Business and Investor Programs

Canada attracts foreign national with business experience through its federal and provincial business immigration programs in order to contribute to economic growth. Business immigrant applicants are selected primarily on the basis of their ability to create jobs for themselves and other Canadians. The program allows experienced business persons immigrate to Canada who can stimulate national and regional economic development with their financial capital and business knowledge. Requirements for business and investor programs vary depending on the subcategory.

Start-Up Visa Program (SUV)

Start-Up Visa program (SUV) links immigrant entrepreneurs with private Canadian designated investor groups or venture capital fund organizations that have experience working with start-ups and can provide essential resources. SUV program is unique in the world and applicants do not need to invest their own money. It is for the entrepreneurs with skills and potential to start new business in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and able to compete on a global scale.

Eligibility Requirements for SUV

Letter of support from a designated organization;

The minimum language requirements are CLB level 5 in all four language competency areas in English of French;

Sufficient settlement funds; and

One year Canadian equivalent of post-secondary education.

Self-Employed Persons Program

In order to qualify for this program, applicants must have relevant experience and the intention and ability to be self-employed and to make a significant contribution to specified economic activity in Canada. Two years of experience is required in cultural activities or athletics, or experience in managing a farm. Selection of self-employed persons is points based system, however is different from that of Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. Applicants must score 35 or above out of 100 points based on five selection factors: age, education, language proficiency in English or French, experience, and adaptability.

Quebec Investor

To be eligible for this program, a candidate must:

Have net worth of CAD$1.6m, obtained legally. Invest CAD$800K for 5 years;

Have 2 years of experience in management in the last 5 years in a legal farming, commercial or industrial business, or in a legal professional business where the staff, excluding the investor, occupies at least the equivalent of two full-time jobs, or for an international agency or a government or one of its departments or agencies.

Quebec Entrepreneur

To be eligible for this program, a candidate must:

Have net worth of CAD$300K;

2 years of experience in the last 5 years operating full-time a lawful and profitable business;

Create a new business or buy an existing business.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Corporate Stream

Your corporation and your key staff must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply to the Corporate Stream, including:

Your corporation must invest a minimum of $5 million CDN in a new or existing business

Your corporation must create five full-time, permanent positions for Canadian citizens or permanent residents per key staff

Key staff seeking nomination must be currently employed with the corporation and be essential to the establishment, continued operation and success of the business in Ontario

Key staff must meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 5) level or equivalent in order to be nominated after your business has been established in Ontario

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Entrepreneur Stream

You must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. If you are applying with a business partner, your business partner must also meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria include the following:

3 years full-time business or senior managerial experience;

You and your business partner (if applicable) must each make a minimum investment of $800,000 depending on the location and sector of your proposed business and personal investment of minimum $500,000 depending on the location;

You and your business partner (if applicable) must each create at least two full-time permanent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents;

You and your business partner (if applicable) must both meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or equivalent in order to be nominated after your business has been established in Ontario

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Entrepreneur Immigration

Have $500,000 (CAD) at minimum in Net Business and Personal Assets;

Have a minimum of three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience gained in the past ten years; and,

Intend to invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWTNP): Business Stream

To be eligible for the business stream of the Nominee Program, an applicant must be able to commit to one of the following investments:

A minimum of $300,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories;

A minimum of $150,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The applicant must also provide proof of a personal net worth of:

At least $500,000 CDN to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories;

At least $250,000 CDN to start or buy a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories;

Demonstrate that they own at least one-third (33.3%) of the business;

Where your personal equity investment is at least $1,000,000 you may own less than one-third (33.3%) of the business pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations section 87(6)(b)(ii);

An additional $75,000 to be kept in a trust account that will be released upon completion of the Business Performance Agreement, based on the applicants business proposal.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP): Entrepreneur

To apply you must:

Be 21 years of age or older;

Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;

Have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD;

Be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia;

Have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role;

Have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;

Complete an online Expression of Interest;

Receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.