The Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for foreign students who have graduated from an NS university. These students might still be eligible to apply for a provincial nomination if they graduated from Nova Scotia Community College.
To be eligible for a nomination through this stream, the student must have started or bought a Nova Scotia business for at least 12 months.
To apply, the student must first receive an invitation to apply. For this, they will complete and submit an Expression of Interest first.
The International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is one of the several Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams that offer immigration pathways to skilled workers, international students, and entrepreneurs.
Eligibility Requirement of Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
To be eligible for this stream, an applicant must meet these requirements:
- They intend to settle in Nova Scotia
- Stay in Nova Scotia while they are managing their business
- They must have completed their degree or diploma, which took them 2 years to complete.
- They must have completed in-person studies at Nova Scotia University or Nova Scotia Community College.
- They need a score of at least CLB 7 in language abilities
- The applicant needs to have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- They need at least 1-year’s worth of work experience in managing and owning a business.
- The applicant needs to file an online Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Receive an invite to apply
Document Checklist – International Graduate Entrepreneur
You need the following documents to apply to the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream:
- eNSNP 100
- NSNP 200
- NSNP 50
- NSNP 60
- Engagement and Special Purpose Report
- Supporting business documents
- incorporation documents
- business registration license
- proof of registration with tax authorities
- shareholders agreement
- Share certificates
- signed franchise agreement
- company brochure (if there’s one)
- record of share transfers (if any)
- shareholders registry (if relevant)
- detailed list of products and services
- statement of inventory with a related photo
- income statements
- photos of the inside and outside of your business’s physical location
- Documentation for buying a business
- notice of change of officers and directors
- purchase and sale agreement
- up-to-date registration with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies
- a list of current employees with salaries, benefits, working hours per week
- Proof of fair market value for buying the business
- Documents related to investment in business
- bank statements
- receipts for business property
- Proof of past work experience gained in Nova Scotia by the applicant or their spouse
- Reference letters
- Academic credentials
- Language test results (must not be older than 2 years)
- If your spouse is accompanying you, their language test results
- Passports
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Statutory declaration of a common-law union form copy
- Custody documents
- Adoption papers
- Documents that prove your residence in the province
- If your family is living in Nova Scotia, documents to prove their residence
Since this is not an exhaustive list of documents, the applicant may likely need to submit additional documents when asked for. Further, it is required that these documents are either in English or French.
Application Process – NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Follow the steps mentioned below to apply to the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream:
- Prepare the Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Score enough points on the selection grid
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Apply to NSNP: International Graduate Entrepreneur stream
- If your business meets the requirements, you will be invited to attend an interview
- Apply for Canada PR once you are nominated
International Graduate Entrepreneur – Processing Time & Fee
The processing time of Nova Scotia’s International Graduate Entrepreneur stream is a little over 6 months. Once you receive the nomination, it will be valid for the next 12 months and within this time, you must apply for permanent residence.
There is no application fee for International Graduate Entrepreneur.
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