Investor, Entrepreneur or Business Immigration Programs

Ontario

Entrepreneur / Investor Program

Overview of an Entrepreneur Process

The Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside of Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario. It gives an entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario.

If you are nominated, the next step will be to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply to become a permanent resident.

The Entrepreneur Stream application is a two-stage process.

Stage 1 (Following steps will be carried by RCIC)

  1. Registering an expression of interest 
  2. If invited, submit an online application
  3. You and your business partner (if applicable) attend a mandatory in-person interview at the OINP office in Toronto (Will be applied for an exploratory trip along with your Business Interview)
  4. If your stage 1 application is successful, you must sign a performance agreement

Stage 2 (Following steps will be carried by in support with your RCIC and local third parties associated with your case)

  1. OINP will issue a temporary work permit support letter so that we can apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit
  2. Establish your business – you have 20 months to implement your business plan and submit a final report
  3. If your business meets all requirements, we ask you for documentation to make sure you are eligible for nomination for permanent residence.

Before you register an expression of interest (Will be governed and assessed by your RCIC)

  1. Make sure you meet the mandatory requirements
  2. Check the list of ineligible types of businesses
  3. Understand the expression of interest process
  4. Read the registration instructions
Mandatory requirements

To qualify under the Entrepreneur Stream, you must have a viable business that is likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of Ontario as a whole or to the local Ontario economy where the business will be located. You and one business partner (if applicable) must both meet the eligibility requirements.

If you are invited to submit an application, you must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate you meet the requirements.

1. Business experience

You must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.

Your experience must be as a business owner or as a senior manager (business management). As a business owner you must have had an active role in the business and owned at least one-third of the business. As a senior manager you must have had senior decision-making responsibilities in the business.

2. Net worth

If your proposed business will be located:

  • within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) you must have a minimum net worth of 800,000 CDN.
  • outside of the Greater Toronto Area you must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN.

If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN.

3. Personal investment funds and minimum equity

If your proposed business will be located:

  • within the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business
  • outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business

If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least of one-third of the equity in the business.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) welcomes foreign national entrepreneurs willing to invest in Ontario. Candidates who are invited to apply for permanent residency nomination under the Entrepreneur Stream would be considered, but not guaranteed for approval, and applications are assessed against the criteria as set out under section 13 of Ontario Regulation 422/17 (General), as further explained in the Application Guide: Entrepreneur Stream. The criteria include an applicant demonstrating that they meet minimum personal net worth and investment criteria. While passive investments, including mutual and/or pooled fund securities, are permissible for the purpose of satisfying the personal net worth criterion, they are not eligible for inclusion in an applicant’s minimum business investment amount.

4. Active involvement

You must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business.

5. Capital investment purpose

The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit. It must not be to derive interest, dividends or capital gains.

6. Job creation

If the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area, you must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If the business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area or in the information and communications technology or digital communications sector, regardless of location, you must create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Jobs must be created within the first 20 months of establishing or acquiring the business, must be filled continuously for at least 10 months and must be paid at the median wage level for the position.

7. Additional requirements if purchasing an existing business

If you plan to purchase an existing business:

  • you must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario within 12 months from the date of registering an Expression of Interest
  • the business being purchased must have been in continuous operation by the same owner(s) for the previous 60 months
  • ownership of the business must be completely transferred to the applicant or any business partner
  • you must use at least 10% of your personal investment towards improving or expanding the business in Ontario
  • you must keep all permanent full-time employees that worked in the business prior to the transfer of ownership

General business requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements listed above, you must also meet the general business requirements listed below.

1. Business purpose

The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services.

2. Canadian and Ontario legal requirements

Your business must comply with all relevant federal, provincial or municipal legal, regulatory and licensing requirements. This includes compliance with Ontario’s labour and employment standards laws.

3. Permanent business

Your business must be permanent. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.

4. Business in Ontario

You must maintain a place of business in Ontario at all times.

Ineligible types of businesses

Before you start the process of applying you need to ensure that your proposed business is not one of the ineligible types listed below.

  • automated car wash business
  • holding companies
  • laundromats
  • pawnbrokers
  • pay day loan and related businesses
  • scrap metal recycling
  • tire recycling
  • a business involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
  • businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees

If your proposed business will be located in the Greater Toronto Area, the following types are also ineligible.

  • existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
  • gas stations
  • bed and breakfasts

Use a representative to apply

You may choose to appoint an authorized representative like us Mr. Sanjay Adhikari (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) ICCRC Member, Govt. of Canada, as an immigration consultant  to provide advice or help with your EOI and application and to act on your behalf with the OINP.

Expression of interest

An expression of interest (EOI) is the first step. It is not an application. There is no fee to register an EOI.

The EOI is comprised of two components, for a maximum EOI score of 200 points:

  1. Self-Declared Score (126 points)
  2. Business Concept Score (74 points)

OINP will assess and score your Business Concept.  Your business concept will need to score at least 37 of the available 74 points (50%) to be placed in the EOI selection pool.

Whether you will be issued an invitation to apply is based on your EOI rank in the selection pool. Only the top ranked candidates are invited to apply.

Please note:

  • if you are selected, you will be invited to submit an application and you will be required to provide supporting documents to validate the information in your EOI
  • if your stage 1 application is successful, the information you provide in your EOI will become part of your contractual obligations under the performance agreement.

Example: If you are selected to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream and your EOI indicates you will make a $2,000,000 investment; your application must indicate you will be making an investment of at least $2,000,000. This will then be included in your performance agreement as the minimum investment you must make in order to be eligible for nomination for permanent residence.

EOI registration: To be done by your Authorized Representative to OINP

After you submit your EOI

Your EOI will be placed in a pool and will be ranked against other candidates. Periodically we draw the top scoring candidates from the pool and invite them to submit an application to OINP’s Entrepreneur Stream.

If you are invited to apply, we will submit an online application through the OINP e-Filing Portal.

If you are selected, we will send you (or your representative) an email inviting you to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream.

You will have 90 calendar days to submit your online application from the date of your invitation to apply.

If you are not selected within 12 months from the date of submitting your EOI, you will be removed from the selection pool. You have the option to submit a new EOI.

Review of Personal Net Worth (Third Party Verification Report)

If you are invited to apply, you will need to hire a qualified vendor to review your personal net worth and legal accumulation of funds. The qualified vendor will produce a report of your personal net worth and its legal accumulation which you must submit as part of your application.

The third-party vendors who are approved by OINP will be preparing the NVR. The Applicant will be notified accordingly.

Please note:

  • You must have an OINP file number before you can engage a qualified vendor. You will receive a file number with your invitation to apply. Net worth verification reports completed before you have been issued an invitation to apply, or by someone other than the qualified vendors above, will not be accepted.
  • The qualified vendors are required to complete a verification report within 60 days. Please ensure that you hire a vendor as soon as possible once you have been invited to apply in order to meet the 90 day submission deadline.
If you are invited to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream
  1. Review the Entrepreneur Stream Application Guide- as received by the OINP through your RCIC
  2. Have your supporting documents ready
Supporting documents

You must provide documents to support the information in your EOI and your application and to prove you meet the eligibility criteria.

All supporting documents must be scanned and uploaded in your online application as per the document checklist.

Please note: If you do not upload all of the required documents, your application will be considered incomplete and will be returned and your fee refunded.

Cost to apply

The application fee is $3,500 for you and $3,500 for your business partner (if applicable). This fee covers the cost of processing your application.

Refunds

OINP will only refund the fee if we find your application is incomplete or you withdraw your application before we start to process it. It will not refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful.

Submit an online application by your representative
  1. Before you start, make sure you meet all the mandatory requirements
  2. Pay the OINP Application fee
  3. Have your supporting documents (in English or French) scanned and ready to upload
  4. Read the application instructions sent to you in the email inviting you to apply (important)
Application instructions
  • you can complete the application by your representative on your behalf
  • you must submit your application within 90 calendar days of receiving your invitation to apply
Attend a mandatory interview

Once OINP have assessed your application, you will be notified by email whether your application is complete. If it is complete and appears to meet program criteria, you and your business partner (if applicable) will be required to attend an in-person interview at our office in Toronto.

The purpose of the interview is to get a better understanding of your business plan and your past experience.

You are responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs associated with the interview. If you (or your partner, if applicable) are unable to attend the interview, your application may be returned and/or refused and your processing fee will not be refunded.

After you apply
  • if your stage 1 application is successful you will be asked to sign a performance agreement
Changes in personal information

You must notify us if there are any changes to the information provided in your EOI or your application including (but not limited to) changes in:

  • contact information
  • immigration status (expiration or change in work permit)
  • family composition due to:
    • marriage or common-law relationship
    • birth of a child
    • change of custody of a child
    • divorce/separation
    • death
Sign a performance agreement

If your stage 1 application (including your interview) is successful, you will be asked to sign a performance agreement with the Government of Ontario.

The performance agreement will outline the commitments that must be met in order to be nominated for permanent residence. The document will include, but may not be limited to:

  • a description of your business
  • investment amounts and timelines
  • number and types of jobs to be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • mandatory business milestones and achievements
  • timeframes for commitments
Get a temporary work permit

After you sign the performance agreement, we will issue a letter of confirmation enabling you and your business partner (if applicable) to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a temporary work permit. This letter constitutes Ontario’s support for you and your family to move to Ontario to start the business. We will apply for your Work Permit.

IRCC is responsible for issuing all work permits in Canada.

Establish your business

During the time you are establishing your business you must check in with us on a regular basis. Refer to the Entrepreneur Stream Application Guide to learn more about these requirements, will be provided to you.

1. Arrive in Ontario

You must arrive in Ontario with your valid temporary work permit within 12 months from the date you received your letter of confirmation from the OINP.

You must tell us you have arrived in Ontario within seven days of getting here.

2. Build your business

Once you get to Ontario, you have 20 months from the date you arrive to implement your business and meet all commitments under your performance agreement.

You must ensure that the required permanent full-time jobs are continuously filled for at least 10 months, up to the day you submit your final report.

OINP officers will monitor your business to make sure you stay on track to meeting your obligations under your performance agreement. You will also be required to provide quarterly reports and a final report to OINP.

3. Submit a final report

You must submit your final report to us between 18 and 20 months after you arrive in Ontario.

Get nominated for permanent residence

After we confirm that your new business has met the commitments outlined in the performance agreement, we will ask you for supporting documentation (please refer to the Entrepreneur Stream Application Guide) to ensure you (and your business partner) meet the nomination requirements listed below.

1. Language

You must be able to listen, read, write and speak English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4.

For English tests, the OINP accepts:

  • International English Language Testing (IELTS) (General Training test only)
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) (General test only)

For French tests, the OINP accepts:

  • Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
  • Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Learn more about the English and French language tests

2. Residency

You must be physically living in Ontario for 75 per cent of the time during which you are establishing your business.

3. Active management

You must be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities of your business.

If you are nominated

If your application for nomination is successful you will receive a Letter of Nomination and an OINP Certificate of Nomination.

Your next step is to apply within six months for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

You will need to include your Letter of Nomination and the OINP Certificate of Nomination.

Monitoring after nomination

Post-nomination monitoring will continue for a period of 36 months after you have been nominated. This monitoring is to ensure that nominees are meeting the Entrepreneur Stream criteria up until the granting of permanent residence.

After permanent residence has been granted, monitoring will continue to collect valuable information from former nominees to assist with the evaluation of the Entrepreneur Stream

British Columbia

Entrepreneur Immigration: British Columbia welcomes Entrepreneurs who will invest and run a valid business in BC. The province’s Entrepreneur program requires the following:

  • Personal Requirements:
    • Net worth: $600,000 CAD
    • Demonstrate business and/or management experience
    • Have or be eligible for legal immigration status in Canada
  • Business, job and investment requirements:
    • Establish an eligible business or purchase and improve an existing one
    • Make an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 CAD
    • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian or PR

Quebec

Quebec’s Business People program requires that you explore Quebec with a visit, develop your business project and apply as a business person in order to be accepted into that stream.  We can help you evaluate the opportunities available if Quebec is your area of interest/focus.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s Entrepreneur program requires the following:

  • Personal Requirements:
    • You are 21 years of age or older
    • Want to settle in Nova Scotia
    • Have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD
    • Demonstrate a language proficiency of CLB5 or higher
  • Business, job and investment requirements:
    • You are able to invest $150,000 CAD
    • You have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum),
    • Or more than 5 years in a business mgt. role
    • Complete the online Expression of Interest & receive an ITA from Nova Scotia Office of Immigration

New Brunswick

The province operates two Entrepreneurial streams for both experienced business owners and recent foreign graduates.

Entrepreneurial: This stream is for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to live permanently in New Brunswick and:

  • Are 22 – 55 Years old
  • Can demonstrate a language proficiency of CLB5 or higher
  • Have at least 2-year post-secondary education
  • Have a Net Worth of $600,000 CAD or more, (with $300,000 CAD in the form of liquid and unencumbered funds)
  • Enjoy a business ownership of 100% OR have 5 Years’ experience, in the last 5 years, in a Senior Business management role
  • Willing to invest a Min. of $250,000CAD in Canada

Post Graduate Entrepreneurial: This stream is for recent foreign graduates from a recognized university in NB, who want to live permanently in New Brunswick and:

  • Are 22 – 40 years old
  • Can demonstrate a language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher
  • Have at least 2-year post-secondary education (15 hours of class per week)
  • Resided in NB during the academic program
  • Enjoy a 100% business ownership (owned and operated a business in NB for at least one full year)
  • Have a valid post-graduation work permit
  • Demonstrate your intent and ability to settle in NB

Manitoba

The province of Manitoba operates its own investor programs. Here are some details pertaining to each of its investor/entrepreneurial streams:

Business Investors: To qualify for this stream, you need to:

  • Have a verifiable Net Worth of $350,000 CAD
  • Are willing to invest a Minimum of $100,000 CAD in Canada
  • Have a business management experience of at least 3 years
  • Score at least 60 points on Manitoba’s Adaptability Matrix, which evaluates:
    • Age
    • Business knowledge
    • Experience
    • Language
    • Other settlement factors

Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative: In order to qualify for this stream, you need to:

  • Have a verifiable Net Worth of $350,000 CAD or more
  • Conduct a farm research visit.
  • Have at least 3 years of business/managerial experience

Prince Edward Island

The province facilitates unique opportunities for entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in PEI. In this context, the province operates the following streams:

100% Ownership Stream: In order to qualify for this stream, you need to:

  • Be a foreign national with extensive management or business-ownership experience
  • Have the desire and intention to own a business in PEI (100% ownership)
  • Have a Net Worth of $600,000 CAN or more
  • Be willing to invest $200,000 CAN or more in Canada

Partial Ownership Stream: In order to qualify for this stream, you need to

  • Be a foreign national with extensive management or business-ownership experience
  • Have the desire and intention to invest partially in a PEI business
  • Have a Net worth of $600,000 CAN or more
  • Be willing to invest at least $200,000 CAN or more in Canada

Work Permit Stream: To qualify for this stream, you need to:

  • Be a foreign national with extensive management or business-ownership experience
  • Be willing to move to PEI on a temporary basis to start your business, and eventually become a permanent resident
  • Have a Net worth of at least $600,000 CAN
  • Be willing to investment at least $200,000 CAN in Canada

Saskatchewan

The province of Saskatchewan operates two distinguished business streams.

Entrepreneur Category: In this stream, you can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan. Other criteria to fulfill to be qualified for this stream:

  • Meet eligibility criteria set by Saskatchewan
  • Have a Net worth of $500,000 CAD or more
  • Invest:
    • $300,000 CAD in Regina and Saskatchewan OR
    • $200,000 CAD in all other Saskatchewan communities

Farm Category: In order to qualify for this stream, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Have a Net worth of at least $500,000 CAD
  • Invest at least $75,000 CAD
  • Conduct a mandatory visit to Saskatchewan
  • Demonstrate Farm operation knowledge and experience

Alberta

The province of Alberta has facilitated one business program for self-employed farmers.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream:  This stream is for those who have the financial resources and farm management experience to purchase and establish a farm in Alberta.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories encourage business candidates to start a business and life in the territory under the following stream:

Business Stream: This stream is for foreign nationals who can establish or purchase an existing business. Primary selection is on the ability to create jobs. Steps to nomination are:

  • Self-Assessment, Initial Investigation, followed by further investigations and face-to-face interviews
  • Initiating the application and pre-screening process
  • Submitting application, its review and approval/Business Performance Agreement
  • Developing the business
  • Nomination
  • Net worth: $500,000 CAN
  • Investment: $250,000 CAN
  • Ownership: At least 33%

Yukon

As a Territory, Yukon has its own business program which is briefly explained below.

Business Nominee Program: A business nominee to Yukon must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Obtain 65 points or more on the Yukon assessment grid
  • Education: High school at minimum (higher education if the nature of the business requires him/her to be so)
  • Experience: Min. 3 years of entrepreneurial or management experience + Min. 5 years of relevant work experience
  • Net worth: $500,000 CAD or higher ($300,000 CAD liquid assets)
  • Investment: $300,000 CAD in the first two years

Consult our Immigration Consultant Mr. Sanjay Adhikari for a professional advice.

Ring us to know more about your eligibility and share your profile to serve you better.

Call or WhatsApp +1 647-937-0878 Today!