Canadian Business Immigration Programs at a Glance

Canadian provincial governments, as well as the federal government, promote business immigration through investment and entrepreneurship.

Certain provinces have their own business immigration categories within their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Certain Canadian provinces will nominate applicants for permanent residence under their respective business immigration programs. If you are interested in living in one of the provinces listed below, or in applying to immigrate, please review and compare the eligibility requirements and application processes.

The following table shows the current basic information for the full range of currently Canadian business immigration programs. Compare the programs and learn which is best suited to your circumstances or call us for free assessment today and we will determine which programs are available to you based on your unique qualifications and interests.

• Expression of Interest = EOI (this denotes a system whereby eligible candidates formally express their interest in the program but must be invited before submitting an application)
• Permanent Residence = PR

Federal Start-Up Visa Program

Federal Self-Employed Persons Program

Program	Self-Employed Person Program
Minimum Net Worth	None
Minimum Investment	Not required
Experience	At least 2 years of relevant cultural or athletic experience in the past 5 years
EOI System	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

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
EOI 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

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur Stream

Program	Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur 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
EOI 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

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

Program	Quebec Immigrant Investor Program – A new application intake period began on September 10, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 15, 2019.
Minimum Net Worth	CAD $2,000,000
Minimum Investment	CAD $1,200,000 risk-free through an approved financial intermediary or by financing that investment.
Experience	2 years of business management experience in the past 5 years prior to the submission of an application in a specific enterprise (agricultural, commercial, or industrial, OR management experience in a governmental or international organization) and in a position defined as full-time.
EOI System	No
Managerial Role	No active managerial role required to apply
Business Plan	None
Exploratory Visit	Recommended
Interview	May be required as part of the application review.
Refundable Deposit	Not required
PR/Work permit	PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
Additional Requirements	Background check and medical examination

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Program	Quebec Entrepreneur Program — A new application intake period began on August 15, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2019.
Minimum Net Worth*	CAD $900,000 of financial resources.
Business ownership/operation*	Holds and controls, alone or with the accompanying spouse or common-law partner at minimum 25% of the equity of the enterprise he or she creates or at least 51% of the equity of the enterprise he or she acquires.
EOI System	No
Managerial Role	Required
Business Project	Required
Exploratory Visit	Recommended
Interview	Required as a final step in the application process
Start-up deposit*	CAD $300,000 for a business in the the metropolitan area of Montreal or CAD $200,000 for a business outside the metropolitan area of Montreal.
PR/Work permit	PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
Additional Requirements	Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency and demonstrate a secondary school general diploma level of education.
	Provide a performance guarantee deposit of $200,000 that is refundable if certain conditions are met.*

* This requirement apply only to Component Two of the Entrepreneur program.

Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program

Program	Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program — A new application intake period began on August 15, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2019.
Minimum Net Worth	CAD $100,000
Minimum Investment	Not required
Experience	2 years of self-employed experience in the profession or trade the applicant intends to practice in Quebec
EOI System	No
Managerial Role	Required
Business Plan	None
Exploratory Visit	Recommended
Interview	May be required as part of the application review
Start-up deposit	Register a start-up deposit of at least CAD $50,000 at a local financial institution if based in the metropolitan area of Montreal or at least CAD $25,000 if based outside of Montreal.
PR/Work permit	PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
Additional Requirements	Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency and demonstrate a secondary school general diploma level of education.

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
EOI System	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 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 & management experience OR 4 years of senior management experience OR 1 year of business ownership & management experience and 2 years of senior management experience
EOI System	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	2-year work permit following nomination; PR contingent on implementation of business proposal
Additional Requirements	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 businesses in the Manitoba Capital Region. OR CAD $150,000 if a business is outside of the Manitoba Capital Region AND must be made in an eligible business AND must 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. ANDBusiness owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. AND Business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to qualify for points.
EOI System	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.
EOI System	Yes
Managerial Role	Required
Business Plan	Required
Exploratory Visit	Farm Business Research Visit required.
Interview	Required
Refundable Deposit	Not required
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
EOI System	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
EOI 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
	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
EOI System	Yes (province publishes info on previous draws)
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
	Completed a degree of at least 2 years’ duration at a university/college in Nova Scotia
EOI System	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

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) — 100% Ownership

Program	Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) — 100% Ownership
Minimum Net Worth	CAD $600,000
Minimum Investment	CAD $150,000
Experience	Management experience required
EOI System	Yes
Managerial Role	Required
Business Plan	Required
Exploratory Visit	Not specified
Interview	Required
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

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Partial Ownership

Program	Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Partial Ownership
Minimum Net Worth	CAD $600,000
Minimum Investment	CAD $150,000 and own a percentage of equity in an existing business of at least 1/3 ownership OR$1,000,000 investment
Experience	Management experience required
EOI System	Yes
Managerial Role	Required
Business Plan	Required, must fall within an eligible sector of business set out by the provincial govt
Exploratory Visit	Required
Interview	Required
Refundable Deposit	CAD $200,000
PR/Work permit	PR after obtaining nomination certificate
Additional Requirements	Submit an investment agreement
	Minimum IELTS band score of 4.0 within the last 2 years
	Score 50+ points on assessment grid

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
EOI System	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
EOI System	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

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
EOI 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.

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