Saturday, August 24, 2024

CANADA - Business and investment immigration programs in Canada

 

Business & Investment immigration

There are a number of options available to people looking to start or acquire a business in Canada, or to make an investment there. By choosing any of the available programs, you can apply directly to a province or territory where you would like to live, or you can apply through the Federal Start-up Visa program.

The following tables list the different programs that are available for your consideration:

 

Federal Start-Up Visa Program

Program

Start-Up Visa Program 

Minimum Net Worth

N/A

Minimum Investment

CAD $200,000 when the investment is provided by a  designated Canadian venture capital fund or designated incubators OR CAD $75,000 if it is provided by a designated Canadian angel investor group

Required Experience

No specified  requirements

Expression Of Interest

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

None

Exploratory Visit

Not required

Interview

Upon request by IRCC

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

PR immediately

Additional Requirements

Must have  support of a designated organization that will provide the applicant with a Letter of Support.

Provide   proof of sufficient funds to support yourself  and your dependents upon  arrival in Canada.

Federal Self-Employed Persons Program

Program

Self-Employed Person Program 

Minimum Net Worth

N/A

Minimum Investment

Not required

Experience Required

At least 2 years of relevant cultural or athletic experience in the past 5 years

Expression Of Interest

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

None

Exploratory Visit

Not required

Interview

Upon request by IRCC

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

PR immediately

Additional Requirements

English/French ability and work experience in a designated occupation

Provide proof  of  sufficient funds to support yourself and  your family members for at least one year arrival in Canada.

Obtain a minimum of 35 points out of 100 based on the five selection criteria and the program’s unique point system.

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Program

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $500,000 in a primary production farming business

Experience

Farm management experience in an existing farm business

Expression Of Interest

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Recommended

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

Canadian financial institution must finance the proposed Alberta farming business

 

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration Stream

Program

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $600,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $200,000 OR CAD $400,000 if proposing a Key Staff Member

Experience

3 + years of business ownership or management experience OR 4 + years of senior management experience OR 1+ year of business ownership & management experience and 2+ years of senior management experience within the last 10 years.

Expression Of Interest

Yes (province publishes info on previous draws)

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Recommended

Interview

Upon request of BC PNP

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

Must complete a 2-year work period before Letter of Acceptance to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) is issued ; PR contingent upon successful  implementation of the business proposal

Additional Requirements

Create at least one permanent, full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with the proposed business

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot

Program

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot (launched on March 14, 2019)

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $300,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $100,000

Experience

3 + years of business ownership or management experience OR 4 + years of senior management experience OR1+ year of business ownership & management experience and 2+ years of senior management experience within the last 10 years.

Expression Of Interest

Yes (province publishes info on previous draws)

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Strongly Recommended

Interview

Upon request of BC PNP

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

A minimum 12-month work permit period before nomination is required ; PR contingent on implementation of business proposal

Additional Requirements

Community referral required to register; Must create at least one permanent, full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)

Program

Manitoba Business Investor Stream — Entrepreneur Pathway

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $250,000 for a business in the Manitoba Capital Region

CAD $150,000 for a business  outside Manitoba Capital Region

Must be made in an eligible business AND  should  create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives).

Experience

Business ownership and management experience or executive-level experience in 3 of the past 5 years.  Business owners are awarded  higher points in comparison to senior managers.  Business owners must have at least 33.3% ownership to qualify.

Expression Of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Business research visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of an EOI.

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not Required

PR/Work permit

Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Score 60+ points on assessment grid
CAD $100,000 refundable deposit is not a requirement anymore.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)

Program

Manitoba Business Investor Stream — Farm Investor Pathway

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $300,000 tangible assets to establish a farming business in rural Manitoba AND investments in a farm business operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income or speculative purposes are not eligible.

Experience

Minimum of three years of farm business management or farm ownership and operation experience supported by verifiable documents.

Expression Of Interest System

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Farm Business Research Visit required.

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

CAD $75,000

PR/Work permit

Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

CAD $100,000 refundable deposit is no longer required.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurial Stream

Program

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurial Stream

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $600,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $250,000

Experience

3 out of 5 years or more in owning a business OR 5 out of 5 years or more in a senior business management role

Expression Of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required, must be of economic benefit to the province

Exploratory Visit

Required

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

CAD $100,000

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

22-55 years old
CLB 5 in English or French in reading, writing, listening and speaking

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

Program

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

Minimum Net Worth

N/A

Minimum Investment

The applicant must have 100% ownership of the equity of the eligible business

Experience

6 or more years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B OR 1-5 years in the last 10 years in the NOC O, A or B

Expression Of Interest System

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

May be requested (business must be of economic benefit to the province)

Exploratory Visit

Not specified

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not specified

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

22-40 years old
Attain a CLB 7 in English or French in reading, writing, listening and speaking
Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream

Program

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $600,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $150,000

Experience

At least 3 years of business ownership experience including 33.3% ownership in the last 10 years OR 
+5 years as senior manager in the last 10 years

Expression Of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Required for business succession only

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

Must operate business for at least 1 year on work permit following nomination; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
The business must meet additional criteria
English/French minimum CLB 5

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Program

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Minimum Net Worth

N/A

Minimum Investment

100% ownership of the equity of the eligible business

Experience

At least 1 continuous year of business ownership experience in Nova Scotia prior to EOI submission.
Must have obtained a degree of at least 2 years’ duration at a university/college in Nova Scotia

Expression Of Interest

Yes (province may publish info on draws after future draws are made; EOI must be submitted while on valid work permit)

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

None

Exploratory Visit

Required

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

The business must meet additional criteria .
English/French minimum CLB 7

Northwest Territories Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Business Stream

Program

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) — Entrepreneur Business Stream

Minimum Net Worth

For businesses in Yellowknife: CAD $500,000 OR for businesses outside Yellowknife: CAD $250,000

Minimum Investment

In Yellowknife: CAD $300,000 & at least 33.3% ownership OR outside Yellowknife: CAD $150,000 & at least 33.3% ownership OR CAD $1,000,000 investment

Experience

Relevant business experience required

Expression Of Interest System

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Required

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

CAD $75,000

PR/Work permit

2-year work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

CLB 4 in English or French

Business must generate significant benefits for the Northwest Territories, including jobs for local residents.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Corporate Stream

Program

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)  

 

 Corporate Stream

Minimum Net Worth

None

Minimum Investment

CAD $5,000,000 OR CAD $10,000,000 if the proposed business is a land development or a leasehold company

Experience

The international corporation must have been established for at least 36 months at the time of application

Expression Of Interest System

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Encouraged

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

Applicant & key staff first obtain work permits; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Create 5 new jobs for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident per key staff member seeking nomination

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur Stream

Program

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)  

 

 Entrepreneur Stream

Minimum Net Worth

Businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): CAD $1,500,000.

Businesses outside the GTA: CAD $800,000

Businesses in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location): CAD $800,000

Minimum Investment

In the GTA: CAD $1,000,000 and ownership of 33.3% of the business OR Outside the GTA: $500,000 and ownership of 33.3% of the business OR In the ICT/Digital Communications sector: $500,000 and ownership of 33.3% of the business

Experience

At least 36 months of full-time business experience in the last five years as business owner or senior manager

Expression of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Required for business succession only

Interview

Required upon request of OINP

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Sign a Performance Agreement with Ontario
English/French minimum CLB 4
Create at least 2 permanent, full-time jobs for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Work Permit Stream

Program

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Work Permit Stream

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $600,000

Minimum Investment

N/A

Experience

Management experience required

Expression Of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Recommended

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

CAD $7,500 of $10,000 application fee is refunded if application is declined or withdrawn.

PR/Work permit

Letter of support from the province to apply for a work permit.

Obtain nomination once all of the terms and conditions of Performance Agreement are met.

Additional Requirements

CLB 4 in English or French; minimum education of secondary school equivalent

21-59 years old

Refundable Deposit

CAD $200,000

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

CLB 4 in English or French
21-59 years old

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category

Program

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000

Minimum Investment

CAD $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon and at least 33.3% ownership OR $200,000 in any other Saskatchewan community and at least 33.3% ownership OR CAD $1,000,000 investment or more

Experience

At least 3 years’ experience as an entrepreneur or managing a business in the past 10 years

Expression of Interest

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Required for business succession, joint ventures, and regional business opportunities

Interview

Upon request by SINP

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

2-year work permit; PR contingent upon meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Sign a Performance Agreement
Create 2+ employment opportunities if establishing a business in Regina or Saskatoon

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category

Program

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000

Minimum Investment

N/A

Experience

Farming operation ownership experience using agricultural practices similar to those used in Saskatchewan-based farming

Expression of Interest

No

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Farm Establishment Plan (FEP) required

Exploratory Visit

Required

Interview

Upon request

Refundable Deposit

CAD $75,000

PR/Work permit

PR after obtaining nomination certificate

Additional Requirements

Submit a Farm Establishment Plan
Sign a Performance Agreement

Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)

Program

Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)

Minimum Net Worth

CAD $500,000 (including CAD $300,000 in liquid assets)

Minimum Investment

CAD $300,000 and at least 1/3 ownership with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident partner

Experience

Minimum of 3 years entrepreneurial/business management experience & minimum of 5 years relevant work experience

EOI System

Yes

Managerial Role

Required

Business Plan

Required

Exploratory Visit

Recommended, applicants are awarded points for past visits

Interview

Required

Refundable Deposit

Not required

PR/Work permit

2-year work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements

Additional Requirements

Business must be in a strategic sector, as identified by the territory
Must score 65+ points on assessment grid

CANADA - Business and investment immigration programs in Canada

  Business & Investment immigration There are a number of options available to people looking to start or acquire a business in Canada...