The NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is for graduates of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic. This stream is for those who have started or bought a local business.
They must run the business daily for at least one year to be eligible for a provincial nomination. To qualify for permanent residency, they must meet certain criteria set by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM).
If they meet the eligibility criteria, they can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which basically demonstrates that they wish to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador. Further, if the provincial government approves of their EOI, it may send them an invitation to apply for the nomination.
In this blog, we will walk you through each step of the process on how to apply, what are the eligibility requirements, and other information.
Documents Required for Nomination via NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
If you are applying for a nomination through the NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream, you need to have the following documents:
- Business Continuity Plan
- Business idea
- Commercial viability
- Sales and Marketing Plan
- Regulatory requirements
- Financial analysis
- Human Resources plan
- Operations plan
- Risk analysis
- Job creation
- Audit Opinion of Financial Statements and Special Purpose Report
- Passport
- Proof of legal status in Canada
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificates identifying both parents
- Adoption papers
- Signed lease/mortgage agreement
- Utility bills
- Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) Card
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Language Proficiency Test Results
- Supporting Business Documents
- Proof of Investment Documents
- Job Creation Documents
- Supporting Documents Required for Applicants Purchasing a Business
- Reference Letter (to prove work experience gained in Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Submit proof of relationship to a relative living in the province
NOTE:
- Not all these documents need to be submitted
- Documents submitted must be in English or French
- For a complete document checklist, call us.
Eligibility Requirements – NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The eligibility criteria for the NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream are as follows:
- be at least 21 years old
- submit a business continuity plan with verified financial documents
- hold a degree/diploma after 2+ years of full-time, in-person study at Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic (must be completed within 2 years of EOI submission)
- have a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit
- commit to live in Newfoundland and Labrador while owning and managing a business
- have at least 1 year of continuous experience managing and owning 33.3% of the business
- create at least 1 full-time job for Canadian PRs or citizens
- operate a profitable business which must focus on selling goods or services
- score CLB 7+ in English or French
- complete an online Expression of Interest
- receive an Invitation to Apply from the OIM
- applicants who support regional development or high-demand industries are prioritized
Business Criteria to Meet
The following are the business criteria which the applicant has to meet:
- Own, operate, and manage a business in the province for at least 1 continuous year before they submit an EOI
- Own at least 33.3% equity and manage the business daily
- Earn a salary from the business which meets at least the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
- The business must generate revenue and profits to ensure economic stability in the province
- Submit an Audit Opinion and Special Purpose Report from a certified auditor to prove financial health
The applicant’s business must meet some requirements well. These businesses:
- Must be started as a career objective; businesses created solely for immigration purposes are ineligible
- Must be a for-profit entity with the primary purpose of earning profits through the sale of goods or services
- Have to comply with the legal requirements of the community where it operates
- Must qualify as a “permanent establishment”
- Needs to pay income tax on taxable income earned from the “permanent establishment”
- Must be actively managed by the applicant
- Must have the potential to create significant economic benefits for the province
Some additional requirements depend on the fact whether you would be starting a new business or purchasing an existing one.
| Starting a new business | Purchasing an existing one |
|---|---|
| Must create at least one full-time, year-round job for a Canadian citizen or PR | The business must have been in continuous operation for the last 5 years by the same owner |
| The job must be in addition to the position held by the applicant | Applicants must prove they made efforts to establish business’s fair market value |
| The job must be relevant and directly tied to the applicant’s business | The business must be actively operational |
| The job must meet provincial wage levels | Applicants must maintain existing staff employment terms |
Criteria for Partnership
- Up to three partners can apply under one application
- Partners can include international graduates, Canadian citizens, or permanent residents
- Applicants seeking permanent residency must own at least 33.3% of the business
Application Process
Follow the steps below to gain permanent residency through the NLPNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream:
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 2: Receive an ITA
Step 3: Get Nominated
Step 4: Apply for PR
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
To Submit an EOI:
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for this category.
- Review the points grid before completing the EOI.
- Submit your EOI. The system will calculate your score, and your EOI will enter a pool.
- Ensure all answers are truthful and up-to-date.
- Submitting an EOI is free.
- EOIs are ranked and remain in the pool for 12 months. If not selected within this time, you can submit a new EOI.
Step 2: Receive an ITA
Once your EOI is approved, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a completed application for nomination:
After receiving the ITA, follow these steps:
- Complete an Application
- Upload Supporting Documents
- Attach Business Continuity Plan
- Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report, which is
- prepared by a licensed verifier under the province’s Chartered Professional Accountants and Public Accountants Act, and
- must include:
- Financial viability and sustainability of the business
- Recommendations for improvement
- Analysis of any financial or operational issues
- Business review
- Submit written directions to the verifier to send these reports directly to OIM
Step 3: Get Nominated
If you meet the eligibility criteria, OIM will invite you to an in-person interview.
- It includes a Site Visit to your eligible business.
- It is expected to occur within 15 business days of OIM’s request.
- Your application will be closed if you don’t participate within the given timeframe.
- If the interview is unsuccessful, your application will be closed.
Step 4: Apply for PR
Once OIM nominates you, apply for Canada PR! You have to apply to the IRCC for permanent residency, as the provincial governments do not handle PR applications.
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