Startups in Canada

The program aims to attract innovative foreign entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and drive economic growth.

To be eligible, Startup Visa applicants must:

Meet the minimum English or French language requirements (CLB 5 in all abilities).

Have sufficient funds to support their stay in Canada.

Plan to settle in a province other than Quebec.

Pass Canadian security and medical clearances.

Prove that your business is supported by a designated organization.

Show that your business meets the ownership requirements.

No more than five foreign nationals can apply for permanent residence as part of a business investment under the Startup Visa Program.

Commitment Documents

To demonstrate that the applicant has received support from a venture capital fund, investor group or business incubator, the investing organization must submit a completed Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC. This document contains information about the agreement between the applicant and the investing organization. Its purpose is to summarize the details of the commitment between the investing organization and the applicant.

Multiple Organization Support

Applicants may receive support from multiple designated organizations, known as syndication. In this case, all entities involved must be identified. Together, the designated organizations provide IRCC with a Certificate of Commitment and a Letter of Support is provided to the applicant(s).

How to Apply:

You must provide your biometric information

In most cases, you must now provide your fingerprints and photograph (biometrics) upon application.

About the Process:

The Canada Startup Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada who:

are innovative

can create jobs for Canadians

can compete on a global scale

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the Startup Visa Program, you must:

Have an eligible business

Receive a letter of support from a designated organization

Meet the language requirements

Have enough money to settle the bill

After you apply

Have your fingerprints and photo taken

Medical examination

Police clearance

Decision on your application

Approval of permanent residency

200,000 CAD if the investment is from a Canadian venture capital fund or designated incubators or 75,000 CAD if it is from a Canadian angel investor group. Minimum investment

No specific experience required

No EOI system number

Management experience required

Business plan not required

Business visa visit required

Interview upon request by IRCC

No refundable deposit required

Immediate permanent residency/work permit

You must have the support of a designated organization that will provide the letter of support to the applicant.

Startup visa applicants must provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents upon arrival in Canada.

The amount required depends on the size of the family.

Additional requirements

 

Work immigration to Canada

Work immigration to Canada through Canada’s Business Class immigration programs is Canada’s goal to attract individuals who have a significant potential to contribute to the Canadian economy. These programs aim to promote economic development and improve the labour market by attracting investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals from outside Canada with venture capital, significant business acumen and entrepreneurial skills.

Business Class immigration also seeks to create new business opportunities in Canada and improve Canada’s access to growing foreign markets by welcoming foreign nationals who are familiar with those markets and their unique requirements and customs.

If this option sounds like a good fit for your experience and goals, there are several immigration pathways you can choose from. Depending on where you plan to reside, you can apply through one of the programs offered by a specific province, such as the Quebec Business Immigration Programs or the federal government. Start exploring your options by starting a free assessment, and we’ll be happy to discuss your business class immigration options with you.

Which Canadian Business Class Immigration Program is best for you?

I have a significant net worth and am ready to invest in a Canadian business

Depending on the amount of capital you have available to invest in Canada, there may be several options available to you. For example, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program allows individuals to immigrate to Canada by making a passive, government-guaranteed investment. If you’re looking for a more active investment, there are a number of Entrepreneur and Provincial Nominee programs available for immigration that require you to invest and start a business in Canada. You may also want to consider the Entrepreneur Start-up Visa Program. Since there are so many options available to you, we encourage you to complete a free assessment to take advantage of our extensive experience and discuss your options with an expert.

I am looking to start a business in Canada

Your business management and ownership experience may qualify you for a number of entrepreneur categories in the provincial and federal nominee programs or for business immigration programs offered by Quebec. Start with a free assessment of our intimate knowledge of

Use these programs.

I want to move to another Canadian province

Each province encourages the immigration of entrepreneurs and business managers through their provincial programs. These programs require you to invest your capital or management skills in a business located in one of the Canadian provinces. Depending on which province you are considering for your new Canadian home, there are a number of programs. We welcome you to start your free assessment so we can determine the best option for you.

I am self-employed and established in my field

Canada welcomes self-employed individuals in a variety of fields based on their success and reputation in their field. These fields range from agriculture to athletics to the arts. Start your free assessment today to find out if your self-employment experience qualifies you for one of the self-employed immigration programs.

Available Business Immigration Programs

Business Investor Programs:

Depending on your net worth, ability and willingness to invest in Canada, management skills and business acumen, investing in Canada can be a path to permanent residency.

Entrepreneurial Immigration to Canada:

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur in the Canadian economy, the Canadian government, as well as some Canadian provinces, offer favorable options.

Start-up Visa Program

The Start-up Visa Program encourages immigrant entrepreneurs to develop their companies in Canada. Successful applicants are connected with private sector organizations in Canada, where they can receive funding, guidance and expertise to open and operate their company in Canada. With the Start-up Visa, Canada targets entrepreneurs who have the potential to create innovative companies that can compete on a global scale and create jobs.

Provincial Nominee Programs

Canadian provinces offer a range of entrepreneur categories in their provincial nominee programs. Through one of these categories, immigrant entrepreneurs can settle in a specific province.

Self-Employed Immigration to Canada:

To be eligible for business immigration to Canada under the Self-Employed Individuals Program, an applicant must demonstrate relevant agricultural, artistic or sporting experience that will allow the applicant to successfully operate in Canada as a self-employed person.

Business Immigration Programs Canada – Federal & Provincial
Federal Self-Employed Program
Minimum Net Worth N/A
No Minimum Investment Required
At least 2 years of relevant cultural or sports experience in the past 5 years
EOI System No
Management Role Required
Business Plan None
Exploratory Visit Not Required
Interview Upon Request by IRCC
Refundable Deposit Not Required
PR/Work Permit PR Immediate
Additional Requirements English/French Proficiency and Work Experience in a Designated Occupation
All self-employed individuals must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members for at least one year after arrival in Canada.

Self-employed immigrants must score a minimum of 35 points out of 100 based on the program’s five selection criteria and unique points system.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneurial Immigration Stream
Minimum net worth of CAD$600,000
Minimum investment of CAD$200,000 or CAD$400,000 if proposed by a key staff member
Experience 3+ years of business ownership or management experience OR 4+ years of senior management experience OR 1+ year of business ownership and management experience and 2+ years of senior management experience within the past 10 years.
EOI system Yes (province publishes information on previous draws)
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit recommended
Interview upon request by BC PNP
Non-refundable deposit required
PR/Work Permit 2-year work experience prior to acceptance letter for permanent residence (PR); PR Conditional to Business Proposal
Additional Requirements Create at least one full-time, permanent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with the proposed business

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
Minimum net worth of CAD$500,000
Minimum investment of CAD$250,000 for businesses in the Manitoba Capital Region. Or CAD$150,000 if the business is outside the Manitoba Capital Region and must be established in an eligible business and must create or retain at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Manitoba).
Experience Business ownership and management experience or experience at an executive level in 3 of the last 5 years. And business owners receive more points compared to senior managers. And business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to be eligible for the points.
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit Business research visit must be completed no more than one year prior to submitting EOI.
Interview required
No refundable deposit required
PR/Work permit Temporary work permit; PR is subject to meeting program requirements
Additional requirements 60+ points on the assessment grid
Refundable deposit of CAD$100,000 no longer required
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Post-Graduation Entrepreneurship Stream
Minimum net worth N/A
Minimum investment applicant must have 100% equity ownership of the qualifying business
6 years or more of experience in the past 10 years in NOC O, A or B or 1-5 years in the past 10 years in NOC O, C or D
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan may be requested (business must be for

(economic benefit)
Exploratory visit not specified
Interview required
Refundable deposit not specified
PR / PR work permit upon receipt of provincial nomination certificate
Additional requirements 22-40 years of age

CLB 7 in English or French in reading, writing, listening and speaking

Valid post-graduation work permit

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — International Graduate Entrepreneurship Stream
Minimum net worth N/A
Minimum investment 100% equity ownership of eligible business
Minimum 1 year continuous business ownership experience in Nova Scotia prior to submitting EOI

Completed a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate degree from a university/college in Nova Scotia

EOI system Yes (Province may release information about draws after future draws; EOI must be submitted while you have a valid work permit)
Management role required
Business plan No
Exploratory visit required
Interview Required
No refundable deposit required
PR / PR work permit upon receipt of provincial nomination certificate
Additional requirements Business must meet additional criteria
English/French Minimum CLB 7

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) — 100% ownership
Minimum net worth of CAD$600,000
Minimum investment of CAD$150,000
Management experience required
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit not specified
Interview required
Refundable deposit of CAD$200,000
PR / PR work permit upon receipt of provincial nomination certificate
Additional requirements CLB 4 in English or French

21-59 years old
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Corporate Stream
Minimum net worth –
Minimum investment of CAD$5,000,000

or $10,000,000 Canada if the proposed business is a land development or a rental company.

International company experience must be established for at least 36 months at the time of application
No EOI system
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit recommended
Interview required
Non-refundable deposit required
PR/Work Permit Applicant and key staff first obtain a work permit. PR is conditional on meeting program requirements
Additional Requirements Create 5 new jobs for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for each key employee seeking nomination

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category
Minimum Net Worth CAD$500,000
Minimum Investment N/A
Experience Experience owning a farming operation using farming practices similar to those used in Saskatchewan-based agriculture
EOI System No
Management Role Essential
Farm Establishment Plan (FEP) Business Plan Required
Exploratory Visit Required
Interview Upon Request
Refundable Deposit CAD$75,000
PR/Work Permit 2-Year Work Permit; PR is subject to meeting program requirements
Additional requirements Submit a farm establishment plan

Sign an executive agreement

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Work Permit Stream
Minimum net worth CAD$600,000
Minimum investment N/A
Management experience required
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit recommended
Interview required
Refundable deposit CAD$7,500 of the $10,000 application fee will be refunded if application is denied or withdrawn.
PR / Work Permit Letter of support from the province for work permit application; receive nomination once all terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement are met
Additional requirements CLB 4 in English or French; Minimum Secondary Education

21-59 years old

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
Minimum Net Worth CAD$500,000
Minimum Investment CAD$500,000 in a Primary Production Agriculture Business
Experience Farm Management Experience in an Existing Farm Business
EOI System No
Management Role Required
Business Plan Required
Exploratory Visit Recommended
Interview Required
Refundable Deposit Not Required
PR/PR Work Permit Upon Obtaining Provincial Nomination Certificate
Additional Requirements Canadian Financial Institution Must Fund Proposed Alberta Agriculture Business

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
Minimum Net Worth CAD$300,000
Minimum Investment CAD$100,000
Experience 3+ years of business ownership or management experience OR 4+ years of senior management experience OR 1+ year of business ownership and management experience and 2+ years of senior management experience in Last 10 years.
EOI system Yes (province publishes information on previous draws)
Management role required
Business plan required
Interview strongly recommended
Refundable deposit upon request by BC PNP
Exploratory visit not required
PR/Work permit Minimum 12-month work permit period prior to nomination; PR subject to implementation of business proposal
Additional requirements Association referral required for registration; must create at least one permanent, full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
Minimum net worth of CAD$500,000
Minimum tangible asset investment of CAD$300,000 Not eligible to establish an agricultural business in rural Manitoba and investment in a farm business conducted primarily for passive investment income or speculative purposes.
A minimum of three years of farm business management experience or farm ownership and operation supported by verifiable documentation.
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit Commercial farm research visit required
Interview required
Refundable deposit CAD$75,000
PR / Work permit Temporary work permit; PR subject to meeting requirements

Program
Additional requirements No longer requires a refundable deposit of CAD$100,000.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurship Stream
Minimum net worth of CAD$600,000
Minimum tangible asset investment of CAD$300,000 to establish an agricultural business in rural Manitoba and investments in a farm business conducted primarily for passive investment income or speculative purposes are not eligible.
A minimum of three years of farm business management experience or farm ownership and operation experience supported by verifiable documentation.
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit Farm business research visit required.
Interview required
Refundable deposit of CAD$75,000
PR/Work permit Temporary work permit; PR is subject to meeting program requirements
Additional requirements No longer requires a refundable deposit of CAD$100,000.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream
Minimum net worth of CAD$600,000
Minimum investment of CAD$150,000
Experience Minimum 3 years of business ownership experience including 33.3% ownership in the past 10 years OR

+5 years as a senior manager in the past 10 years

EOI system Yes (province publishes information on previous draws)
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit required for business succession only
Interview required
Non-refundable deposit required
PR/Work Permit Must have been in business for at least 1 year with a work permit after nomination. PR is conditional on meeting program requirements
Additional Requirements Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Business must meet additional criteria

English/French minimum CLB 5

Northwest Territories Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Business Stream
Minimum net worth for businesses in Yellowknife, CAD$500,000 or for businesses outside Yellowknife, CAD$250,000
Minimum investment in Yellowknife, CAD$300,000 and minimum 33.3% ownership or outside Yellowknife, CAD$150,000 and minimum 33.3% ownership or investment CAD$1,000,000
Experience Relevant work experience required
EOI system No
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit required
Interview required
Refundable deposit CAD$75,000
PR/Work Permit 2-year work permit; PR is subject to meeting program requirements
Additional requirements CLB 4 in English or French

Business must create significant benefits for the Northwest Territories, including jobs for local residents.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category
Minimum net worth of CAD$500,000
Minimum investment of CAD$300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon and at least 33.3% ownership or CAD$200,000 in any other Saskatchewan community and at least 33.3% ownership or investment of CAD$1,000,000 or more
Experience of at least 3 years of experience as an entrepreneur or managing a business in the past 10 years
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required
Exploratory visit required for business succession, joint ventures and regional business opportunities
Interview upon request from SINP
No refundable deposit required
PR/Work Permit 2-year work permit; PR is subject to meeting program requirements
Additional requirements Sign an executive agreement

Create more than 2 jobs if establishing a business in Regina or Saskatoon

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur Stream
Minimum net worth for businesses in the Greater Toronto Area CAD$800,000 or for businesses outside of this area CAD$400,000 or for businesses in the ICT/digital communications sector (regardless of location): CAD$400,000
Minimum investment in the Greater Toronto Area CAD$600,000 and 33.3% ownership of the business or outside of this area CAD$200,000 and 33.3% ownership of the business or in the ICT/digital communications sector: CAD$200,000 and 33.3% ownership of the business
Experience At least 24 months of full-time work experience in the past five years as a business owner or senior manager
EOI system Yes (provincial information on previous lottery draws (managerial role required)
Business plan required
Exploratory visit required for job placement only
Interview required upon OINP request
Refundable deposit not required
PR/Work Permit Temporary Work Permit; PR is conditional on meeting program requirements
Additional Requirements Sign an Executive Agreement with Ontario
Minimum English/French CLB 4
Create at least 2 permanent, full-time jobs for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
Minimum net worth of CAD$500,000 (including CAD$300,000 in cash assets)
Minimum investment of CAD$300,000 and at least 1/3 ownership with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident partner
Minimum 3 years of entrepreneurial/business management experience and at least 5 years of related work experience
EOI system Yes
Management role essential
Farm Establishment Plan (FEP) business plan required
Exploratory visit recommended, applicants will be awarded points for past visits
Interview required
Non-refundable deposit required
PR/Work Permit 2-year work permit; PR is conditional on meeting program requirements
Additional Requirements Business must be in a strategic sector, as determined by the territory

Must score 65+ on the assessment grid

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) – Partial Ownership
Minimum net worth of CAD$600,000
Minimum investment of CAD$150,000 and percentage ownership in an existing business with at least 1/3 ownership or $1,000,000 investment
Experience Management experience requiredSet
EOI system Yes
Management role required
Business plan required, must be in a qualifying business sector as determined by the provincial government
Exploratory visit required
Interview required
Refundable deposit of CAD$200,000
PR / PR work permit upon receipt of nomination certificate
Additional requirements Submit investment agreement
Minimum IELTS band 5 score in the last 2 years
50+ score on the Assessment Network