Entrepreneur Immigration

Requirements

• Establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
• Investment of minimum $200,000 in the new or existing business.
• Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Net worth of minimum $600,000.
• Business and/or management experience.
• Canadian Language Benchmark 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.

Process

1) Registration

Complete an online registration including a short business concept and pay non-refundable fee of $300. Candidates are scored on the information they provide and are place in a pool for six months or 180 days, or until they receive an invitation.

2) Invitation

British Columbia carries out regular draws, on average one each month for the Entrepreneur stream. Candidates who are invited to apply have four months to submit a complete application. The score takes into account English language ability, age and Canadian work experience. Candidates can improve their score while in the pool, including by submitting a new business concept/plan.

3) Net Worth Review

Candidates receiving an invitation to apply will have their net worth reviewed by a qualified supplier, who is a professional chartered accountant. The review includes the amount and source of funds and supporting documents. The candidate is responsible for all costs. The legality of your funds will also be taking into consideration.

4) Application

Candidates have four months, or 120 days, to submit an application once an invitation is received. Candidates may be required to attend an interview. Approved applicants must sign a performance agreement with B.C. They then have 20 months, or 610 days to implement their business proposal.

5) Building the Business

Candidates get a letter of support from B.C. to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a two-year work permit. Candidates and their dependents must arrive in B.C. with a valid work permit within 12 months, or 365 days, of receiving a letter of confirmation. The 20 months to implement the business starts when the candidate lands in Canada. At the end of the period, candidates must submit a final report to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

6) Nomination for Permanent Residence

Candidates who meet the terms of their performance agreement are nominated for Canadian permanent residence by B.C.

Dependents (if applicable) will also receive nominations.

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.

Application Process

1. Exploratory visit
2. Discuss proposal with BC PNP officials and register company’s interest to apply
3. Apply

The Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream is managed by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) 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.

Requirements

To qualify under the Self-Employed Farmer Stream, the applicant must have:

• Managerial experience with an existing farm enterprise;
• Education, training and work experience necessary to develop a sustainable farming business in Alberta;
• A business plan for the farming enterprise to be developed in Alberta;
• Evidence that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance the proposed farming enterprise;
• A minimum of $500,000 of equity to invest in the farming enterprise;
• A minimum net worth of $500,000 or confirmation of access to these funds.

International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in the province. Candidates must initially establish or operate their business for at least 12 months while in Alberta on a work permit, before being nominated for permanent residence once the terms of a Business Performance Agreement are met.

Requirements

• Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalencies. For example, experience with a business incubator or business accelerator, or completion of entrepreneurship program courses.
• Have completed at least two years of full-time education in Alberta, resulting in a degree or diploma from a designated post-secondary institution in Alberta. Completion of program of study must result in qualifying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
• Have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) valid for at least 2 years at the time of your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
• Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for each in one of the following: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
• Must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with a minimum 34% ownership. The proposed business type must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.

To Apply:

• Submit an Expression of Interest, EOIs will be reviewed and scored within 30 days of submission. The highest-ranking candidates will be requested to submit a Business Application.
• Submit Your Business Application Package Within 90 Days When Selected From EOI Pool and Non-Refundable $3,500 Application Fee.
• Business Application assessment, If a candidate’s Business Application is approved, they will be sent a signed Business Performance Agreement (BPA). The BPA is a legal agreement between the candidate and the province of Alberta. It must be signed and returned to the AINP in 14 days. After the AINP receives the signed BPA, candidates will be issued a Business Application Approval Letter.
• Establish Your Business in Alberta, candidates can live in Alberta and actively own and operate their business for at least 12 months, with at least 34 percent ownership after receiving Business Application Approval Letter.
• Final Report for AINP Nomination, Once the conditions of the Business Performance have been met, a final report for nomination is submitted to the AINP. if the final report is approved, the AINP will send a nomination certificate to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and send the candidate a nomination letter. Where Candidate can use to apply for Permanent Residence.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream

The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur stream is a three-stage process:

• Expression of interest
• Invitation to submit application
• Nomination

Successful candidates initially come to Canada on a temporary work permit.

They become eligible to apply for nomination after a minimum of 6 months spent establishing their business.

The minimum entry requirements for expression of interest:

• Minimum net worth of $500,000 legally acquired.
• Minimum of three years of entrepreneurial or relevant management experience.
• Investment of at least $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon, or $200,000 is any other Saskatchewan area.

Each Candidate receive a score based on their expression of interest (EOI), and only the top candidates are invited to submit an application.

Applications must include:

• Business Establishment Plan confirming figures in expression of interest, and including at least one third ownership of a company in Saskatchewan, unless investment is $1 million or higher.
• Commitment to be active in day-to-day management of business.
• Creation of two or more jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if the business is located in Regina or Saskatoon.

Application Process:

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Candidates must submit an Expression of Interest to the SINP

2. Invitation to Apply

The top scoring candidates of EOI are issued Invitations to Apply.

Applicants that pass the SINP’s assessment stage sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) based on their submitted Business Establishment Plan (BEP).

3. Business Establishment

Approved candidates establish and actively operate their business while in Saskatchewan.

4. Nomination

Once a candidate satisfies the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, they can apply to be nominated by the SINP for permanent residency.

Applicants that close or sell their business upon earning an SINP nomination and prior to obtaining permanent residence will have their nomination revoked

Entrepreneur Pathway replaces the previous MPNP-B stream. It 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 within the first 24 months of arrival in Canada on a temporary work permit. Applicants are no longer required to submit a deposit of $100,000 to the Manitoba Government.

Requirements:

• Minimum of three years of full time work experience in the past five years either as an active business owner or working in a senior management role of a successful business. Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. Business owners must have at least 33% or 1/3 ownership to qualify for points.
• Minimum CLB/NCLC 5
• Minimum Canadian high school certificate equivalent
• No minimum or maximum age, ranking points are allocated to candidates 25 to 49 years of age
• Minimum investment is $250,000 for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region. Minimum investment is $150,000 if a business is situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region. Business Investment must be made in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP. The proposed business 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).
• A Business Plan is required and is an integral part of the application. A business research visit allows the applicant to conduct extensive research of their future business investment or proposal. The Business Research Visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of your EOI.
• Minimum of $500,000. Your personal net worth will be verified by a third-party supplier approved by the MPNP. A verification report, along with the application, must be submitted to the MPNP within 120 days of receiving your LAA.
• Bounus points for Spouse Higher Language, and previous Study/Employment in Manitoba.

Application Process:

• Submit Expression of Interest (Business Concept Form, Self-Assessment Form; and MPNP Code of Conduct Included)
• Pay $2,500.00 CAD Non-Refundable Processing Fee
• Your application will be assessed by a minimum of two Business Immigration Officer (BIO)s who will review the information provided in the application prior to making a recommendation to approve or refuse.
• Once approved, you will apply and come to Canada on Work Permit.
• Sign a BPA.
• You are required to submit Progress Reports to the MPNP: First Progress Report: within six (6) months of the Date of Arrival. Final Progress Report: no later than 20 months after the Date of Arrival.
• You should have been operating your business for no less than six (6) months immediately prior to submitting the Final Progress Report to the MPNP.
• If the MPNP is convinced that you have successfully fulfilled all terms and conditions in your BPA, a recommendation will be made to nominate you. This recommendation will be reviewed by the Director of the MPNP before a final decision is made to issue you a Confirmation of Nomination.
• Apply For Permanent Residence with letter of recommendation/nomination.

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at individuals from outside Canada who want to start a business or buy an already existing business in Ontario. Those who are approved for the program will be nominated for Canadian permanent residence. Once nominated, an applicant qualifies to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Requirement:

• Have at least 24 months of full-time owner or senior manager business experience in the past 60 months.
• Have a minimum net worth of $800,000 if your proposed business will be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
  • If your proposed business will be outside of the GTA, the minimum net worth requirement is $400,000.
  • If your proposed business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, the minimum net worth requirement is $400,000.
• Be ready to invest at least $600,000 in an Ontario business and possess at least 33% equity ownership if the business is in the GTA.
  • If the business is outside the GTA, you must be ready to invest at least $200,000 and have at least 33% equity ownership.
  • If the business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, you must be ready to invest at least $200,000 and have at least 33% equity ownership.
• Commit to creating two full time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the proposed company if the business is located inside the GTA.
  • If the business is outside the GTA, you must create at least one job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • If the business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, you must create at least one job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• 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

Application Process:

• Submit expression of interest
• If invited, submit an application
• You and your business partner (if applicable) attend a mandatory in-person interview at the OINP office in Toronto
• If application is successful, you must sign a performance agreement
• Government will issue a temporary work permit support letter so that you can apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit
• You have 20 months to implement your business plan and submit a final report
• If your business meets all requirements, Government ask you for documentation to make sure you are eligible for nomination for permanent residence.
• Apply for Permanent Residence

Entrepreneurial Stream

The New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneurial Stream is aimed at professionals ready to invest in a business in the province and move there with their families.

The primary requirements are:

• Have an eligible connection to New Brunswick.
• Be aged between 22 and 55.
• Minimum two years post-secondary education degree or diploma.
• Score at least level 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark exam for speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French.
• Have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education.
• The legally-acquired personal net worth of at least $600,000, of which $300,000 must be available in unencumbered liquidity.
• Invest at least $250,000 in a New Brunswick business, taking ownership of at least 33 percent.
• Sign a Business Performance Agreement with the New Brunswick provincial government and pay a deposit of $100,000.
• Business must create significant economic benefits for New Brunswick.
• Show business experience – either three years of ownership or five years of senior management experience in the last five years.
• Submit a business concept of 1,000 to 1,500 words.
• Conduct an exploratory visit to New Brunswick, or participate in an information session offered by the New Brunswick provincial government.
• Intend to live permanently in New Brunswick.

Application Process

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

Candidates submit a self-assessed Expression of Interest. Only the top-scored candidates will be invited to apply.

2. Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Selected candidates receive an Invitation to Apply. Candidates have 90 days to submit an immigration application to the New Brunswick immigration department.

Candidates who receive an ITA must use a designated accounting services provider to complete a net worth verification report.

3. Application Assessment

New Brunswick officials assess your application, including the quality and feasibility of the business plan. This stage may include an interview.

4. Nomination Decision

Approved candidates receive a letter with instructions for submitting a signed and dated Business Performance Agreement and the deposit of $100,000 to the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. This must be done within 60 days of receiving the letter.

5. Permanent Residence Application

Successful candidates received a nomination from New Brunswick, for use in applying to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence

Landing and Business Establishment In New Brunswick

Within 30 days: Report your landing to the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

With 60 days: Participate in a face-to-face meeting with an official from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Within 180 days: Participate in face-to-face progress report meeting with an official from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Within two years: Within two years candidates must have established their business in line with the Business Performance Agreement. The period is non-extendable. Failure to establish the business results in forfeiture of a $100,000 deposit.

Within three years: Within three years of the candidate’s landing date, or one year of the business commencement date (whichever is first), the candidate can apply for a refund of the $100,000 deposit, provided the terms of the Business Performance Agreement are met.

Work Permit Stream is for foreign nationals with business ownership or extensive management experience who would like to move to PEI  to start their business, and eventually become a permanent resident.

Requirements:

• have a minimum verifiable legal personal net worth of $600,000
  
• have a minimum education of secondary school equivalent
• be within 21-59 years of age at the time of application
• have transferable management skills and past employment or business ownership experience
• meet minimum language requirements equivalent to a CLB/NCLC 4
• intend to live and work in PEI while providing day-to-day active and ongoing management of your PEI-based company
• Attend an interview with staff from the Office of Immigration
• Meet the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement signed with the Office of Immigration

Application Process

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

Candidates submit a self-assessed Expression of Interest. Only the top-scored candidates will be invited to apply.

2. Apply

Once you are approved for the application process, you will submit all required documents along with $10,000 application fee.

3. Interview

Applicants who meet the requirements for 100% Ownership program will be invited to PEI for an interview. While they are in PEI for the interview

4. Submission of Business and Settlement Plans

If the interview was successful. Applicant will be asked to submit a business plan to the PEI Immigration Office. The applicant will also be requested to provide a settlement plan describing how the applicant and family dependents plan to settle in PEI.

 5. Apply for Work Permit

After the candidate signs performance agreement, government of PEI will a letter of support to the Canadian government allowing the applicant to apply for a work permit.

6. Nomination for Permanent Residence

If the applicant complies with the terms and conditions of the performance agreement, the applicant will receive a letter of nomination approval and a letter of instruction from the PEI government. The applicant must then use these documents to apply for permanent residence with the Canadian federal government.

Entrepreneur Program Requirements:

• Open to immigrants aged 21 to 59.
• Transfer $500,000 in net business and personal assets to the province.
• Have two years of experience managing a business.
• Candidates must establish themselves and their business on a temporary work permit, before being nominated for permanent residence after at least one year.