Provincial Entrepreneur Programs in Canada are immigration pathways offered by individual provinces and territories to attract and support entrepreneurs who wish to establish or invest in businesses within their jurisdictions. These programs are part of the broader Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and typically require applicants to have a viable business proposal, sufficient personal net worth, and a willingness to actively manage or invest in a business in the province or territory they intend to settle in. Successful applicants often receive a provincial nomination, which can expedite the Canadian immigration process, leading to permanent residency and the opportunity to contribute to the local economy through entrepreneurial endeavors. Each province or territory in Canada may have its specific eligibility criteria and business requirements, making it important for potential entrepreneurs to research and choose the program that best aligns with their business goals and aspirations.
The Business Investor Stream (BIS) allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba.
There are two pathways:
The Entrepreneur Pathway (EP) allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business people from around the world who have the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish, purchase a business or become partners in an existing business after arrival in Canada on a temporary work permit.
The renewed EP replaces the previous MPNP-B stream. Applicants are no longer required to submit a deposit of $100,000 to the Manitoba government.
| Program | Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 tangible assets AND Control at least 1/3 of equity (if investing in an existing business) OR $1,000,000 equity investment (if investing in an existing business) |
| Experience | Business ownership and management experience or executive-level experience in 3 of the past 5 years, in a successful business |
| EOI System | Yes (province does not publish info on previous draws, but may do so in the future) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Submission of Summary of Business Intent required |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | $100,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a mandatory Expression of Interest Score 60+ points on assessment grid |
The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
The Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It is established under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and its regulations. For your application to be approved you must follow the process and meet the criteria established under the regulations. This is only a summary; if there are any discrepancies between this webpage and the legislation, the legislation governs.
This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside 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.
| 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 |
| 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 ORF or 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 5 Create 2 permanent, full-time jobs for Canadians or permanent residents |
British Columbia Entrepreneur Program (BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration) and British Columbia Regional Pilot are two of the immigration pathways offered by the province of British Columbia, Canada, to attract experienced entrepreneurs from around the world. Learn more about the official British Columbia government website or consulting with a qualified immigration consultant for the most up-to-date information. The requirements are below.
British Columbia Business: Entrepreneurs-base (open)
British Columbia Regional Pilot
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must meet the following criterion at the time their application is mailed to the AAIP and at the time of assessment by the AAIP. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.
Candidates must prove that they have farm management skills.
Proof of this may include, but is not limited to:
Candidates must be able to invest a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
Documents must be provided that show a minimum net worth of CDN $500,000, or confirmation of the ability to access a similar amount of funds from other sources.
Candidates may be required to show the ability to invest more than the minimum.
Candidates must document their investment plans in a proposed business plan and submit this with their application to the AAIP. The proposed business plan will be reviewed by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to ensure the farming operation aligns with Alberta farming industry requirements.
Applications representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta’s agri-food targets will be given priority.
You are not eligible to apply under the AAIP Farm Stream if you:
Speak with our immigration experts and find out your options.
