Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Programs
Discover how you can invest in Canada and stay here via PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Streams.
Business immigrants are people who can make an investment in Canada thereby supporting the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. Most provinces have their own business immigration streams known as Canada PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Streams.
Where to Start?
Provincial Nomineee Programs
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream
Experience
You must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
Your experience must be as a business owner or as a senior manager (business management). As a business owner you must have had an active role in the business and owned at least one-third of the business. As a senior manager you must have had senior decision-making responsibilities in the business and managed the day-to-day operations of the business in whole or in part.
Net worth
Within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) you must have a minimum personal net worth of $800,000 Canadian. Outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you must have a minimum personal net worth of $400,000 Canadian.
You must make minimum investments in your business from your personal net worth. If your proposed business is to be located:
- within the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000 Canadian
- outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 Canadian
You must control at least one-third of the equity in the business.
The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit. It must not be to derive interest, dividends or capital gains.
Active Involvement
Business requirements
Your business must: be a for-profit business that generates income through the sale of goods and services; meet all the legal requirements of Canada and Ontario; be a permanent business; be located in the province at all times; and create at least two permanent full-time jobs (in the GTA) or 1 permanent full-time job (outside the GTA) for permanent residents or citizens of Canada and they must be paid according to wage standards of Ontario.
Additional requirements for buying an existing business
If you want to buy an existing business in the province, you must: make a business visit to the province within a year of submitting your expression of interest; buy a business that has been owned by the same owner(s) for the past five years; ensure that the business is completely transferred to you or any other business partner; use at least 10% of your personal investment in improving and expanding your business in the province; and continue to employ all the employees who worked in the business before you bought it.
Additional requirements for buying an existing business
If you want to buy an existing business in the province, you must: make a business visit to the province within a year of submitting your expression of interest; buy a business that has been owned by the same owner(s) for the past five years; ensure that the business is completely transferred to you or any other business partner; use at least 10% of your personal investment in improving and expanding your business in the province; and continue to employ all the employees who worked in the business before you bought it.
Experience
Business and/or management experience; if no business experience, must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma.
Net worth
Personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000.
Language Skills
Basic English or French language skill equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
Additional Requirements
Have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live, have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
Investment requirements
Establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business and make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business. Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Application Process
- Prepare a business proposal
- Register your proposal with the BC PNP
- Get a work permit
- Build your business
- BC PNP nomination
- Permanent Residence
Business Experience
Minimum of three years of full time work experience in the past five years either as an active business owner or working in a senior management role of a successful business. Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. Business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to qualify for points.
Official Languages Proficiency
Minimum CLB/NCLC 5
Education
Minimum Canadian high school certificate equivalent
Age
No minimum or maximum age; however, ranking points are allocated to candidates 25 to 49 years of age.
Application Process
- Prepare a business proposal
- Register your proposal with the BC PNP
- Get a work permit
- Build your business
- BC PNP nomination
- Permanent Residence
Business Investment
Minimum investment is $250,000 for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region. Minimum investment is $150,000 if a business is situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region. Business Investment must be made in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP. The proposed business 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).
Business Research Visit
A Business Plan is required and is an integral part of the application. A business research visit allows the applicant to conduct extensive research of their future business investment or proposal. The Business Research Visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of your EOI.
Adaptability
Points will be allocated to you if: Your spouse has CLB/NCLC 5 or higher; You or your spouse have CLB/NCLC 5 or higher in the Second Official Language; You or your spouse or common-law partner have a close relative currently residing in Manitoba for more than one year; Your child is enrolled in an accredited Manitoba educational institution and is actively pursuing academic, professional or vocational training on a full-time basis for at least six months prior to the date of submission of EOI; and/or You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study for at least one year at a post-secondary institution in Manitoba. You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner must have done this after you turned 17 years old and with a valid study permit; OR You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed at least six months of continuous full time employment in Manitoba. A letter of reference from the employer and a copy of the work permit must be provided.
Networth
Minimum of $500,000 Your personal net worth will be verified by a third-party supplier approved by the MPNP. A verification report, along with the application, must be submitted to the MPNP within 120 days of receiving your LAA.
Business Performance Agreement
After an application is approved, a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed prior to the MPNP issuing you a letter of support for applying for a work permit.
Business Performance Agreement
After an application is approved, a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) must be signed prior to the MPNP issuing you a letter of support for applying for a work permit.
New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream
- Your business must have a real eligible connection to the province.
- You must be between 22 and 55 years old.
- You must have reached Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or higher in all four categories of the test in either French or English.
- You must have finished at least two years of tertiary education after completing high school.
- Your personal net worth must be verified and it should be a minimum of $600,000 CAD (of which $300,000 CAD must be liquid & encumbered).
- During the past 5 years you must have at least 3 years of work experience in managing and owning at least 33.3% of a business or you must have 5 consecutive years of work experience in a senior business management role & supervising at least 2 employees.
- You need to have the intention of living in the province permanently while owning and managing your local business.
- You must be able to make a minimum investment of at least $250,000 CAD in starting your business.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
- You need to be at least 21 years old.
- You must have the intention to live in the province permanently while actively managing and owning your business.
- Your personal net worth must be $600,000 CAD minimum.
- You need to be able to make a $150,000 CAD investment in your intended business.
- You must have a minimum of three years of experience in managing and owning at least one-third of a business or you must have at least five years of experience in a senior management position.
- You must have reached Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or higher in all four categories of the test in either French or English.
- You need to complete your online Expression of Interest in the province.
- You must receive an Invitation to Apply from Nova Scotia Immigration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility criteria may vary between provinces, but common requirements include having a minimum net worth, relevant business experience, a viable business plan, and the intention to actively manage and operate the business in the province.
Generally, provinces prioritize businesses that align with their economic priorities and fill gaps in the local market. Commonly preferred sectors include technology, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, among others.
Yes, many provinces require entrepreneurs to create a certain number of full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents as a condition of the program.
Yes, in most cases, you will be required to live in and actively manage your business in the province that nominated you under the Entrepreneur stream. Provinces may have certain conditions to ensure you fulfill your commitment.
The Entrepreneur stream is a pathway offered by some Canadian provinces for experienced business owners or entrepreneurs who wish to establish and operate a business in that specific province.