News release

Details Announced for Nominee Program Expanded Residency Refund

Immigration (Jan. 2005 - Feb. 2021)

All immigrants in the economic stream of the provincial nominee program who are still living in Nova Scotia after 12 consecutive months are now eligible to get back money they paid into the program.

Details of the expanded residency refund were announced today, Oct. 21, by Immigration Minister Len Goucher.

The residency refund option was introduced a year ago by the Office of Immigration to give individuals approved under the economic stream of the nominee program an alternative to completing a business mentorship with a local employer.

On Oct. 1, Mr. Goucher said that the residency refund would be expanded to include nominees, who signed employment contracts with Nova Scotia businesses before October 2007. Previously, only nominees who had not signed contracts at that time were eligible for the refund.

"We believe that nominees and their families, who have proven their commitment to Nova Scotia and building their futures here, should be eligible for the refund as well," said Mr. Goucher.

To qualify, individuals must have been approved under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program's economic stream, issued a permanent resident visa, and landed in Canada. They and their accompanying dependents must have resided in Nova Scotia on a regular basis for a minimum of 12 consecutive months before Oct. 1, 2008. They must also be living in Nova Scotia as of Oct. 1, 2008 and at the time of application and assessment.

Individuals who apply and qualify for the expanded residency refund will receive $100,000, less gross salary and other payments received as part of the business mentor component of the program. Each nominee paid $100,000 for the mentorship.

"Of course, I am very happy with the announcement made today, and with the fact that the nominees who participated in mentorships and are still living in Nova Scotia are now being included in the expanded residency refund option," said Jose Duenas, a nominee who participated in the business mentorship program prior to October 2007.

"I can see that this decision was made by the Government based on the criteria of fairness and doing the right thing for the nominees and their families," he said. "My family and I look forward to living and participating in our Nova Scotia community and to urging other people from our home countries to join us in this beautiful place."

A complete list of criteria is available on the Office of Immigration website at www.novascotiaimmigration.com .

All applications for the expanded residency refund must be submitted to the Office of Immigration by Jan. 5, 2009.