There is a total of six steps in the application process and these steps are as follows:

Step 1: Applicants have to submit an Express of Interest (EOI) profile to the Immigration office of Nova Scotia. EOI profile of the candidates will be created by submitting the credentials like about their business ownership or management experience, language proficiency, educational qualification, investment, age, adaptability, and business. Applicants who are able to meet the criteria will be able to submit an EOI. The candidate’s EOI profile will be awarded points based on the point matrix. EOI profiles are then submitted into the EOI pool with the profiles of the other candidates. EOIs can remain in the pool for a period of one year from the date of receipt. 

Step 2: As mentioned before, profiles of the candidates are awarded points based on the point matrix. The highest scoring profiles are notified by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) that they are given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to submit their application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Complete application submitted then will be assessed by NSOI. In order for the application to be complete, it must contain:

• Complete application form (submitted within 90 days of issuance of ITA letter);
• Supporting documentation (submitted within 90 days of issuance of ITA letter);
• Business Establishment Plan (submitted within 90 days of issuance of ITA letter); and
• Net worth verification report that is prepared by one of NSOI’s designated Net Worth Verifiers (submitted within 180 days of issuance of ITA letter)

Step 3: After the successful assessment of the application by the NSOI, the candidate will be contacted for an in-person interview with an official of NSOI. All the interviews will be held in the province of Nova Scotia and are expected to take place within 60 days of being contacted. On successfully finishing the interview, the candidate will be sent a Business Performance Agreement which is to be reviewed and signed by the candidate. 

A business Performance Agreement is a legal agreement with the province that mentions the amount of investment the candidate will make and the business sector in which the business will operate, along with other major information. 

Once the NSOI receives a receipt of the Business Performance Agreement, the candidate will be issued an Entrepreneur Approval Letter and instructions to apply for a work permit to the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Step 4: On successfully landing the work permit, applicants will be able to land in the province of Nova Scotia with their family members and can settle, and start or acquire their business. For this, applicants are given a time duration of 1 year on receiving the Entrepreneur Approval letter or their file will be closed. Applicants are also required to attend an arrival meeting with an NSOI officer within 60 days of their arrival. 

Step 5: Once the applicants are able to satisfy the conditions of business agreements, then they are able to apply to be nominated for permanent residency in the province via NSNP by submitting a Nomination Request Form. In case the applicant is nominated by the NSNP:

• The applicant will receive a letter to confirm their nomination that is issued by NSOI
• Proof of Nomination which is sent directly to IRCC by NSOI, which expires within 6 months of the date of issuance

Step 6: On getting the nomination, the applicant will be able to apply to IRCC for permanent residence within six months. It is to be noted that NSNP nomination does not give assurance for getting the Permanent Resident Visa. When the application is approved by the visa office, then the candidate is issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence.