are here for you. We will respond to all your queries and prepare every necessary document while you patiently wait and relax. No matter what your concern is, Nova Scotia immigration or any other program, our team of seasoned professionals will always answer your questions promptly and accurately. Reach out to our team for the best services and enjoy your journey to Nova Scotia while our Nova Scotia experts do the tough job.
Our nova Scotia PNP Immigration consultants will reply your inquiry within 48 hours and provide you with FREE phone Consultation Service.
Talk to a Canada immigration consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families on Canadian permanent residency since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents applying from the Emirates. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022.
If you want a straight answer on whether this route suits your profile, our immigration consultants in Dubai will give you one — including when the answer is no.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from an official government source:
- Government of Nova Scotia — Entrepreneur stream eligibility
- Government of Nova Scotia — NSNP application fees effective 1 September 2026
- Government of Nova Scotia — Nova Scotia Nominee Program
Checked 29 September 2026.
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.