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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor
Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
Program |
|
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 |
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 |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream
Program |
|
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 |
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) |
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. |
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 . |
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
Program |
|
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 |