Business & Investment immigration
Below are tables detaining the various programs 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 dependants 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) |
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) |
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 |
Fill out the Canada Visa Business & Investment immigration Assessment form, and we will get back to you with the next steps