On This Page You Will Find
- An overview of Canada’s provincial entrepreneur immigration programs
- Business immigration requirements in British Columbia
- Details on Alberta’s entrepreneur and graduate entrepreneur streams
- Information on Manitoba’s Entrepreneur and Farm Investor pathways
- Nova Scotia’s entrepreneur stream requirements and process
- New Brunswick’s business immigration eligibility
- Criteria for Prince Edward Island’s Entrepreneur Work Permit Stream
- Investment thresholds in the Northwest Territories and Yukon
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a provincial entrepreneur immigration program in Canada?
Provincial entrepreneur programs allow businesspeople to start or buy a business in a specific province or territory. Each program has its own requirements related to investment, net worth, language ability, and experience.
How much do I need to invest to immigrate as an entrepreneur to British Columbia?
In B.C.'s main Entrepreneur Immigration stream, you must invest at least $200,000 in a business and create one full-time job. The regional stream requires a lower investment of $100,000 in rural communities.
Can I apply for permanent residence directly through a provincial entrepreneur program?
No. Most provinces require applicants to first operate a business on a work permit. Once business conditions are met (usually through a performance agreement), candidates may be nominated for permanent residence.
Are language requirements the same across all programs?
Most programs require at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French. Some programs, like Nova Scotia’s, require a higher level (CLB 5). Language ability must typically be proven before nomination.
Is there a program for entrepreneurs in Northern Canada?
Yes. The Northwest Territories and Yukon both operate business nominee programs. Minimum investment requirements vary depending on whether the business is located in a major centre or a rural community.
