Provincial Nominee Programs, Quebec and Federal – Business Immigration
Some Canadian provinces will nominate applicants for permanent residence candidates as part of their respective enterprise immigration programs. If you are interested in living in one of the provinces listed below, or if you are applying for immigration to Quebec or as part of the federal Entrepreneurship Program, please review and compare the eligibility criteria and the application processes.
Use the following set of slides to compare programs and find the one that’s right for you, or start your free evaluation today and determine which programs are available based on your unique qualifications and interests.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
| Program | Quebec Immigrant Investor Program – A new application intake period began on September 10, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 15, 2019. |
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $2,000,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $1,200,000 risk-free through an approved financial intermediary or by financing that investment. |
| Experience | Management experience in 2 of the past 5 years which involves the control of financial resources and material or human resources |
| EOI System | NO |
| Managerial Role | None |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Required or waived |
| Refundable Deposit | Not required |
| PR/Work permit | PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) |
| Additional Requirements | Medical examination and background check |
Quebec Entrepreneur
| Program | Quebec Entrepreneur – A new application intake period began on August 15, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2019. |
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $900,000 of financial resources. |
| Business Ownership/operation* | Holds and controls, alone or with the accompanying spouse at minimum 25% of the equity of the enterprise he or she creates or at least 51% of the equity of the enterprise he or she acquires. |
| Experience | Management experience in 2 of the past 5 years which involves the control of financial resources and material or human resources |
| EOI System | NO |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Required |
| Start-up Deposit | CAD $300,000 for a business in the metropolitan area of Montreal or CAD $200,000 for a business outside the metropolitan area of Montreal |
| PR/Work permit | PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a contract to prove financial self-sufficiency and demonstrate a secondary school general diploma level of education. Provide a performance guarantee deposit of $200,000 that is refundable in certain conditions are met. |
Quebec Business Immigration - Self-Employed
| Program | Quebec Business Immigration - Self Employed – A new application intake period began on August 15, 2018, and 19 |
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $100,000 |
| Minimum Investment | Not Required |
| Experience | 2 years of self-employed experience in the profession or trade the applicant intends to practice in Quebec |
| EOI System | NO |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Required |
| Start-up Deposit | Register a start-up deposit of at least CAD $50,000 at a local financial institution if based in the metropolitan area of Montreal or at least CAD $25,000 if based outside of Montreal |
| PR/Work permit | PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) |
| Additional Requirements | Register a start-up deposit of at least CAD $50,000 at a local financial institution if based in the metropolitan area of Montreal or at least CAD $25,000 if based outside of Montreal. |
Federal Start-Up Visa Program
| Program | Start-Up Visa Program |
| Minimum Net Worth | None |
| Minimum Investment | $200,000 if the investment comes from a designated Canadian venture capital fund or designated incubators OR $75,000 if it comes from a designated Canadian angel investor group |
| Experience | No specific requirement |
| EOI System | NO |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Not Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work Permit | PR immediately |
| Additional Requirements | Have the support of a designated organization that will provide the applicant with a Letter of Support |
Self-Employed Persons Federal Program
| Program | Self-Employed Persons Federal Program |
| Minimum Net Worth | None |
| Minimum Investment | Not Required |
| Experience | At least 2 years of relevant cultural, athletic, or farm ownership and management experience in the past 5 years |
| EOI System | NO |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Not required |
| Interview | Required upon request of IRCC |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work Permit | PR immediately |
| Additional Requirements | English/French ability Work in one of designated occupations |
Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
| 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 |
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) - Entrepreneur Stream
| 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 |
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program - Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
| Program | Manitoba Business Investor Stream - Entrepreneur Pathway |
| Minimum Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $250,000 for businesses in the Manitoba Capital Region. OR $150,000 if a business is outside of the Manitoba Capital Region AND Must be made in an eligible business AND Must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives). |
| Experience | Business ownership and management experience or executive-level experience in 3 of the past 5 years. AND Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. AND Business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to qualify for points. |
| EOI System | Yes (Remains closed for EOIs, will reopen in 2018.) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Business research visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of an EOI |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work Permit | Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Score 60+ points on assessment grid $100k refundable deposit is not a requirement anymore |
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program - Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
| Program | Manitoba Business Investor Stream - Farm Investor Pathway |
| Minimum Net Worth | $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 tangible assets to establish a farming business in rural Manitoba. AND Investments in a farm business operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income or speculative purposes are not eligible. |
| Experience | Minimum of three years of farm business management or farm ownership and operation experience supported by verifiable documents. |
| EOI System | Yes |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Farm Business Research Visit Required |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work Permit | Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Score 60+ points on assessment grid $100k refundable deposit is not a requirement anymore |
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) - Entrepreneurial Stream
| Program | Manitoba Business Investor Stream - Farm Investor Pathway |
| Minimum Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $250,000 |
| Experience | 3 out of 5 years or more in owning a business OR 5 out of 5 years or more in a senior business management role |
| EOI System | Yes |
| 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 | 22-55 years old Ability in English or French |
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) - Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
| Program | New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) - Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream |
| Minimum Net Worth | N/A |
| Minimum Investment | The applicant must have 100% ownership of the equity of the eligible business |
| Experience | 6 or more years in the last 10 years in NOC O, A or B OR 1-5 years in the last 10 years in the NOC O, A or B |
| EOI System | Yes |
| Managerial Role | Not specified |
| Business Plan | May be requested (business must be of economic benefit to the province) |
| Exploratory Visit | Not specified |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not specified |
| PR/Work Permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | 22-40 years old Ability in English or French Have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - Entrepreneur Stream
| 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 |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
| Program | Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream |
| Minimum Net Worth | N/A |
| Minimum Investment | 100% ownership of the equity of the eligible business |
| Experience | At least 1 continuous year of business ownership experience in Nova Scotia Completed a degree of at least 2 years' duration at a university/college in Nova Scotia |
| EOI System | Yes (province may publish info on draws after future draws are made; EOI must be submitted while on valid work permit) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Required |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work Permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | The business must meet additional criteria English/French minimum CLB 5 |
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) - Entrepreneur Business
| 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% ownership OR $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 |
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) - Corporate Stream
| 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 |
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) - Entrepreneur Stream
| 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 OR For 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 4 Create 2 permanent, full-time jobs for Canadians or permanent residents |
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) - 100% Ownership
| 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 | Not specified |
| 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 |
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) - Partial Ownership
| 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 |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Entrepreneur Category
| 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) |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Farm Owner/Operator Category
| 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 |
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
| 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 |
Contact us today with any questions concerning business immigration to Canada. We will get back to you quickly regarding your immigration, business and investment options.
