What happens to OINP Entrepreneur Stream applications submitted before the November 2024 closure?

Applications submitted before November 4, 2024 are being processed under wind-down regulations. Applicants in this situation should contact their immigration consultant for a status update specific to their file.

Will Ontario launch a new entrepreneur immigration program in 2026?

Ontario has proposed a redesigned Entrepreneur Stream as part of its Phase 2 rollout. It is expected to be simpler and more closely aligned with Ontario's current economic priorities. No official launch date or eligibility criteria have been published as of April 2026.

What are the best alternatives to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream in 2026?

British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories all have active entrepreneur immigration streams with defined eligibility criteria. Alberta offers four specialized streams for graduates and rural entrepreneurs rather than a general investor pathway.

Which province has the lowest investment requirement for entrepreneur immigration in 2026?

British Columbia's Regional Pilot requires a minimum investment of $100,000 CAD and a net worth of $300,000 CAD, making it the lowest threshold among active general entrepreneur streams. It applies to new businesses in designated smaller communities only.

Does Alberta have a general entrepreneur immigration stream in 2026?

No. Alberta's four entrepreneur streams are specialized. They target Alberta post-secondary graduates with a valid PGWP, international graduates with a degree from outside Canada (CLB 5), rural entrepreneurs in communities under 100,000 population, and farm operators ($500,000 net worth). There is no general investor or net-worth-based pathway in Alberta.

How long does the BC PNP Entrepreneur Base stream take to lead to permanent residence?

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Base stream takes approximately three to four years from registration to permanent residence. The registration scoring stage takes four to six weeks, followed by 12 to 20 months of business operation before nomination, and then federal processing.

What is the minimum net worth for the PEI Business Impact Category?

PEI requires a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD and a minimum investment of $150,000 CAD. Candidates must also be between 21 and 59 years of age, maintain physical presence in PEI for at least 274 days per year, and operate the business for 12 consecutive months before requesting nomination.

Ontario Entrepreneur Immigration 2026: What You Need to Know After the OINP Closure

Last Updated: April 2026

By Amir Ismail, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R412319)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream closed permanently on November 4, 2024. Ontario is currently replacing all nine of its existing immigration streams by May 30, 2026. If you planned to use the OINP entrepreneur pathway, that option no longer exists. However, nine active entrepreneur immigration programs across other provinces and territories accept applications right now.

This page explains what happened to the OINP, what is coming in 2026, and where to look next.

Program Status: PERMANENTLY CLOSED The OINP Entrepreneur Stream is not accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOI). No new applications can be submitted. If you applied before November 4, 2024, your file is being processed under wind-down regulations. Contact your consultant for a status update.

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What Happened to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream?

Ontario suspended the Entrepreneur Stream before permanently closing it on November 4, 2024. The closure is part of a much larger structural overhaul. By May 30, 2026, all nine OINP streams will be formally revoked and replaced with a redesigned provincial immigration framework.

Ontario has indicated that a new Entrepreneur Stream will form part of Phase 2 of this rebuild. The expectation is a simpler program aligned with Ontario’s current economic priorities. As of April 2026, no eligibility criteria or launch date have been published by the provincial government.

Will Ontario Launch a New Entrepreneur Stream?

Yes, but not yet. Ontario’s Phase 2 rollout is expected to include a redesigned entrepreneur pathway. Provincial statements suggest the new stream will favour applicants whose businesses align with Ontario’s priority sectors, which are likely to include healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Until the new program launches with published criteria, no one can submit an application for provincial nomination through an Ontario entrepreneur stream.

What Are the Best Entrepreneur Immigration Options in 2026 and beyond?

Several provinces and territories have active entrepreneur programs with published criteria. Each has distinct investment thresholds, language requirements, and business restrictions.

For a full overview of all entrepreneur pathways in Canada, see the Canadian Entrepreneur Immigration Programs page.

British Columbia (BC PNP Entrepreneur Stream)

BC operates three entrepreneur streams. Two apply to most general applicants.

Base Category

Net worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $200,000 CAD
Minimum ownership: 33.33%
Language: CLB 4 (required at the final report stage)
Location: Anywhere in BC
Program fees: $300 (registration), $3,500 (nomination application), $500 (performance agreement review)
Timeline: Registration scoring takes 4 to 6 weeks; total process from registration to permanent residence is approximately 3 to 4 years

Regional Pilot

Net worth: $300,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $100,000 CAD
Minimum ownership: 51%
Language: CLB 4 (required at registration)
Must be a new business in a designated smaller BC community
Exploratory visit and referral letter required before applying

Read the full BC PNP Entrepreneur page

Alberta (AAIP Entrepreneur Streams)

Alberta does not have a general investor pathway. All four Alberta entrepreneur streams are specialized. There is no net-worth-based program for general business owners comparable to BC or Manitoba.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Requires a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
Language: CLB 7 (all four skills)
Minimum 2 years full-time study at an Alberta post-secondary institution
Minimum 34% ownership
Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
EOI system applies

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

For graduates educated outside Canada
Degree assessed through Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Language: CLB 5
Application through a designated agency; EOI system applies

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

For entrepreneurs starting or buying a business in an Alberta community with a population under 100,000, outside the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas
Exploratory visit required
EOI system applies

Farm Stream

Net worth: $500,000 CAD
Farming experience required
Direct mail application (no EOI system)

Only one active AAIP application is permitted at a time.

Read the full Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration page

Manitoba (MPNP Business Investor Stream)

Manitoba operates two pathways under its Business Investor Stream.

Entrepreneur Pathway

Net worth: $500,000 CAD
Language: CLB 5
Winnipeg Metropolitan Region: minimum investment $250,000 CAD
Outside the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region: minimum investment $150,000 CAD
Net worth must be verified by KPMG LLP or MNP LLP in Winnipeg

Farm Investor Pathway

Net worth: $500,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $300,000 CAD in farm assets
Rural Manitoba only
Direct nomination model (no EOI queue)
Refundable deposit of $75,000 CAD required upon nomination

Read the full Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway page

New Brunswick (NBPNP Business Immigration Stream)

Net worth: $500,000 CAD (general) or $300,000 CAD (agriculture sector)
Minimum investment: $150,000 CAD with a minimum 33.3% equity stake
Language: CLB 4
Age: 19 to 59
Experience: 2 years of business ownership (at least 51% stake) within the last 5 years, or 2 years of senior management experience within the last 5 years
Points minimum: 65 out of 100 on the provincial scoring grid
Operation before nomination: 6 consecutive months
Business must open within 9 months of arrival; establishment period extends up to 24 months
Application fee: $2,000 CAD (non-refundable); EOI submission is free
Net worth verified by Doane Grant Thornton LLP, MDD Forensic Accountants, or MNP LLP

Read the full New Brunswick Business Immigration page

Nova Scotia (NSNP Entrepreneur Stream)

Nova Scotia offers two paths under its Entrepreneur Stream. Both are invitation-only via EOI.

Path A (General)

Inside Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM):

Net worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $150,000 CAD
Language: CLB 5

Outside Halifax Regional Municipality:

Net worth: $400,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $100,000 CAD
Language: CLB 5

Experience requirement (both locations): 3 or more years as a business owner with a minimum one-third equity stake within the last 10 years, or 5 or more years as a senior manager. The business must operate for 1 full year in Nova Scotia before nomination is requested.

Path B (International Graduate Entrepreneur)

For graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland or NSCC
Minimum 2 years of full-time study required
Must already be operating a Nova Scotia business for at least 1 full year under a valid PGWP
Language: CLB 7
Minimum ownership: one-third equity
Direct-to-PR pathway (no additional work permit required after nomination)

Read the full Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream page

Prince Edward Island (PEI Business Impact Category)

Net worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $150,000 CAD within 12 months of arrival, plus $75,000 in eligible operating expenses
Age: 21 to 59
Language: CLB 4 minimum (higher scores earn more EOI points; language is worth up to 50 points out of a possible 200)
Physical presence: minimum 274 days per year in PEI
Business operation: 12 consecutive months before nomination is requested
Community endorsement: worth 10 to 15 additional EOI points
Application fee: $10,000 CAD; refunded if not accepted at interview stage; $7,500 refunded if declined before interview; non-refundable after the interview
Representatives must hold PEI approval as a Registered Business Category Representative to act for clients in this stream

Read the full PEI Business Impact Category page

Yukon Business Nominee Program

Net worth: $500,000 CAD (verified by a Yukon accounting firm)
Liquid assets: $300,000 CAD (cash, bonds, or cash derivatives)
Capital investment: $300,000 CAD within the first 2 years
Language: IELTS Level 6 (English) or TEF Canada Level 4 (French) at the application stage; CLB 4 required at nomination
Points minimum: 65 out of 100
Business experience: 3 or more years of entrepreneurial or business management experience; 5 or more years of work experience relevant to the proposed business
Initial decision: 12 to 14 weeks; candidates may remain in the candidate pool for up to 6 months; work permit is 2 years
Eligible sectors: information technology, manufacturing, value-added processing, forestry, tourism, energy, mining and mineral development, agriculture, cultural industries, and film and video
Ineligible sectors: retail, restaurants, financial services, real estate, holding companies, gas stations, and most professional services
Proposed business must qualify as NOC TEER 0 or TEER 1
Applicants cannot have already purchased or started a business in Yukon before applying

Read the full Yukon Business Nominee Program page

Northwest Territories Business Stream

The NWT Business Stream has no wait-list. The target processing time for complete applications is 12 weeks.

Yellowknife

Net worth: $500,000 CDN
Minimum investment: $200,000 CDN
Restaurants are not eligible in Yellowknife

Outside Yellowknife

Net worth: $250,000 CDN
Minimum investment: $100,000 CDN
Restaurants are eligible outside Yellowknife

Both locations require:

Language: CLB 4 (all four skills tested in a single session)
Minimum ownership: 33.3% (a lower percentage is accepted if total investment exceeds $1,000,000 CDN)
Application fee: $2,800 CDN (non-refundable)
Exploratory visit: minimum 4 full business days required before submitting a formal application
Required equity must be invested within 12 months of arriving in the NWT
Candidates must live within 100 km of their business and be present 75% of the time
Business Performance Agreement: 2 years; candidates become eligible for nomination at the 19-month mark
No appeal process if denied; reapplication is permitted after 9 months if circumstances have substantially changed

Read the full NWT Business Stream page

Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur Program

International Entrepreneur (IE) Stream

Net worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum investment: $200,000 CAD with 33.3% or greater ownership; or $1,000,000 CAD in equity
Language: CLB 5
Age: 21 to 59
Experience: 2 or more years of business ownership with a minimum 25% stake within the last 5 years, or 5 or more years of senior management experience within the last 10 years
Business must operate for 1 full year in NL before nomination is requested
Exploratory visit required for applicants from outside Newfoundland and Labrador
No provincial application fee for this stream
Net worth verified by: MNP LLP, KPMG LLP, BDO Canada LLP, or Grant Thornton LLP
Priority sectors: agriculture, aquaculture, technology, and natural resources

International Graduate Entrepreneur (IGE) Stream

For graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) or the College of the North Atlantic (CNA)
Minimum 2 years of full-time, in-person study at MUN or CNA within the last 2 years
Must hold a valid PGWP
Must have operated a Newfoundland and Labrador business for at least 1 full year
Language: CLB 7 (all four skills)
Minimum ownership: 33.3%
No minimum net worth is specified for this stream
Requires a Review Engagement and Special Purpose Report from a licensed NL CPA

Read the full NL Entrepreneur Immigration page

Active Entrepreneur Programs: Verified Eligibility Data at a Glance

The figures in this table come directly from each province’s official program documentation. Alberta is excluded from the general comparison because it has no net-worth-based investor pathway; its streams target graduates, rural entrepreneurs, and farm operators.

Province / Territory	Stream	Min. Net Worth (CAD)	Min. Investment (CAD)	Language
British Columbia	Base Category	$600,000	$200,000	CLB 4
British Columbia	Regional Pilot	$300,000	$100,000	CLB 4
Manitoba	Entrepreneur Pathway (Winnipeg Metro Region)	$500,000	$250,000	CLB 5
Manitoba	Entrepreneur Pathway (Outside Winnipeg)	$500,000	$150,000	CLB 5
New Brunswick	Business Immigration Stream	$500,000	$150,000	CLB 4
Nova Scotia	Path A, Inside Halifax (HRM)	$600,000	$150,000	CLB 5
Nova Scotia	Path A, Outside Halifax (HRM)	$400,000	$100,000	CLB 5
Prince Edward Island	Business Impact Category	$600,000	$150,000	CLB 4 min.
Yukon	Business Nominee Program	$500,000 net worth + $300,000 liquid	$300,000 (capital)	IELTS 6 / TEF 4
Northwest Territories	Business Stream (Yellowknife)	$500,000	$200,000	CLB 4
Northwest Territories	Business Stream (Outside Yellowknife)	$250,000	$100,000	CLB 4
Newfoundland and Labrador	International Entrepreneur	$600,000	$200,000	CLB 5

Investment figures represent minimum thresholds. Actual amounts required depend on each business plan and the provincial assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the OINP Entrepreneur Stream still open in 2026?

No. The OINP Entrepreneur Stream closed permanently on November 4, 2024. Ontario is replacing all nine of its existing immigration streams by May 30, 2026. New expressions of interest are not being accepted.

What happens to my OINP application if I applied before November 2024?

Applications submitted before November 4, 2024 are being processed under wind-down regulations. Contact your immigration consultant for a status update specific to your file.

Will Ontario release a new entrepreneur program?

Ontario has proposed a redesigned Entrepreneur Stream as part of Phase 2 of its immigration overhaul. As of April 2026, no launch date, eligibility criteria, or investment thresholds have been published by the Ontario government.

Which province has the lowest investment minimum for entrepreneur immigration?

British Columbia’s Regional Pilot requires a minimum investment of $100,000 CAD and a net worth of $300,000 CAD. It is the lowest threshold among active general entrepreneur streams, but it applies only to new businesses in designated smaller BC communities.

Does Alberta accept general investor applications?

No. Alberta’s entrepreneur streams are specialized. They require either a valid PGWP and Alberta post-secondary education (Graduate Entrepreneur Stream), a foreign degree with CLB 5 (Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream), rural Alberta business intent (Rural Entrepreneur Stream), or farm operation experience (Farm Stream). There is no general net-worth-based investor pathway in Alberta.

Can any immigration consultant represent me in the PEI Business Impact Category?

No. Only representatives who hold PEI approval as a Registered Business Category Representative can act for clients in this stream. Standard RCIC or lawyer designation alone is not sufficient.

Work With a Regulated Immigration Consultant

Every active entrepreneur program on this page has its own scoring grid, business plan requirements, exploratory visit rules, and net worth verification standards. Choosing the wrong program wastes time and money.

Amir Ismail and Associates assists business owners and investors with entrepreneur immigration programs across Canada. Amir Ismail holds RCIC designation R412319 and provides regulated, accountable advice on program selection, eligibility assessment, and application preparation.

Book a Strategy Consultation to review your options and identify which active program fits your situation.

Book Your Strategy Consultation

Call or WhatsApp: +1 647 835 0660