Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) – Investor
Provincial nomination offers an additional option to applicants to seek Canada permanent residence.
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.
If you are a business person or manager looking to immigrate to Canada, the Business/Investor Immigration Programs may be an important fast-track Canadian immigration option for you.
Business immigration seeks to attract individuals with business and/or managerial experience who will contribute to the development of the Canadian economy.
If you’re looking to make an investment in Canada or to start/acquire a business in Canada, there may be several avenues for you to choose from. You can either apply under the federal start-up visa program
or, if you know which province/territory in which you plan to reside, you can look at the different investor or entrepreneur options under the provincial business immigration programs.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
| Program | Quebec Immigrant Investor Program – A new application intake period began on September 10, 2018, and is scheduled to run until March 15, 2019. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $2,000,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $1,200,000 risk-free through an approved financial intermediary or by financing that investment. |
| Experience | 2 years of business management experience in the past 5 years prior to the submission of an application in a specific enterprise (agricultural, commercial, or industrial, OR management experience in a governmental or international organization) and in a position defined as full-time. |
| EOI System | No |
| Managerial Role | No active managerial role required to apply |
| Business Plan | None |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | May be required as part of the application review. |
| Refundable Deposit | Not required |
| PR/Work permit | PR after first obtaining Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) |
| Additional Requirements | Background check and medical examination |
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
| Program | BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $200,000 OR CAD $400,000 if proposing 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 & management experience and 2+ years of senior management experience within the last 10 years. |
| EOI System | Yes (province publishes info on previous draws) |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended |
| Interview | Upon request of BC PNP |
| Refundable Deposit | Not required |
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
| Program | Manitoba Business Investor Stream — Entrepreneur Pathway |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $250,000 for businesses in the Manitoba Capital Region. OR CAD $150,000 if a business is outside of the Manitoba Capital Region AND must be made in an eligible business AND 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). |
| Experience | Business ownership and management experience or executive-level experience in 3 of the past 5 years. AND Business owners are given higher points in comparison to senior managers. AND Business owners must have at least 33 1/3% ownership to qualify for points. |
| EOI System | Yes |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Business research visit must be conducted no more than one year prior to the submission of an EOI. |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | Not Required |
| PR/Work permit | Temporary work permit; PR contingent on meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Score 60+ points on assessment grid CAD $100,000 refundable deposit is not a requirement anymore. |
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurial Stream
| Program | New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurial Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $250,000 |
| Experience | 3 out of 5 years or more in owning a business OR 5 out of 5 years or more in a senior business management role |
| EOI System | Yes |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required, must be of economic benefit to the province |
| Exploratory Visit | Required |
| Interview | Required |
| Refundable Deposit | CAD $100,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining provincial nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | 22-55 years old CLB 5 in English or French in reading, writing, listening and speaking |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream
| Program | Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $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 |
Northwest Territories Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Business Stream
| Program | Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) — 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 & at least 33.3% ownership OR outside Yellowknife: CAD $150,000 & at least 33.3% ownership OR CAD $1,000,000 investment |
| Experience | Relevant business Experience required |
| EOI System | No |
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur Stream
| Program | Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | For businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): CAD $1,500,000 OR for businesses outside the GTA: CAD $800,000 OR for businesses in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of location): CAD $800,000 |
| Minimum Investment | In the GTA: CAD $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 five years 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 4 Create at least 2 permanent, full-time jobs for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category
| Program | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Entrepreneur Category |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $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 CAD $1,000,000 investment or more |
| 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 | Upon request by SINP |
| Refundable Deposit | Not required |
| PR/Work permit | 2-year work permit; PR contingent upon meeting program requirements |
| Additional Requirements | Sign a Performance Agreement Create 2+ employment opportunities if establishing a business in Regina or Saskatoon |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category
| Program | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Farm Owner/Operator Category |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $500,000 |
| Minimum Investment | N/A |
| 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 | Upon request |
| Refundable Deposit | CAD $75,000 |
| PR/Work permit | PR after obtaining nomination certificate |
| Additional Requirements | Submit a Farm Establishment Plan Sign a Performance Agreement |
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
| Program | Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Net Worth | CAD $500,000 (including CAD $300,000 in liquid assets) |
| Minimum Investment | CAD $300,000 and at least 1/3 ownership with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident partner |
| Experience | Minimum of 3 years entrepreneurial/business management Experience & minimum of 5 years relevant work Experience |
| EOI System | Yes |
| Managerial Role | Required |
| Business Plan | Required |
| Exploratory Visit | Recommended, applicants are awarded points for past visits |
| Interview | Required |