Business Immigration to Canada
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Canada’s Start-up Visa Program is an unparalleled initiative designed to attract and retain innovative entrepreneurs globally. This program aims to empower business-savvy individuals with the vision and potential to establish enterprises in Canada that:
- Ignite innovation across sectors
- Generate employment for Canadians
- Compete on an international platform
Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs
In Canadian law, immigration is an area where jurisdiction is shared between the Federal and Provincial governments. As such, various provinces and territories of Canada, by agreement with the Federal government, have established their own immigration programs to nominate potential immigrant for Canadian permanent residency status. Once an Applicant has been nominated by a province/territory as a Provincial Nominee, the Applicant is assured of a prompt processing of his/her Application for Permanent Residence.
As such, various provinces and territories have established their own business immigration programs. These provincial business immigration programs focus on experienced business people who may not qualify under the Investor Category or who may not wish to be subject to the Terms and Conditions under the Entrepreneur Category.
Most provincial business immigration programs require that nominated Applicant have the ability to establish themselves within that province/territory and that they develop and actively manage a business in that province that will provide significant economic benefit to the province. Personal net worth and qualifying investment thresholds are lower than those required under the Federal and Quebec Investor Categories. The personal net worth requirement may be as low as $300,000, while the investment amount may be as low as $125,000.
Please complete our business immigration assessment form, book a consultation or send us an email at info@amirismail.com to learn more about various provincial nominee programs available for consideration.
Provincial Nominee Programs for Business
| Program | Alberta Self Employed Farmer Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $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 nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Canadian financial institution must finance the Alberta farming venture |
| Program | British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Entrepreneur Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $200,000 OR $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 | Required 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 or permanent resident |
| Program | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 tangible assets AND Control at least 1/3 of equity (if investing in an existing business) OR $1,000,000 equity investment (if investing in an existing business) |
| Experience | Business ownership and management experience or executive-level experience in 3 of the past 5 years, in a successful business |
| EOI System | Yes (province does not publish info on previous draws, but may do so in the future) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Submission of Summary of Business Intent required |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | $100,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a mandatory Expression of Interest Score 60+ points on assessment grid |
| Program | New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – Business Applicants(suspended) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $300,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $125,000 tangible assets |
| Experience | Management experience in 3 of the past 5 years required |
| EOI System | No (program suspended) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required, must be of economic benefit to the province |
| Exploratory Visit | Required |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | $75,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Score at least 50 points on the selection grid 22-55 years old Ability in English or French |
| Program | Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) – Entrepreneur Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $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 |
| Program | Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Entrepreneur Business |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | For businesses in Yellowknife: $500,000 OR For businesses outside Yellowknife: $250,000 |
| Minimum Investment | In Yellowknife: $300,000 & at least 33.3% ownership OR Outside Yellowknife: $150,000 & at least 33.3% ownershipOR$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 | $75,000 |
| PR/Work permit | 2-year work permit following nomination; PR contingent on meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Priority business projects: those involving a product new to the NWT or a project that would generate significant benefits |
| Program | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Corporate Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | None |
| Minimum Investment | $5,000,000 OR $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 |
| Additional Requirements | Create 5 new jobs for Canadians or permanent residents per key staff member seeking nomination |
| Program | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Entrepreneur Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | For businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): $1,500,000 OR For businesses outside the GTA: $800,000 ORF or businesses in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location): $800,000 |
| Minimum Investment | In the GTA: $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 60 months as business owner or senior manager |
| EOI System | Yes (province publishes info on previous draws) |
| 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 5 Create 2 permanent, full-time jobs for Canadians or permanent residents |
| Program | Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – 100% Ownership |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 |
| 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 | $200,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a purchase and sale agreement, if applicant is purchasing an eligible PEI business IELTS minimum score of 4.0 within last 2 years 21-59 years old Score 50+ points on assessment grid |
| Program | Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Partial Ownership |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 and 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 | $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 |
| Program | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $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 $1,000,000 investment |
| 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 | Required, either in person or online |
| Refundable Deposit | Not required |
| PR/Work permit | 2-year work permit following nomination; PR contingent on meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Sign a Performance Agreement Create 2+ employment opportunities in SK (if it’s a new business) |
| Program | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 |
| 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 | May be required |
| Refundable Deposit | $75,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a Farm Establishment Plan Sign a Performance Agreement |
| Program | Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 (including $300,000 in liquid assets) |
| Minimum Investment | $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 (however, there is no points-based ranking system) |
| 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 following nomination; 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 |
Planning to immigrate to Canada?
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