Requirements for Ontario Entrepreneur Stream Immigration Program

Applicant Requirements for Ontario Entrepreneur Stream Immigration Program

Applicants under the OES must:

• Have at least 24 months of full time business experience in the past 60 months.
  • The experience must be as an owner or senior manager of a business.
• 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 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.
• Additional requirements if purchasing an existing business
  • Make at least one business-related visit to Ontario within 12 months from the date of registering an Expression of Interest.
  • 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.

At the time of nomination, applicants under the OES must:

• Score minimum CLB 4 in English or French.
• Actively involved in the daily management of the business
• Physically reside in Ontario for at least 75% of the time in which you are managing the business.

If you are applying with a business partner, the partner must also meet all the requirements described above.

Business Requirements for  Ontario Entrepreneur Stream Immigration Program

1. Business purpose

• The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services.

2. Canadian and Ontario legal requirements

• Your business must comply with all relevant federal, provincial or municipal legal, regulatory and licensing requirements. This includes compliance with Ontario’s labour and employment standards laws.

3. Permanent business

• Your business must be permanent. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.

4. Business in Ontario

• You must maintain a place of business in Ontario at all times

Ineligible Business

The following businesses inside the GTA are ineligible:

• Existing Franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted).
• Gas Stations
• Tire Recycling
• Scrap Metal Recycling
• Pawnbrokers
• Bed and Breakfasts
• Holding Companies
• Laundromats
• Automated Car Washes
• Pay day loan businesses

The following businesses outside of the GTA are ineligible:

• Tire Recycling
• Scrap Metal Recycling
• Pawnbrokers
• Holding Companies
• Laundromats
• Automated Car Washes
• Pay day loan businesses

Read more about the Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.