2020-02-27 – Ontario immigration issued 20 Invitations to Apply in the first draw of 2020 through the province’s Entrepreneur Stream.
The February 26 draw saw ITAs issued to Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) candidates scoring between 136 and 200 points.
Candidates who submitted an Expression of Interest between November 22, 2019 and February 14, 2020 were eligible for consideration.
This was the first Ontario Entrepreneur draw of 2020 and the first since December 2, 2019, when 16 candidates were invited with a minimum score of 118.
It was also the third since a raft of changes were introduced on July 8, 2019.
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Ontario Slashes Entrepreneur Stream Investment, Net Worth and Experience Requirements
Minimum Score Drops In New Ontario Entrepreneur Stream Draw
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: 2020 Draws
| Date | NOIs | Minimum score range |
| 26-02-2020 | 20 | 136-200 |
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: 2019 Draws
| Date | NOIs | Minimum score |
| 02-12-2019 | 16 | 118 |
| 20-09-2019 | 15 | 127 |
| 05-04-2019 | 22 | 112 |
| 17-01-2019 | 13 | 115 |
The changes included reducing net worth requirements from $1.5 million to $800,000 for businesses inside the GTA, and from $800,000 to $400,000 for those outside.
The minimum investment requirement was also cut from $1 million to $600,000 for businesses inside the GTA, and from $500,000 to $200,000 for those outside.
Required business experience was reduced from 36 months within the last 60 to 24 months within the last 60.
Summary of Changes To The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream
| Requirement Description | Before July 8, 2019 | After July 8 2019 |
| Net worth for proposed business inside GTA | $1.5 million | $800,000 |
| Net worth for proposed business outside GTA | $800,000 | $400,000 |
| Net worth for proposed business in involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications | $800,000 | $400,000 |
| Minimum investment for proposed business inside GTA | $1 million | $600,000 |
| Minimum investment for proposed business outside GTA | $500,000 | $200,000 |
| Minimum investment for proposed business in involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications | $500,000 | $200,000 |
| Business experience as owner or senior manager | 36 months within last 60 months | 24 months within last 60 months |
The changes also saw Ontario terminate the unpopular Corporate Stream, which was aimed at established international corporations that wanted to expand into Ontario or buy an existing Ontario business.
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: Financial Requirements
1) Net Worth
- Minimum net worth of $800,000 if your proposed business will be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Outside the GTA, minimum net worth is $400,000.
- Proposed business in either ICT or digital communications, minimum net worth is $400,000 anywhere in province.
2) Investment and Ownership
- Invest at least $600,000 in an Ontario business and own at least 33 percent if the business is in GTA.
- Outside GTA, invest at least $200,000 and own at least 33 percent.
- Proposed business in either ICT or digital communications, invest at least $200,000 and own at least 33 percent anywhere in province.
Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: Non-Financial Requirements
- At least 24 months of full-time business experience in the past 60 months, as an owner or senior manager.
- Create two full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the proposed company if located inside the GTA. Business located outside the GTA, or in either ICT or digital communications, must create one full-time job.
- Make exploratory visit to Ontario in the 12 months prior to application. Note: This only applies to those buying an existing business.
- Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.
- Physically reside in Ontario for at least 75% of the time you are managing the business.
