Provincial Nominee Programs — Business Immigration
Nine provinces and two territories run entrepreneur immigration programs. Investment thresholds start at $100,000 CAD. This page compares all of them so you can find the program that fits your profile.
Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) let provinces and territories select business immigrants who will start or buy a business in their region. Entrepreneurs apply to a provincial program, receive a work permit or provisional approval, operate their business for a set period, and then receive a nomination certificate. That certificate lets them apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. As of 2026, nine provinces and two territories run active entrepreneur immigration streams, with investment thresholds ranging from $100,000 CAD (Northwest Territories, outside Yellowknife) to $600,000 CAD (several programs). Two programs — Ontario's OINP Entrepreneur Stream and Saskatchewan's SINP Entrepreneur Category — are currently paused.
The Process
Submit an Expression of Interest
You submit a profile to the province. Some provinces score and rank applicants. Others review files individually. Most programs are free to register — application fees come later.
Receive an Invitation
If your score is competitive or your file meets the criteria, the province invites you to submit a full application. Competitive streams can have multi-month waiting periods.
Exploratory Visit
Several programs require you to visit the province, meet business contacts, and submit a trip report before or during your application. This confirms the business concept works locally.
Sign a Performance Agreement
Before you receive your work permit or start operations, you sign a legal agreement with the province covering investment amount, job creation targets, and active management timelines.
Operate Your Business
Most programs require 12 to 24 months of active business operation before nomination. Provincial staff conduct site visits during this period — planned and unplanned.
Apply for Nomination
Once you meet your performance agreement milestones, you apply for a provincial nomination certificate. Processing time varies by province.
Apply for Permanent Residence
With a nomination certificate, you submit your PR application to IRCC. A provincial nomination significantly strengthens your application.
2026 Overview
Minimum requirements only. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection.
| Province / Territory | Program | Min. Net Worth | Min. Investment | Streams | Work Permit First | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | AAIP Entrepreneur Streams | $300K–$500K CAD | $100K CAD (Rural) | Rural, Graduate, Farm, Foreign Graduate | Yes | Active |
| British Columbia | BC PNP Entrepreneur | $300K–$600K CAD | $100K–$200K CAD | Base Stream, Regional Stream | Yes | Active |
| Manitoba | MPNP Business Investor Stream | $500K CAD | $150K–$300K CAD | Entrepreneur, Farm Investor | Yes | Active |
| New Brunswick | NB Business Immigration Stream | $500K CAD $300K agriculture |
$150K CAD | Single stream (65+ points) | Yes | Active |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | NL Entrepreneur Program | $600K CAD (IE) None specified (IGE) |
$200K CAD (IE) | Intl Entrepreneur, Intl Graduate Entrepreneur | Yes | Active |
| Northwest Territories | NT Business Stream | $250K–$500K CDN | $100K–$200K CDN | Yellowknife, Outside Yellowknife | Yes | Active |
| Nova Scotia | NSNP Entrepreneur Stream | $400K–$600K CAD | $100K–$150K CAD | New Business, Existing Business | Yes | Active |
| Ontario | OINP Entrepreneur Stream | $600K CAD | $200K CAD | Single stream | Yes | Paused |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI Business Impact Category | $600K CAD | $150K CAD | Work Permit Stream (ages 21–59) | Yes | Active |
| Saskatchewan | SINP Entrepreneur Category | [Verify] | [Verify] | [Verify] | Yes | Paused |
| Yukon | Yukon Business Nominee Program | $500K CAD | $300K CAD capital | Single stream (65+ points) | Yes | Active |
All figures reflect published minimums as of April 2026. Requirements are subject to change. Verify current criteria with the relevant provincial authority or a licensed RCIC before applying.
All Programs
Program cards are listed alphabetically. Click the program name to read the full page and access the self-assessment tool for each province.
Alberta
AAIP Entrepreneur Streams
Alberta runs four streams. The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for business owners in communities under 100,000 population. The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international students with a valid PGWP from an Alberta institution. The Farm Stream is for experienced farmers ready to invest $500,000 CAD in an Alberta primary production operation. The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for graduates of international universities launching a start-up through a designated agency.
British Columbia
BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
Two active streams. The Base Stream targets experienced business owners who want to operate anywhere in BC, with higher financial thresholds. The Regional Stream is for entrepreneurs willing to settle in smaller BC communities outside Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District, and Kelowna/West Kelowna. Lower investment minimums apply in exchange for that community commitment. BC PNP uses a 200-point registration scoring system. You need at least 115 points to receive a work permit invitation.
Manitoba
MPNP Business Investor Stream
Two pathways. The Entrepreneur Pathway is for business owners and senior managers starting or buying a business anywhere in Manitoba. It uses a points-based EOI ranking system. The Farm Investor Pathway is a direct nomination model for experienced farm operators investing in rural Manitoba agriculture — no ranked queue. Net worth must be verified by KPMG LLP or MNP LLP (Winnipeg offices only).
New Brunswick
NB Business Immigration Stream
A points-based program requiring a minimum score of 65/100. Points come from business ownership experience, investment amount, net worth, education, language, and an optional exploratory visit to New Brunswick. Agriculture sector applicants have a lower net worth threshold of $300,000 CAD. After six consecutive months of business operation, you apply for a provincial nomination. Application fee is $2,000 CAD (non-refundable).
Newfoundland & Labrador
NL Entrepreneur Program
Two streams. The International Entrepreneur (IE) stream is for business owners from outside Canada. The International Graduate Entrepreneur (IGE) stream is only for graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland or the College of the North Atlantic who are already operating a business in NL for at least one year. The IE stream has a $600,000 CAD net worth requirement; the IGE stream has no specific net worth minimum but requires CLB 7. No provincial application fee.
Northwest Territories
NT Business Stream
One of Canada's most accessible entrepreneur pathways by investment threshold. No wait-list. Complete applications are processed in approximately 12 weeks. Two tiers based on location. You must actively manage your business, live within 100 km of it, and be present in the territory at least 75% of the time on a work permit. The NTNP conducts planned and unplanned site visits. After a two-year Business Performance Agreement, you apply for a nomination certificate.
Nova Scotia
NSNP Entrepreneur Stream
Two tracks: a standard Entrepreneur Stream for new businesses, and an Existing Business track for those already operating in Nova Scotia. Investment thresholds are lower outside Halifax. New businesses must employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident (not a family member) in a permanent, full-time role of at least 1,560 hours per year. A Net Worth Verification Report from an approved Nova Scotia financial service provider is required.
Ontario
OINP Entrepreneur Stream
Ontario's OINP Entrepreneur Stream is not accepting new applications. The province has suspended intake while reviewing its business immigration criteria. We are monitoring for a reopening announcement. When active, the program required $600,000 CAD net worth, $200,000 CAD minimum investment, and at least 33.33% ownership. It used a two-stage process: a pitch to an OINP Business Immigration Officer, followed by a provisional nomination.
Prince Edward Island
PEI Business Impact Category
PEI's Work Permit Stream scores applicants via an Expression of Interest system. You must be 21 to 59 years old, maintain physical presence in PEI for at least 274 days per year, and operate your business for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. The application fee is $10,000 CAD. If your file is not accepted, the full fee is refunded. If declined or withdrawn before your interview, $7,500 is refunded.
Saskatchewan
SINP Entrepreneur Category
Saskatchewan's SINP Entrepreneur Category is not accepting new Expressions of Interest at this time. The province has paused intake while reviewing its business immigration criteria. There is no confirmed reopening date. We are tracking this program and will update our clients when intake resumes. If you are considering Saskatchewan, book a consultation to discuss timing and alternative pathways.
Yukon Territory
Yukon Business Nominee Program
A points-based program requiring a minimum of 65 points on the assessment grid. Points come from education, business experience, language scores, planned investment amount, age, prior visits to Yukon, and business location. Successful applicants receive a two-year work permit. All net worth and liquid assets must be verified by a Yukon accounting firm. Capital investments mean land, equipment, and buildings — not operational expenses.
Why Clients Choose Us
35+ years processing Canadian immigration files. That is every major program change since 1991. We have seen these programs pause, reopen, and restructure. We know the difference between a temporary intake suspension and a program cancellation.
Two licensed RCICs on your file. Our team includes Amir Ismail (#R412319) and Rijah Ismail, both regulated by the CICC. Two regulated consultants reviewing your file is not standard in this industry.
We match your profile before you spend a dollar. We review your business background, net worth, language scores, and investment capacity in the Strategy Consultation and tell you which programs actually fit — and which ones to avoid.
Offices in Toronto, Dubai, and Karachi. We understand the journey from where you are starting, not just where you are going. We have helped business owners from 60+ countries navigate Canadian immigration.
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Common Questions
Most clients who contact us have already spent weeks researching these programs online. What they need is someone to look at their specific profile and tell them which program gives them the best shot — and what to strengthen before applying. That is what the Strategy Consultation is for.
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All PNP Entrepreneur Programs