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