Your Gateway to Canadian Business Opportunities

Explore the pathways to success with Canada's business immigration programs

Canada offers a rich array of business immigration pathways—from launching a start-up or acquiring an existing business to making a passive investment. This guide details federal and provincial/territorial programs, outlining every requirement and step, so you can select the best route for establishing your future in Canada.

Overview of Business Immigration in Canada

Canada’s immigration programs are available at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels. Whether you are an innovative entrepreneur, a seasoned self-employed professional, or a high-net-worth investor, there is a pathway designed to suit your background and goals. Canadian business immigrants benefit from a thriving economy, national healthcare, quality education, and a robust pension system.

Federal Business Immigration Programs

Start-Up Visa Program

• Launch Date: Established in 2013.
• Purpose: Designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs by connecting them with Canadian private sector investors.
• Outcome: Provides both temporary work permits and a pathway to permanent residency. After spending time in Canada and establishing their business, successful candidates and their families can transition to permanent residency.

Federal Self-Employed Program

• Target Applicants: Individuals with significant self-employment experience who wish to create their own employment.
• Key Requirements:
  • Minimum of two years of relevant self-employment experience within the past five years.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to Canada’s cultural, artistic, or athletic sectors.
  • Evidence of creating self-employment opportunities.
• Goal: Enable applicants to make a significant contribution in their field while transitioning to permanent residency.

Business Acquisition Pathway

• Concept: Although not an official program, wealthy individuals can purchase an established Canadian business.
• Process: Candidates can qualify for a temporary work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. (Note: Previous LMIA exemptions for owner-operator arrangements have been abolished.)
• Long-Term Vision: This pathway can lead to permanent residency after sufficient time and business performance in Canada.

Provincial & Territorial Business Immigration Programs

Each province and territory in Canada offers tailored business immigration streams with unique criteria and processes.

British Columbia

1. Entrepreneur Immigration

• Business Requirement: Start a new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
• Financial Criteria:
  • Investment: Minimum of CAD 200,000.
  • Personal Net Worth: At least CAD 600,000.
• Job Creation: Must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Language Proficiency: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English or French by the time of nomination.
• Experience & Legal Status: Must have business/management experience and be legally eligible to immigrate.
• Fees: A CAD 300 registration fee, CAD 3,500 application fee, plus CAD 1,000 per key staff member.
• Process Overview:
  1. Registration: Complete an online form with a short business concept and pay the non-refundable fee; candidates enter a pool for six months (180 days) or until invited.
  2. Invitation: Regular monthly draws invite top-scoring candidates to apply within four months.
  3. Net Worth Review: A qualified chartered accountant reviews the candidate’s financial documents.
  4. Application: Submit a complete application within 120 days of invitation; interviews may be required.
  5. Business Implementation: After approval, candidates sign a performance agreement and have 20 months (610 days) to launch and run their business. They receive a letter of support for a two-year work permit and must arrive in B.C. within 12 months.
  6. Nomination for PR: Upon fulfilling the performance agreement, both the candidate and any dependents receive nomination for permanent residency.

2. Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream

• Focus: Attracts entrepreneurs to smaller, rural communities.
• Key Features:
  • Community Involvement: Local communities actively help foreign entrepreneurs settle.
  • Referral Process: Communities can refer promising candidates, who then register in a separate pool with priority monthly invitations.
  • Community Criteria: Must be in communities with a population of less than 75,000 and located more than 30 km from a municipality of over 75,000.
• Candidate Requirements:
  • Must be committed to settling in a regional community.
  • Complete an exploratory visit.
  • Investment: Minimum of CAD 100,000.
  • Net Worth: At least CAD 300,000.
  • Must hold a minimum of 51% ownership and create at least one new job.
  • Must achieve CLB Level 4 in all language skills.

3. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects

• Purpose: Assists foreign-controlled companies in establishing or expanding in B.C.
• Key Requirements:
  • Investment: Minimum equity investment of CAD 500,000.
  • Job Creation: For each foreign key staff member proposed (up to a maximum of five), the company must create at least three new jobs for Canadians or permanent residents.
• Process: Includes an exploratory visit, discussions with BC PNP officials, and registration of the company’s interest.

Ontario

• Current Status: Ontario suspended its Entrepreneur Stream in 2024.
• Alternative Options: While direct business immigration programs are not operating, other Ontario immigration pathways remain available for prospective immigrants.

Quebec

1. Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

• Nature: A passive investment program.
• Investment Requirement: CAD 1.2 million must be invested in a government-guaranteed investment for five years (non-interest bearing).
• Additional Criteria:
  • Must demonstrate French language proficiency.
  • Legally acquired personal net worth of at least CAD 2 million.
  • Minimum two years of relevant management or business experience within the last five years.
  • Must have at least a high school diploma and intend to settle in Quebec.

2. Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program

• Two Streams:
  • Stream 1: For entrepreneurs who manage a business they have established (alone or with up to three foreign partners) with support from a business accelerator, incubator, or university entrepreneurship centre.
  • Stream 2: For candidates who control a significant portion of a new or acquired business (minimum 25% of a new enterprise or 51% of an acquired enterprise) and can prove a legally acquired net worth of CAD 900,000.

3. Quebec Self-Employed Program

• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Must have at least two years of applicable professional experience in the intended field of work in Quebec.
  • A minimum personal net worth of CAD 100,000.
  • Sufficient funds to support oneself and any dependents.
  • Deposit: CAD 50,000 is required if based in Montreal; otherwise, CAD 25,000 is needed outside Montreal.

Alberta

1. Alberta Farm Stream

• Administered by: AAIP in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
• Target Applicants: Those with farm management skills and the financial resources to invest in a farming business.

2. Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

• Who Should Apply: Foreign-educated graduates from outside Canada who are ready to launch start-up enterprises in Alberta.

3. Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

• Eligibility: International graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions aiming to start or operate a business within the province.

4. Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream

• Focus: For entrepreneurs who plan to either establish a new business or purchase an existing one in a rural Alberta community.

Saskatchewan

1. Entrepreneur Stream

• Entry Method: Candidates initially come to Canada on a temporary work permit.
• Nomination Eligibility: After spending at least six months establishing their business.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Net Worth: Legally acquired minimum of CAD 500,000.
  • Experience: At least three years of entrepreneurial or management experience.
  • Investment: Minimum of CAD 300,000 if in Regina or Saskatoon, or CAD 200,000 in other areas.
• Application Essentials:
  • Must submit a comprehensive Business Establishment Plan.
  • Required to hold at least one-third ownership (unless the investment exceeds CAD 1 million).
  • Commitment to active daily management and job creation (at least two new jobs in Regina/Saskatoon).

2. International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

• Candidate Profile:
  • Must be at least 21 years old.
  • Must have completed a minimum two-year, full-time post-secondary degree or diploma from a recognized Saskatchewan institution.
  • Must hold a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit with at least 24 months remaining.
  • Must have resided in Saskatchewan during their studies and meet a minimum CLB level 7.
• Business Criteria:
  • Must live in Saskatchewan.
  • Actively own and operate an eligible business in the province for at least one year.
  • Must own at least one-third of the business equity.
  • Must demonstrate that the business meets the required revenue targets.
  • Must sign a Business Performance Agreement with the SINP.

Manitoba

Business Investor Stream

• Two Pathways:
  1. Entrepreneur Pathway
     • Objective: For applicants wanting to launch a new business in Manitoba.
     • Process: Begin on a temporary work permit, then achieve nomination for permanent residency after fulfilling a Business Performance Agreement.
     • Priority: Given to candidates starting businesses outside Winnipeg.
  2. Farm Investor Pathway
     • Objective: Tailored for those who plan to open and operate a farm in rural Manitoba.
     • Process: Similar to the Entrepreneur Pathway—with a temporary work permit followed by nomination after meeting performance criteria.

Nova Scotia

1. Entrepreneur Stream

• Candidate Eligibility:
  • Must be 21 years or older.
  • Must intend to live permanently in Nova Scotia while actively managing a business.
  • Net Worth: Minimum of CAD 600,000 (reduced to CAD 400,000 if the business is located outside the Halifax Regional Municipality).
  • Investment: At least CAD 150,000 of personal funds (or CAD 100,000 outside HRM).
  • Experience: Minimum three years of business management (with at least 33% ownership) or over five years in a senior management role.
  • Language: A minimum score of 5 on the CLB in all four language skills.
• Process: Applicants receive a temporary work permit and later apply for permanent residency after one year of business operation using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

2. International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

• For: Recent graduates from Nova Scotia universities or the Nova Scotia Community College.
• Requirements:
  • Must have operated their Nova Scotia business continuously for at least one year (with 100% ownership).
  • Must have completed a degree or diploma with at least two academic years of full-time, in-person study.
  • Must hold a valid post-graduation work permit.
  • Must achieve a minimum CLB score of 7 in all language competencies.

New Brunswick

1. Entrepreneurial Stream

• Eligibility:
  • Must have an eligible connection to New Brunswick.
  • Age between 22 and 55.
  • Must possess at least a two-year post-secondary degree or diploma.
  • Must achieve at least level 5 on the CLB in all language skills.
  • Financial Criteria: Legally acquired net worth of at least CAD 600,000 (with CAD 300,000 in unencumbered liquidity) and a minimum investment of CAD 250,000 in a New Brunswick business.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must sign a Business Performance Agreement and pay a deposit of CAD 100,000.
  • Must demonstrate either three years of business ownership or five years of senior management experience.
  • Must submit a business concept and complete an exploratory visit or attend an information session.
  • Must intend to settle permanently in New Brunswick.

2. Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream

• Target Group: Candidates aged between 22 and 40.
• Requirements:
  • Must achieve at least level 7 on the CLB.
  • Must have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education at a recognized New Brunswick institution.
  • Must have resided in New Brunswick during the course (distance-learning does not qualify).
  • Must have 100% owned and operated a business for one full year.
  • Must hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit.
  • Must intend to live permanently in New Brunswick.

Newfoundland & Labrador

1. International Entrepreneur Category

• Basic Requirements:
  • Open to applicants aged 21 to 59.
  • Must transfer a combined net of business and personal assets amounting to CAD 500,000 to the province.
  • Must have at least two years of experience in managing a business.
• Process: Applicants begin on a temporary work permit and, after operating their business for at least one year, may be nominated for permanent residency.

2. International Graduate Entrepreneur Category

• Eligibility:
  • Open to graduates wishing to start, join, or manage a business in the province.
  • Must be a graduate of Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic.
  • Must have completed a program of at least two years in length.
  • Must achieve a CLB level of 7 in one of Canada’s official languages.
  • Must have at least one year of business management or ownership experience in the province.
• Investment: There is no upfront investment requirement.
• Process: Like the International Entrepreneur Category, candidates start on a temporary work permit before nomination for permanent residency after one year.

Prince Edward Island

• Work Permit Stream:
  • Process: Applicants must first secure a Canadian work permit and work for a designated PEI business as outlined in a Performance Agreement.
  • Requirements: Upon fulfillment of the Performance Agreement, applicants must invest at least CAD 150,000 in the business and commit to managing it daily from within Prince Edward Island.
  • Historical Context: PEI previously had direct permanent residency streams for business immigrants, but these were closed in September 2018 due to immigration fraud concerns.

Yukon

• Yukon Business Nominee Program
  • Initial Stage: Entrepreneurs come to Yukon on a two-year work permit.
  • Financial Criteria:
  • Net Worth: Legally acquired minimum of CAD 500,000.
  • Liquid Assets: At least CAD 300,000.
  • Business Investment: Minimum of CAD 300,000 in capital during the first two years (this excludes any investments made prior to program acceptance; eligible capital includes property or equipment but excludes partially business-related vehicles and operational expenses).
  • Outcome: Upon successful business performance, candidates and their dependents are nominated for permanent residency.

Northwest Territories

• Business Stream
  • Investment Requirements:
  • Within Yellowknife’s corporate boundaries: Minimum equity investment of CAD 300,000.
  • Outside Yellowknife: Minimum equity investment of CAD 150,000.
  • Personal Net Worth:
  • Within Yellowknife: At least CAD 500,000.
  • Outside Yellowknife: At least CAD 250,000.
  • Goal: To attract entrepreneurs with proven business expertise and sufficient investment capital to either start or purchase a business in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Much Investment Is Required to Qualify for Permanent Residency?

For the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program—the only pure passive investment option in Canada—a non-interest-bearing investment of CAD 1.2 million in a government-guaranteed product for five years is required.

Who Is Eligible for a Canadian Business Visa?

Eligibility varies across programs:

• Some programs (like the Start-Up Visa and Federal Self-Employed Program) require hands-on business management.
• Others (such as the Quebec Investor Visa) focus on passive investment.
• Specific criteria, such as net worth, language proficiency, and business experience, differ by program and stream.

Can I Immigrate to Canada by Simply Investing Money?

Yes. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is designed exclusively for high-net-worth individuals seeking to make a passive investment, making it the sole direct investment immigration pathway in Canada.

Is Buying an Existing Business a Viable Immigration Path?

Absolutely. Several federal and provincial programs—including the Start-Up Visa, Self-Employed Visa (both federal and Quebec), and various Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur streams—allow applicants with a mid-range personal net worth to first obtain a temporary work permit and eventually qualify for permanent residency by owning a business.

Conclusion

Canada’s business immigration landscape is both diverse and detailed. Whether you’re an entrepreneur ready to launch a start-up, a self-employed professional, or a high-net-worth investor, the programs outlined above provide numerous pathways to achieving permanent residency. By carefully reviewing the requirements for each federal and provincial/territorial stream, you can identify the best route tailored to your business goals and personal profile.

For the most current information and personalized guidance, be sure to consult official immigration resources or speak with a qualified immigration professional.