Canada Investment Visa & Business Immigration Programs

Obtain Canadian PR through Investment. Canadian Business Immigration programs for entrepreneurs, self-employed, investors and senior executives. 20+ Options for Canada Investment Visa.

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Canada offers dozens of immigration pathways for foreign businesses, entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals and senior executives. You can obtain permanent residency through Canada Investment Visa and Business Immigration programs.

The best thing about Canada’s Investment Visa is that your family can live, study and work in Canada. This guide will find all the possible Canadian business immigration pathways and their essential eligibility criteria.

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Canada Investment Visa and Business Immigration Options Available in 2024

Canada offers investment immigration options for foreign business owners, investors, and businesses that qualify candidates for permanent resident status. Instead of a single Canada Investment Visa, there are multiple business immigration programs offered at the federal and provincial levels.

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Federal Business Immigration Programs

Canada’s Self-Employed and Start-up Visas are the primary federal programs for business immigration to Canada. These programs are operated at the federal level and have unique eligibility requirements.

Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP)

Canada’s Self-Employed Visa Program is for candidates with self-employment experience in athletics or arts. This program is attractive because it doesn’t require a minimum net worth. Candidates must demonstrate that they possess the skills to be self-employed in Canada. Additionally, they must significantly contribute to Canada’s cultural life or sports.

Startup Visa Program (SUV)

Canada’s Startup Visa Program is for entrepreneurs who can start a long-lasting business that will offer employment for Canadians and benefit the economy. Many entrepreneurs favour this program because it doesn’t require an initial investment. In addition to this, an applicant’s permanent resident status won’t be revoked if the business fails.

Canada Investment Visa Programs (PNPs)

Canada Investment Visa Programs are offered by various provinces in Canada for foreign business owners and senior management professionals. At least CAD 100,000-200,000 is required for business immigration to Canada by investment through any of these Business Immigration Provincial Streams. Additionally, you must obtain a minimum CLB 5 score in IELTS or equivalent tests to qualify. Each Canadian investment visa program under these streams has unique minimum eligibility requirements.

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration

British Columbia currently offers the following BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration programs:

BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category – establish a business in BC province to obtain permanent residency.

Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum Investment: $200,000 CAD

BC PNP Regional Pilot Program – obtain Canadian PR by investment in regional communities of BC.

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 300,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 100,000

BC PNP Strategic Projects – for foreign corporations looking for investment opportunities in BC.

Equity Investment: CAD 500,000
Excellent Financial Standing
Job Creation: At least three or more

Learn more: BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program Requirements

OINP Entrepreneur Stream

OINP Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream for business owners. It comes under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Its requirements are as follows:

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 800,000 plus 33.3% ownership if the business is in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). CAD 200,000 plus 33.3% ownership if the business is outside GTA. Alternatively, CAD 200,000 and 33.3% ownership if the business is in the ICT/Digital Communications industry.

Minimum Investment: CAD 300,000 if the business is in GTA, plus 33.3% ownership. CAD 150,000 for businesses outside GTA, plus 33.3% ownership. Alternatively, a CAD 1,000,000 investment. Experience: 24 months as a business owner or a senior manager in the last five years.

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to OINP Entrepreneur Stream

Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program offers three streams for entrepreneurs. These are:

AAIP – Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 300,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 200,000

AAIP – Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

No minimum investment
Ownership: 34% or greater with Canadian citizens or permanent residents as partners.
Experience: Min. 3 years as a business owner or four years in a senior management role.

AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Minimum Investment: CAD 100,000 (Urban Center), CAD 50,000 (outside Calgary and Edmonton)
Ownership: 34% or higher (Urban Center), 51% (outside Calgary and Edmonton)

AAIP – Farm Stream

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 500,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 500,000

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration

Manitoba's Business Investor Stream

Manitoba offers the MPNP Business Investor Stream, in which there are two Canadian business immigration routes:

MPNP Entrepreneur Pathway

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 500,000
Ownership: 33.3% or greater
Experience: Minimum 3 years in business ownership or senior management role

MPNP Farm Investor Pathway

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 500,000
Farm Ownership and Work Experience: 3 years

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream

Saskatchewan SINP Business Immigration

Saskatchewan offers SINP Entrepreneur Immigration Programs to attract such entrepreneurs and farmers. These are:

SINP Entrepreneur Category

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 500,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 300,000 (in Saskatoon or Regina), CAD 200,000 for businesses in other parts

SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur

Age: Graduates must be over the age of 21
Ownership: 33.3% or greater

SINP Farm Owner/Operator Category

Age: Graduates must be over the age of 21
Ownership: 33.3% or greater

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to Canada’s Startup Visa Program

New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

New Brunswick offers the following Canada Investment Visa Streams:

New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream

Age: 22-55
Minimum Net Worth: CAD 600,000 (out of which CAD 300,000 must be liquid)
Minimum Investment: CAD 150,000

Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Steam

Age: Between 22-34
Ownership: 33.3% or greater

Learn more: A Guide to New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

Nova Scotia offers two NSNP Investment Immigration Pathways to Canada, making the process smoother for individuals who want to set up businesses there.

NSNP Entrepreneur Stream

Age: At least 21
Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum Investment: $150,000 CAD

NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur

Age: Graduates must be over the age of 21
Minimum Business Revenue: Variable depending on the. of employees

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream

Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur Stream

Newfoundland & Labrador currently offers two NLPNP Investment Immigration programs that cater to foreign entrepreneurs and business owners. These are:

NL PNP International Entrepreneur

Age: 21-59 years
Minimum Net Worth: CAD 600,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 200,000

NL PNP International Graduate Entrepreneur

Age: Above 20 years
Language Proficiency: CLB 5 or NCLC 7 (English or French)

Learn more: A Guide Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur Stream

PEI PNP Business Impact Category

Prince Edward Island currently offers PEI PNP Business Impact Category for business people. It has the following requirements:

Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD
Minimum Investment: None
Experience: Management experience

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to PEI PNP Business Impact Category

NWT Nominee Program Business Stream

NWT government has introduced a particular investment immigration category known as Northwest Territories Business Stream for foreign individuals who want to start or purchase and operate a business in NWT.

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 250,000 if the business is in Yellowknife, CAD 150,000 for businesses outside Yellowknife
Minimum Investment: CAD 300,000 if the business is in Yellowknife, plus 33.3% ownership. CAD 150,000 for businesses outside Yellowknife

Learn more: A Guide to NWT Nominee Program Business Stream

Yukon Business Nominee Program

The Yukon Business Nominee Program is one of Yukon’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) that caters to foreign entrepreneurs and business people.

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 500,000. This includes $300,000 in liquid assets
Minimum Investment: CAD 300,000 plus 33.3% ownership along with a partner who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident

Learn more: A Step By Step Guide to Yukon Business Nominee Program

Quebec Entrepreneur & Investment Streams

Quebec offers the following Canada Investment Visa Programs:

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 200,000
Minimum Investment: CAD 1,200,000

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Minimum Net Worth: $900,000 CAD
Minimum Investment: Holding 25% of the equity in a business the applicant creates or 51% of the equity they acquire

Quebec Immigrant Self-Employed Program

Minimum Net Worth: CAD 100,000
Start-up Deposit: CAD 300,000 if the business is in Montreal’s metropolitan area. CAD 25,000 if the business is outside Montreal’s metro area.

Business Immigration to Canada (Step-By-Step)

ELAAR’s licensed Canada investment visa experts can manage the entire process for you. Here is a step-by-step Canadian Business Immigration process for the investors, entrepreneurs, self-employed persons, senior managers and executives.

STEP 1: Choosing a Business Idea

Choosing the right business idea is vital for the success of any Canada Investment Visa application. It is the most critical step and foundation of successful business immigration. At ELAAR, we make the business idea selection process more accessible by using the following steps:

Information Gathering: We start by gathering information related to each applicant’s financial background, interests, and other relevant areas to their chosen immigration program’s requirements.
Process 15 to 20 Ideas: Our experts then propose 15 to 20 business ideas based on the information gathered during step 1.
Brainstorm Session: Next, our experts analyze different aspects of the applicant’s background as well as their chosen program. This includes, Investment amounts, Areas of interest, Industries and Sectors, Economic Indicators, and Business Eligibility Requirements.
Narrow ideas down to a Top 5: Our experts conduct thorough market research and narrow the ideas above down to the top 5.
Determine the Top 2: We then critically evaluate each of these ideas and select the two best ones with the highest chance of success.
Business Idea Selection Report: Our experts compile their research and findings in a report that contains the top 2 recommendations. Clients can review the data to understand how we narrowed down the list of choices and produced our findings.
Make Your Decision: The last step is for clients to decide which business idea they would like to pursue. This step is vital, as the client will be responsible for setting up and operating their future business in Canada. Our suggestions consider their background and interests, but the final decision will always be up to the client.

STEP 2: Business Immigration Pathway Selection

Numerous Canadian Business immigration and investment visa programs are open to prospective business owners and entrepreneurs. You may already have a great business idea, but you may have trouble choosing the program that offers the most accessible pathway for your unique background and investment amount. At Elaar Immigration, we can assess your unique situation and recommend a suitable Canada Investment Visa based on our expertise and experience.

STEP 3: Starting the Business Immigration Process

Starting the Canadian Business Immigration process can be daunting to do independently. At Elaar Immigration, we ensure each of our clients is up to speed with the requirements for their chosen Canada investment immigration program. We also offer assistance with gathering the necessary documentation and creating solid business plans. The entire process can be summarized as follows:

Start a New business, Buy a Canadian Business or Expand a Business to Canada
Apply for a work permit as an executive of your company
Run your business in Canada for at least one year
Apply for Canadian permanent residency
Get Canadian Citizenship

STEP 4: Assistance With Business Setup

Our Canada Investment Visa experts can also help you set up your business in Canada. They can utilize their business expertise and connections with the community to ensure your business is up and running in compliance with local laws.

STEP 5: Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency

Once you have set up or acquired a qualifying business in Canada, our experts can help you apply for permanent residence. We can assist you with your application and ensure you comply with the requirements.

STEP 6: Apply for the Canadian citizen

After you have resided in Canada as a permanent resident for many years, our immigration consultants can assist you with becoming a Canadian citizen. We understand the ins and outs of the citizenship process and can help you check if you meet the requirements for citizenship before guiding you through the process.

Components of a Solid Business Plan for Canada Immigration

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Entrepreneur Work Permit Pathways

Entrepreneur LMIA (New Owner Operator): This program allows business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors to apply for LMIA and enter Canada as an entrepreneur.
Intra Company Transfer Canada: International Mobility Program that allows foreign business owners to expand their business into Canada.
C11 Entrepreneur Stream: The C11 Entrepreneur Stream, popularly known as the C11 Work Permit, is another Federal immigration program under the International Mobility Program.
C10 Significant Benefit Work Permit: The C10 work permit, also known as the R205 work permit, is a temporary work permit issued to foreign professionals who present a significant social, cultural, or economic benefit to Canada.

Benefits of Canada Investment Visa Programs

There are multiple benefits to obtaining Canadian PR through the Investment Visa route:

Live and run your business in Canada
Bring your family with you
Spouse will get an open work permit
Free education for children in the Canadian public school system
No minimum investment is required in several investment visa options
Processing times range from 3 months to 24 months
Become eligible for Canadian Citizenship through investment

How to Get Canada PR by Investment?

There are several ways to obtain Canadian PR through investment immigration programs. Entrepreneurs and investors may have to go through the following steps to gain Canadian Permanent Residency through investment:

Determine Eligibility for Investment Immigration
Choose a Canadian Business Immigration Program
Registering an Expression of Interest
Prepare a Business Concept and a Strong Case File
Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Wait for Application Assessment
Apply for a Temporary Work Permit
Establishing your business in Canada
Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency

Different Ways to Obtain Canada PR through Investment

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FAQs: Canada Business Immigration

Which business sectors are preferred by IRCC?

IRCC prefers businesses that meet the following criteria:

Belong to key economic industries such as agriculture, mining, energy, cybersecurity, farming, and financial services.
Include significant benefit activities such as developing novel products and services, increasing Canada’s exports, and value-added businesses.
Offer a significant investment exceeding $250,000 CAD, create jobs for at least two Canadians, and generate enough revenue to pay employee wages.

Can you get direct Canadian citizenship by investment?

Canada does not currently offer any routes for Canadian citizenship by investment. However, business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors can eventually become Canadian citizens by first investing in Canadian businesses and obtaining permanent resident status.

Which businesses are not preferred for Canada Business Immigration?

Some of the businesses that the IRCC generally dislikes include:

Automated car wash businesses
Pawnbrokers
Hobby farms
DVD rental stores
Coin-operated laundromats
Real estate development businesses
Scrap metal recycling

Can I buy a business in Canada and get PR?

You can obtain permanent resident status after buying a business in Canada. This requires candidates to first come to Canada on a temporary work visa and identify a business to purchase. They must then complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and submit a suitable business plan.

Once they receive an LMIA, the candidate can apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry or one of the Provincial Nominee Programs.

Do these programmes require a minimum financial investment from me?

Indeed, there are business immigration programmes that demand a substantial financial commitment from applicants, such as the Start-Up Visa Programme and the Immigrant Investor Programme. The precise amount of the investment varies according on the programme.

How much time does it take to complete a business immigration application?

Each programme has a different processing period, which can be anywhere from a few months to more than a year. Processing timelines can be affected by a number of factors, including the completeness of your application and the amount of applications received.

What are the advantages of Canadian business immigration?

In addition to providing access to top-notch healthcare and education, a stable and welcoming environment, and the ability to live and work in Canada, business immigration also gives the possibility to support the country’s economy.