Build Your Business in Canada. Earn Your Permanent Residence.
Canada has no open federal business immigration program for new applicants. Provinces and territories now carry that route, and most of them nominate entrepreneurs who start or buy a business and run it themselves. Compare every program below, then book a Strategy Consultation to find your fit.
since 1991
What is the PNP for entrepreneurs?
A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for entrepreneurs is a provincial route to permanent residence for business owners who start or buy a business in that province. Each province or territory sets its own rules for net worth, investment, ownership and business experience.
A nomination lets you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Business nominations are processed outside Express Entry, and most programs nominate you only after your business is running.
What happens if you pick the wrong province?
Each province wants a different business, a different amount of capital and a different level of experience. Programs open and close, and some run on registrations or Expressions of Interest with small yearly limits. A plan built for the wrong province can cost you a year and your savings.
Why entrepreneurs choose a PNP
Canada’s Start-up Visa stopped accepting new permanent residence applications on December 31, 2025, so no federal business program is open to new applicants. Provincial programs are now the main route. Many let you land on a work permit and build the business first.
Is a business PNP right for you?
An honest first check before you invest a dollar.
A business PNP fits if you have
- Business ownership or senior management experience
- Personal net worth and investment funds you can document
- A business idea that suits the province
- Language ability that meets the program minimum
- A real plan to live and work in the province
Another route may fit better if
- You have no capital to invest and want a job-based route
- You are not ready to move to the province and run the business
- Your CRS score already works for Express Entry
The skilled-worker PNP or Express Entry may be faster. See all Canada immigration paths.
Western and Central Canada
British Columbia
Base and Regional streams, scored through registration. Base needs $600,000 net worth and Regional $300,000. You move to B.C. and run the business before nomination.
Alberta
Four entrepreneur streams: Rural, Graduate, Foreign Graduate and Farm. Intake is small and competitive, so the right stream and a strong plan matter.
Saskatchewan
Closed. The Entrepreneur and Farm Owner categories stopped accepting new applications on March 27, 2025. See what you can do instead.
Manitoba
Two pathways: Entrepreneur and Farm Investor. Both expect you to build and run a business in Manitoba, with minimum net worth and investment set by the program.
Ontario
Closed. The Entrepreneur Stream closed permanently on November 4, 2024. Learn what to do next and which provinces remain open.
Not sure which province?
We compare the programs against your capital, experience and business idea, then tell you which one to pursue.
Related routes
A business PNP sits next to other Canada routes. These guides help you compare them.
Atlantic Canada and the North
Nova Scotia
The Entrepreneur Stream is one of four Nova Scotia streams. You start or buy a business and manage it day to day. Net worth must be $600,000, or $400,000 outside Halifax.
New Brunswick
For experienced owners and senior managers who start or buy a business in the province, with a separate route for New Brunswick graduates. Intake can open and close, so we confirm the status before you plan.
Prince Edward Island
PEI has recently favoured worker streams over business ones, so intake has been paused or very limited. We confirm the current status before you plan.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Two dedicated entrepreneur categories: one for international entrepreneurs and one for graduates. You start or buy a business and run it in the province.
Yukon
The Yukon Business Nominee Program is for entrepreneurs who invest in and run a Yukon business. Nomination spaces are small, so a strong plan matters.
Northwest Territories
The Business Stream is for entrepreneurs who start or buy a business in the territory. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Looking for the skilled-worker PNP?
Provinces also nominate skilled workers with job offers and Express Entry profiles.
What every business PNP checks
Each province sets its own rules, but most business streams check the same five things.
Business experience
Usually several years of owning or managing a business, with records that prove it.
Net worth
A minimum personal net worth you can document, with a clear and legal source of funds.
Investment and ownership
A minimum investment in the business and a minimum share of ownership. Both vary by program and region.
Language
An approved English or French test. The level you need varies by program.
Admissibility
A medical exam, police certificates and security checks for you and your family.
Not sure where you stand?
Book a Strategy Consultation and we will map your profile against every open program.
How a business PNP works, step by step
Six stages from choosing a province to permanent residence.
Choose the right province and stream
We compare programs against your capital, experience and business idea, then pick the best fit.
Build your profile and business plan
Gather proof of net worth and source of funds, book your language test and prepare a business plan for the province.
Register or submit your application
Many programs start with a registration or Expression of Interest. Others take applications directly, sometimes after an exploratory visit.
Sign your business agreement
Most programs ask you to commit to your business plan in writing. Many then support a work permit so you can move and start the business.
Run the business and report
You open or buy the business, manage it day to day and meet your agreement. Some entrepreneurs bridge this stage on a work permit, including the C11 entrepreneur permit.
Apply for permanent residence
Once the province nominates you, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Your family can apply with you.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. Our team includes Rijah Amir, also a licensed RCIC, so every file gets a second expert review.
Licensed expert guidance
Advice from CICC-licensed RCICs, not sales staff or unlicensed agents.
A strategy built for your profile
We identify the fastest realistic pathway for you, not a template.
Application accuracy
Documentation review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track every draw, policy shift and IRCC announcement for you.
End-to-end support
From eligibility checks to landing, we guide every step.
Proven track record
2026 Canadian Choice Award winner, trusted since 1991.
What our clients say
Real reviews from clients we have guided to Canada and beyond.
Business PNP FAQs
What is the PNP for entrepreneurs?
It is a provincial route to permanent residence for business owners who start or buy a business in that province. Each province sets its own rules for net worth, investment and experience, and a nomination lets you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Is there a federal business immigration program for Canada?
Not for new applicants right now. The Start-up Visa stopped accepting new permanent residence applications on December 31, 2025, so provincial programs are the main business route. See the current rules at IRCC.
How much money do I need for a business PNP?
It depends on the province and region. Many programs set a minimum net worth of roughly $300,000 to $600,000, plus a minimum investment in the business. Your funds also need a documented, legal source.
Do I need to move to Canada before I am nominated?
In most programs, yes in practice. You usually run the business in the province, often on a work permit, before the province nominates you. Timing varies by program, so check the rules before you commit.
What is a C11 work permit and how does it relate to a PNP?
A C11 work permit is an LMIA-exempt permit for entrepreneurs and self-employed people who bring a significant benefit to Canada. Some entrepreneurs use it to start the business first, then apply for a provincial nomination once it is established. It does not guarantee a nomination, so book a Strategy Consultation to see if it fits your case.
Which province is easiest for entrepreneurs?
None is easy, and the right one depends on your capital, experience and business type. Programs with lower minimums often ask you to build in a smaller or regional community. We compare them for your profile in a Strategy Consultation.
Can I apply to more than one provincial business program?
Rules differ by province, and some programs limit parallel applications. Confirm the rules before you register anywhere. A Strategy Consultation helps you choose where to focus.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can usually be included in your application. Adding family members adds IRCC fees.
Why are the Ontario and Saskatchewan business streams closed?
Ontario closed its Entrepreneur Stream permanently on November 4, 2024. Saskatchewan closed its Entrepreneur and Farm Owner categories on March 27, 2025, after a federal cut to its nomination allocation. Other provinces remain open to varying degrees.