Canada Business Immigration Programs for Entrepreneurs
Canada Business Immigration Programs are dedicated pathways for entrepreneurs and businesspersons to settle in the country as Permanent Residents and boost its economy by creating jobs. Talent Connected Worldwide offers premium, safe, and legal immigration consultancy for experienced business persons and postgraduates who aim to establish or buy an existing business in the country.
Start-Up Visa – For Skilled Foreign Entrepreneurs
The Start-Up Visa targets foreign entrepreneurs who are skilled enough to establish a successful business anywhere in Canada except for Quebec. In order to apply, the entrepreneurs must present a start-up idea to an eligible designated organization and get their support. Additionally, they must have funds mandatory for the Start-Up program.
Eligibility Requirements
- You can apply for the Start-Up visa either by yourself or as a group of a maximum 5 owners.
- You must convince an approved designated organization to support and invest in your start-up.
- The designated organization must give you a letter of support.
- Each applicant must have 10% or more voting rights
- The main operation of your business must be in Canada
- You must actively manage the established business from inside Canada
- Score at least CLB/NCLC 5 in the Language proficiency test. IRCC accepts IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE tests for English proficiency. For French, TEF and TCF are the accepted tests.
- You must have at least $14,690 (CAD) as proof of funds to be eligible for a Start-Up Visa
How to get a Start-Up Visa?
The very first step towards getting a Canada Start-up Visa is to ensure that you meet all mandatory eligibility requirements. Once you are eligible, complete the following steps.
- Begin an online PR application through the Start-Up Visa program
- Upload your photo, and all the required documents and fill out all the forms
- Pay the application fee
- Submit the PR application through the Start-Up Visa program
- The application is reviewed for completeness
- Issue of Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
- The application is further examined by an IRCC officer
- Get the Police Clearance Certificate
- Pass the medical exam and biometrics
- The application is approved and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is issued.
- Upon arrival in Canada meet all the formalities at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and finally become a Permanent Resident.
Self-Employed Immigration Program
You can apply to get Canada PR as a Self-Employed individual if you have relevant mandatory experience in cultural activities or athletics.
Eligibility Criteria for Self-Employed Immigration Pathway
- Have 2 years experience as a self-employed person in the field of athletics or cultural activities, or have experience participating in world-class cultural or athletic activities.
- Score at least 35 points out of 100 in the selection criteria. The applicants are scored for age, language proficiency, education, adaptability, and experience.
- Have sufficient funds
- Clear Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
- Acquire a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
How to Apply as a Self-Employed Immigrant?
- Create an account in the IRCC Permanent Residence portal
- Upload all required documents and fill out all the forms
- Complete biometrics
- Pay the application fee
- Submit a complete application
- The application will be reviewed
- Upon approval, the IRCC will provide you with a COPR and PR visa.
Quebec Immigration for Investors, Entrepreneurs, or Self-employed Workers.
Quebec offers exclusive programs for Investors, Self-Employed Workers, and Entrepreneurs to settle in the province as permanent residents.
The Quebec Investor Program
To be eligible for the Quebec Investor Program you must:
- Sign an agreement with an eligible financial intermediary that will make financial investments on your behalf.
- Have at least 2 years of management experience within 5 years of application
- Possess a net worth of $2,000,000.
- Have completed a secondary school diploma before application submission
- Score NCLC 7 in French language proficiency tests- TCF or TEF
- Obtain attestation of learning about democratic values and Quebec values within 60 days of request
- Your financial intermediary must make a refundable five-year term investment of CDN$1,000,000. Additionally, they must also contribute CDN$200,000 to Investissement Québec – Immigrants Investisseurs Inc.
- Get a notice of intention to select that will help you get a work permit
- Stay in Quebec for at least one year.
How to get Canada PR through the Quebec Investor Program?
- Meet all the eligibility requirements
- Upload all documents
- Pay the non-refundable application fee
- Post the completed application for permanent selection in one envelope
- Attend the interview if required.
- Upon application approval, get the notice of intention to select from Quebec
- After you complete the mandatory one-year stay in Quebec, you will receive the Quebec Selection Certificate or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
- Apply for Canada PR within 24 months of getting a CSQ.
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program
There are three streams under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program:
- The Innovative Business stream: Through the Innovative Business stream, you can establish an innovative project or business in Quebec with the support of an eligible organization.
- The Business Start-Up Stream: You can get a CSQ if you have a start-up idea or already have an established business that you aim to move to Quebec.
- The Business Takeover stream: This Quebec Entrepreneur Program is for business persons who want to acquire a business in Quebec.
Apply for Canada PR once you meet all the requirements and get a Quebec Selection Certificate or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) through any one of the above Business Immigration Programs.
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program
You can apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate if you aim to settle in the province while working for yourself. To be eligible for this pathway you must:
- Work in Quebec in an eligible profession
- Have 2 years of work experience in your own name.
- Have, or be in the process of acquiring mandatory authorization or license to work if applicable.
- Possess a mandatory net worth of CDN$100,000.
- Complete a secondary school diploma
- Score NCLC 7
- Make a Start-Up deposit of CDN$25,000 if you are working outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community. If you are working inside the community, the mandatory start-up deposit is CDN$50,000
If you meet all the eligibility requirements, apply for Quebec permanent selection under the Self-Employed Worker program. You will get a Quebec Selection Certificate if your permanent selection application is approved. Apply for Canada after you successfully get the CSQ.
Provincial Nominee Programs for Entrepreneurs
Each Canadian province has programs for Entrepreneurs through which they nominate applicants to apply for Permanent Residence. All the Provincial Nominee Pathways for Entrepreneurs are listed below.
| Provincial Nominee Program | Business Streams |
| Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) | Rural Entrepreneur Stream – Apply for Provincial Nomination through this AAIP pathway if you aim to begin a business or buy an existing one in a rural community in Alberta. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: This stream nominates international students who have completed graduation from eligible Alberta institutions. You can apply as a foreign graduate if you intend to establish a new business or acquire an existing firm. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Students who have graduated from outside Canada and aim to settle in Alberta as entrepreneurs can apply through this pathway. Farm Stream: The AAIP Farm stream nominates experienced farmers who want to establish a farm in Alberta. |
| British Columbia PNP Entrepreneur Immigration (BC PNP EI) | Base Category: Experienced entrepreneurs who aim to actively run a business in British Columbia Regional Pilot: for entrepreneurs who aim to set up their business in smaller B.C. communities Strategic Project: Foreign corporations who want to establish a branch office or subsidiary in British Columbia. |
| Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) | The MPNP Business Investor Stream: This stream allows Manitoba to nominate eligible foreign investors and entrepreneurs who want to establish or buy existing firms in the province. There are two sub-categories under the MPNP Business Investor Stream. The Entrepreneur Pathway – for applicants intending to begin a business in Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) – for applicants who want to establish and run a business in rural Manitoba. |
| Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) | The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) offers two nomination pathways for entrepreneurs: NSNP Entrepreneur Stream: Experienced business owners and managers can settle in Nova Scotia through this program. NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur stream: You can get a nomination certificate if you are a graduate from an eligible institution in Nova Scotia, and have been operating a business in the province for a year. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) | The International Entrepreneur: this NLPNP stream assists experienced business owners in buying or starting a new business and actively managing it by settling in the province as permanent residents. International Graduate Entrepreneur: Graduates of Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic can apply for Canada PNP through this NLPNP pathway. They must already have begun or brought a local business and must aim to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador as Canadian permanent residents. |
| New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) | NB Business Immigration Stream: This economic immigration pathway helps experienced business people who want to establish, operate and actively manage a business in New Brunswick by becoming Canadian permanent residents. |
| Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) | The OINP Entrepreneur pathway is currently suspended and is currently not accepting applications |
| Prince Edward Island or PEI PNP | PEI PNP Work Permit Stream: Eligible and experienced applicants who aim to run or invest in a business in the province can apply through this stream. Buy or Sell a PEI Business: PEI PNP pathway to connect people who aim to buy or sell a PEI business. |
| Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) | Entrepreneurs: Eligible foreign nationals who want to buy a business in Saskatchewan or obtain its partnership, and actively manage it can apply under this SINP stream. International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: International graduates who have acquired their degrees from Saskatchewan and want to become entrepreneurs can apply through this stream Farm Owner and Operator Category: Experienced farmers or farm operators who aim to settle in Saskatchewan and buy and operate a farm in the province are eligible to apply for this SINP stream. |
Documents Required for Canada Business Immigration Program
Below is the list of documents required to apply for Permanent Residence through Canada Business Immigration Programs. All the documents must either be in English or French.
| Business Immigration Programs | Documents Required |
| Start-Up Visa | – Copy of a regular Passport – Proof of Language proficiency test – Letter of Support – Birth Certificate – Police Clearance Certificate – Two Photographs – Settlement Funds |
| Self Employed Program | – Proof of Education such as degrees, diplomas, and transcript – Language test results – Proof of Experience in cultural or athletic activities. – Passport – Police Clearance Certificate – Birth Certificate – Six photographs |
| Quebec Immigration | – CSQ or Quebec Selection Certificate – Language Proficiency test – Birth Certificate – PCC – Two Photographs |
| Provincial Nominee Programs | – Confirmation of Provincial Nomination – Identification documents – Language test results – Police Clearance Certificate – Two Photographs – Pay receipt |
Confused and stuck in Immigration paperwork? Let Talent Connected Worldwide help.
Fee List for Canada Business Immigration Programs
| Business Immigration Pathway | Fee |
| Start-Up Visa | $2,385 |
| Self-Employed Program | |
| The Quebec Investor Program | |
| The Quebec Entrepreneur Program | |
| Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program | |
| Fee for Business Provincial Nominee Programs | |
| Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream | $3,500 (AAIP application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
| AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | |
| AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | |
| Alberta Farm Stream | $500 (AAIP application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
| British Columbia PNP EI Base Category | $300 (Registration fee) $3,500 (BC PNP EI application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
| BC PNP Regional Pilot | |
| BC PNP EI Strategic Project | |
| Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway | $2,500 (MPNP Application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
| Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway | |
| Saskatchewan Entrepreneurs Program | $2,500 (SINP application fee) $1,525 |
| SINP International Graduate Entrepreneurs | $1,525 |
| Saskatchewan Farm Stream | $2,500 (SINP application fee) $75,000 (Good Faith Deposit) $1,525 (PR Application fee) |
| New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream | $2,000 (NB PNP application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
| Prince Edward Island PNP Work Permit Stream | $10,000 (PEI PNP application fee) $1,525 (PR fee) |
Processing time for Canada Business Immigration Programs
Getting a PR through Canada Business Immigration programs largely depends on the submitted application. A complete and updated application is processed faster and has fewer chances of rejection. The estimated processing time for PR applications through Business Immigration programs is tabulated below.
| Immigration Program | Estimated Processing time |
| Start-Up Visa | 37 months |
| Self-Employed Immigration | 52 months |
| Quebec Business Class | 57 months |
| PNP Business programs | 12 months |
Significance of Immigrants in Canadian Business Sector
Foreign entrepreneurs are a crucial part of the Canadian economy. Immigrant entrepreneurs and businesspersons ensure that the country’s economy continues to flourish and grow in the future.
Impact of immigration on Canadian businesses
- 1 in every 3 businesspersons in Canada is an immigrant.
- Canada has at least 33% immigrants as business owners who employ paid staff and generate significant jobs throughout various sectors.
- The country has more than 600,000 self-employed immigrants.
- Maximum immigrant business owners belong to the Truck transportation sector followed by grocery stores, computer systems design, and restaurants.
Talent Connected Worldwide for Entrepreneurs
Canada’s Business immigration programs are excellent options for visionary entrepreneurs and business persons who aim to invest and settle in the country. However, navigating through these programs can become time-consuming and exhausting. Our CICC-licensed experts offer complete immigration assistance exclusively crafted for entrepreneurs. From helping you procure financial documents, to dealing with all the bureaucratic complications, it is all on us.