Welcome to your guide for business immigration programs in Canada, including the Start-Up Visa! Look no further than this page to find out about entrepreneur, business and investment immigration programs Canada has to offer.
Canada operates programs at federal, provincial and territorial level. If you are business-minded and want to immigrate to Canada, the chances are there is a program here for you.
The diverse Canadian economy has many opportunities for success for business immigrants.
On this page, you will find:
- Information on Canada federal business programs, including the Start-Up Visa
- The latest requirements for Quebec’s program, including the Quebec Investment Immigration Program, Canada’s only passive investment offering
- Entrepreneur programs in Canada’s provinces. If you have a business in Canada idea, there is likely to be a pathway here
- Requirements for all of the above Canadian business immigration programs, including net worth, minimum investment, language ability and age.
- Which provinces require a business in Canada performance agreement? Which programs provide work permits? Everything you need to know is here.
Canada offers established and widely-used business immigration programs that offer direct and indirect permanent resident status.
In Canada, business immigrants can enjoy the benefits of a modern Canadian economy, a national health care program, affordable first-class education and a national pension system that provides measurable annual income upon retirement.
Business Immigration Canada Programs
- Start-Up Visa
- Self-Employed Visa (federal and Quebec)
- Quebec Immigrant Investor visa
- Quebec Entrepreneur
- Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur programs
The various entrepreneur and self-employed business immigration programs are aimed at individuals with a mid-range personal net worth who intend to establish and operate a business in Canada, the Quebec Investor visa is suited for those with a high net worth and French language ability who wish to make a passive investment with no obligation to establish a business in the Canadian economy.
Quebec’s is Canada’s only remaining investor visa. Other investor visa immigration programs were previously operated at both federal and provincial level, but have since been abolished.
Wealthy business immigrants may buy or establish a new business in Canada and qualify for a temporary work visa. Canada’s federal government used to have federal ‘owner-operator’ policies that offered Labour Market Impact Assessment exemptions, but these have been abolished. Still, it remains possible to move to Canada this way, and business immigrants may qualify for permanent residency after some time in the country.
More Information About Each Business Immigration Canada Program
Federal
At the federal level, there are several business immigration programs:
Start-Up Visa
The Start-Up Visa Program was established in 2013 and grants permanent residency and work permits to qualified business immigrants.
The program aims to recruit entrepreneurs and link them with private sector business in Canada.
After spending some time in Canada, candidates and their families can transition to permanent residency.
Federal Self-Employed Visa Canada
The federal Self-Employed Visa Canada is designed for individuals with relevant self-employment experience who wish to become permanent residents after setting up a business in Canada.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate both the intention and the ability to create their own employment, significantly contributing to Canada’s cultural, artistic, or athletic sectors.
Successful business immigrants typically have at least two years of relevant experience within the five years preceding their application, either through self-employment in cultural or athletic fields or by participating at a world-class level in these activities.
Buy a Business and Move to Canada
Although not a formal business program, Buy a Business and Move to Canada allows wealthy immigrants to move to Canada via Ottawa’s temporary work permit. Previous LMIA exemptions for this pathway have been abolished.
However, candidates can still buy an established business and qualify for a work permit via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Quebec
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
The Quebec Immigrant Investor visa is passive in nature, meaning that candidates are not required to establish or actively manage a business in the province.
Rather, the program requires an investment of $1.2 million into a prescribed (government guaranteed) investment, hence the name investor visa. Applicants for this investor visa must have the intention of settling in the French-speaking province of Quebec.
Successful investor visa applicants are issued a selection certificate from Quebec for Canada immigration, which allows them to obtain Canadian permanent residency following health and criminality examinations by federal immigration authorities.
The primary requirements are:
- French language proficiency;
- Legally acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
- Two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;
- Mandatory residency;
- Minimum investment of $1.2 million into a passive government-guaranteed investment for a period of five years bearing no interest;
- Minimum high school diploma;
- Intention to settle in the province of Quebec after getting the investor visa.
Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program aims to recruit individuals who have the skills and experience to operate a business in the province. The conditions to apply are different depending on the chosen stream.
Stream 1
This stream consists of managing a business in Quebec that the candidate created alone or with other partners (of which only 3 can be foreign nationals), with support from a business accelerator, a business incubator or a university entrepreneurship centre.
Stream 2
To apply under this stream, the entrepreneur must control at least 25% of the shares of a new enterprise, or at least 51% of an acquired enterprise, which must have a value equivalent or higher than the funds needed to start the business project.
The candidate must prove that they have legally acquired a net worth of $900,000, alone or with their spouse if applicable.
Quebec Self-Employed Program
To qualify under the Quebec Self-Employed Program, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Have two years of applicable experience in the profession they intend to exercise in Quebec.
- Possess a personal net worth of $100,000.
- Have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family.
- Provide a start-up deposit of at least $50,000 if the self-employed candidate is based in the metropolitan area of Montreal, and $25,000 if the candidate is located outside of Montreal.
Alberta
Alberta Farm Stream
The Farm Stream is managed by the AAIP in close collaboration with the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and targets applicants with farm management skills and sufficient financial resources to invest in a farming business in Alberta.
Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at qualified foreign-educated graduates from outside Canada, who wish to receive permanent residence upon launching start-up enterprises in Alberta.
Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in the province.
Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community.
British Columbia
British Columbia operates three business streams:
- Entrepreneur Immigration
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration
Requirements
- Establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
- Invest a minimum of $200,000 in the new or existing business.
- Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have a net worth of a minimum of $600,000.
- Have business and/or management experience.
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing, BY THE TIME OF NOMINATION.
- Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
- Have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.
- Pay a $300 registration fee, $3,500 application fee and $1,000 fee.
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream
The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream aims to attract entrepreneurs to rural parts of the province.
Community Requirements
- The population of less than 75,000.
- Located beyond 30 km from a municipality of more than 75,000 population.
- Demonstrated capacity to support foreign entrepreneurs with a network of settlement and business support agencies.
- Immigration and pilot-specific training must be completed by community representatives.
Candidate Requirements
- Desire to start a business and settle in a B.C. regional community.
- Complete an exploratory visit.
- Minimum of $100,000 CAD in eligible business investments.
- Minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD.
- CLB Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing, BY THE TIME OF NOMINATION.
- Minimum of 51 per cent ownership.
- Minimum of one new job created.
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects
The B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects stream assists foreign-controlled companies establishing an eligible business in B.C. with the timely entry of foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff who intend to become permanent residents of Canada and settle in B.C.
Company Requirements
- Make a minimum equity investment of $500,000 to establish or purchase and expand an eligible business in B.C.
- Create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff).
- Establish or purchase and expand a company in B.C.
Manitoba
Business Investor Stream
The Manitoba Business Investor Stream is aimed at qualified international business investors and entrepreneurs. Candidates are initially issued with a temporary work permit and must have the intent and ability to start or purchase a business in Manitoba within two years of arrival. The stream abolishes a previous requirement for a $100,000 deposit with the Manitoba government. There are pathways for entrepreneurs and for farm investors.
a) Entrepreneur Pathway
For applicants wanting to open a business in Manitoba. Candidates are initially issued with a temporary work permit. They are nominated for permanent residence after establishing a business meeting the conditions of a Business Performance Agreement. Priority is given to candidates starting businesses outside Winnipeg.
b) Farm Investor Pathway
For applicants wanting to open and operate a farm in rural Manitoba. Candidates are initially issued with a temporary work permit. They are nominated for permanent residence after establishing a business meeting the conditions of a Business Performance Agreement.
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream (NB BIS) is designed for experienced businesspeople ready to invest in and actively manage a business in New Brunswick.
Eligibility
To qualify, candidates must:
- Be 19 to 59 years old
- Score at least CLB 4 in all language skills
- Hold a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a verifiable personal net worth of at least $500,000 CAD ($300,000 if investing in agriculture)
- Own at least 33.3% of the proposed business
- Invest at least $150,000 CAD before taxes
- Demonstrate at least two years of business ownership or senior management experience in the last five years
- Submit a viable business plan
Northwest Territories
The North West Territories Business Stream is aimed at entrepreneurs with business expertise and investment capital, who wish to purchase or start a business in the region.
Northwest Territories Business Stream: Requirements
- Invest:
- A minimum of $300,000 equity into starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, or
- A minimum of $150,000 equity into starting or buying a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.
- Have a personal net worth of:
- At least $500,000 if starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, or
- At least $250,000 if starting or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream targets candidates with business ownership or senior management experience. They must live in Nova Scotia, either start a new business or buy an existing business, and actively participate in the day-to-day management of that business.
Under the Entrepreneur stream, candidates are first issued a temporary work permit before applying for permanent residence after operating the business for a year. The stream uses an Expression of Interest format, where candidates in a pool are invited to apply.
Entrepreneur Stream: Candidate Requirements
- Be aged 21 or older.
- Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business.
- Minimum net worth of $600,000 ($400,000 if their business is outside Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)).
- Minimum investment of $150,000 of their own money to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia ($100,000 if their business is outside HRM).
- Minimum 3 years of experience actively managing and owning a business (33 percent ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years of experience in a senior business management role.
- Score minimum of 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French.
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Entrepreneur Work Permit Stream is for individuals seeking to own and operate a business in PEI.
Eligibility Requirements
- Net worth of at least $600,000 from legal sources
- Secondary school or higher education
- Aged 21–59
- Relevant management or ownership experience
- CLB/NCLC 4 or higher
- Active role in PEI-based business
- Interview with PEI immigration officers
- Agreement to meet terms in a signed Performance Agreement
Yukon
Yukon Business Nominee Program allows entrepreneurs to own and operate their business in Yukon.
Candidates initially come to Yukon on a two-year work permit, before being nominated for permanent residence if they successfully establish their business.
Yukon Business Nominee Program: Requirements
- The legally-acquired net worth of at least $500,000, documented and verified by a Yukon accounting firm.
- Legally-acquired minimum of $300,000 in liquid assets, documented and verified by a Yukon accounting firm.
- Invest at least $300,000 in capital investments for the business in the first 2 years.
- This does not include any capital investments made before acceptance into the Yukon Business Nominee Program.
- Capital investments include purchases such as property or equipment. It does not include purchases such as a house, vehicles that are only partially for the business and operational or maintenance expenses.
Business Immigration Canada FAQ
How much money do I have to invest in Canada to get PR?
The Quebec Investor Visa – which is Canada’s only remaining investor visa – requires a passive investment of $1.2 million into a prescribed (government guaranteed) investment for a period of five years bearing no interest. This visa is for high-net-worth individuals who speak French and wish to settle in Quebec.
Who is eligible for a Canada business visa?
The eligibility criteria for all the programs offering a Canada business visa vary – both among themselves and in terms of the different streams that are offered under them. For example, Stream 1 of the Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program requires the management of a business in Quebec that the candidate created alone or with other partners (only 3 of whom can be foreigners), with support from a business accelerator, a business incubator, or a university entrepreneurship centre. Stream 2, on the other hand, requires that the entrepreneur have a legally acquired net worth of $900,000 and control at least 25% of the shares of a new enterprise, or at least 51% of an acquired enterprise. It is important to check the specific eligibility requirements for the program you are interested in.
Can I immigrate to Canada by investing money?
The Quebec Investor Visa is Canada’s only straight investment immigration program. While other investor visa immigration programs were previously operated at both federal and provincial levels, they have since been abolished.
Can I immigrate to Canada if I buy a business?
Many federal and provincial business immigration Canada programs allow individuals with a mid-range personal net worth to come to Canada on a temporary work permit and eventually acquire a Canada PR. These include the Start-Up Visa, the Self-Employed Visa (federal and Quebec), Quebec Entrepreneur, and the various Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Programs
