Settle in Nova Scotia as a graduate entrepreneur through NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. Check your eligibility today.
NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
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Book a Strategy MeetingInternational students who have graduated from the University of Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College and plan on acquiring and operating a business or starting and running a business in the province can apply through the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.
The IGE Stream of the NSNP is designed to attract emerging entrepreneurial talent to the province. Established entrepreneurs and senior business managers should apply for nomination through the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream.
Eligibility Requirements
Prospective applicants who wish to apply for immigration to Nova Scotia through the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream have to meet several qualifying requirements, including:
Age
Applicants must be at least 21 years old to apply for the program.
Work Permit
Applicants must have a valid post-graduation work permit.
Education
Applicants must have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma through a program at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College. The program must have spanned at least two years, and the applicant must have resided in Nova Scotia and attended in-person classes for the program.
Intent To Reside In The Province
The applicant must have the intention of permanently residing in Nova Scotia while owning and operating a business based in the province.
Work Experience
All applicants must have at least a year’s continuous experience in actively managing and owning a business, with at least one-third of ownership of the business.
Language Proficiency
Applicants need to have a score of at least 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in speaking, writing and comprehending the language. Additionally, applicants must have a score of at least 7 for reading and writing in English or French.
Expression of Interest
International graduate students applying for the program must fill out and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI).
Nova Scotia Office of Immigration Invitation
International graduate students applying for the program must receive an invitation from the NSOI to apply for the program after it reviews the applicant’s EOI.
Step-by-Step Process
The application process for NSNP’s International Graduate Entrepreneur Category involves several steps outlined below:
- Submit Expression of Interest
- NSOI Invitation to Apply
- In-Person Interview & Nomination
- Apply for Permanent Residence
1. Submit Expression of Interest
- International graduates wishing to apply for Nova Scotia Entrepreneurs Immigration through the International Graduate Category need to exhibit their interest in applying for it by submitting an EOI.
- The NSOI selects the EOIs of applicants and sends them an Invitation to Apply so they can begin the full application. Only applicants meeting the eligibility criteria can submit the EOI.
- The NSOI highly recommends that all applicants carefully read and understand the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Guide before submitting their EOI. The NSOI ranks applicant EOIs based on their points assessment score and places them in an EOI pool.
- Applicants who manage to acquire more points that could go towards a higher score for their EOIs must submit a new EOI after informing the NSOI.
2. NSOI Invitation to Apply
If the NSOI selects an applicant’s EOI, it will send an ITA letter to the applicant that contains their ITA File Number. Applicants must complete their application form as a part of their application to the NSOI and provide all supporting documents and a Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report. The application form for International Graduate Category can be found here.
It is important for applicants to ensure that they work with one of the Financial Statement Review Service Providers designated by the NSOI to review their financial statements and provide the necessary reports. Once applicants receive the completed reports, they must submit them to the NSOI as part of their application.
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3. In-Person Interview & Nomination
- The NSOI staff will contact applicants who appear to meet the requirements for the International Graduate Category for an in-person interview. The interview will take place within 15 days of the NSOI’s request. It will involve a site visit to the qualifying business that will be part of the prospective entrepreneur’s application.
- Provided that the NSNP Officer assessing an application deems that an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the program, the applicant can be nominated to receive a nomination for permanent residence in the country.
- The NSOI will send applicants a written correspondence informing them whether their interview was successful and if they will be nominated for permanent residence.
4. Apply for Permanent Residence
If an applicant is nominated by the Province of Nova Scotia, they have to fill out and submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa to the Centralized Intake Office within six months of receiving the letter of nomination by the NSOI. Applicants interested in applying for a permanent residence visa can apply through the form available here.
How ELAAR can help you?
Prospective international graduates who wish to apply for the Nova Scotia NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Category should get in touch with us. Our team of Regulated Immigration Consultants is familiar with each of NSNP programs and can help optimize your application and improve your chances of receiving a provincial nomination. Start your entrepreneurial journey in Nova Scotia with Elaar Immigration.
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Immigrate to Nova Scotia’s beautiful province as an international graduate, through NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.
