Patricia Casaburi Canada business immigration programs are economic incentives that encourage entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capitalists to start a business or invest in Canada. Foreigners with sufficient capital can migrate and obtain permanent residency in Canada.
The Canadian federal government creates broad immigration policies, while provinces and territories customize their programs based on the current market needs. Canada has several business immigration programs with different requirements and investment criteria.
Many business immigrants feel overwhelmed when choosing the right business immigration program. But we are here to help. This article provides a detailed guideline on obtaining permanent resident status through investment immigration programs.
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Canada Business Immigration – Overview
Immigration programs are pathways for self-employed people, investors, and entrepreneurs to move to another country, obtain permanent resident status, and contribute to the local economy. Business immigration to Canada is designed to create jobs, boost local industries, and manage labor shortages across various industries.
The immigration process in Canada is divided into federal and provincial programs.
- Federal business immigration programs apply to all of Canada. They include programs like the Start-up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Program.
- Provincial immigration programs (PNPs) target specific territories to attract foreign business owners or entrepreneurs who want to live there. PNPs have their own streams and operate within a particular province.
Many immigration programs provide a temporary work permit, which you can use to showcase your skills and potential as a business owner. Successful applicants who promote employment, invest, or actively manage their businesses can apply for a permanent resident status (PR status).
Buy a Business and Move to Canada
Under the Federal Government’s Owner-Operator Program, entrepreneurs can buy or establish a business in Canada, enabling them to qualify for a temporary work visa.
The “Buy a Business and Move to Canada” is not a formal government program, but it enables immigrant investors to get a work visa. Buying business in Canada for immigration doesn’t automatically make you a permanent resident. However, it is the first step in the immigration process that allows investors to apply for permanent residence status after a year, and, in time, obtain Canadian citizenship.
What are the benefits of Canadian business immigration programs?
Canada’s business immigration programs provide a range of benefits for foreign entrepreneurs. Successful applicants can gain a permanent residence status.
If you then live in Canada for at least three years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship and access all the advantages that status offers. The advantages include:
- A stable economy: The Canadian economy is stable and well-regulated. The country has a strong banking system and transparent business practices, providing a secure environment for investments and running a business in Canada.
- A high quality of life: Canada consistently ranks highly in quality of life indexes, making it an attractive option for foreign nationals.
- Permanent residency: When you move to Canada as a business immigrant, you can obtain permanent residence status and eventually become a Canadian citizen.
- Visa-free travel and fast visa processing times for many countries and territories: As of 2025, Canadian citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to 185 nations and territories. Based on the Canadian passport power ranking, this passport ranks seventh in the world, making it one of the most powerful travel documents.
- Social benefits: Canadian citizenship offers healthcare coverage and retirement benefits.
- Access to elite education for immigrants’ children: The immigration process could provide family sponsorship. Students can choose between several world-class schools and universities across the country.
- Investment incentives: Some provinces and territories offer grants and tax breaks to business immigrants.
How does Canadian business immigration work?
Canadian business immigration works through several pathways designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed individuals who can provide an economic benefit. Depending on the stream, these programs can offer a temporary work permit or Canadian permanent residence.
Here is how each status can affect foreign nationals:
- Temporary work permit – A valid work permit (or Canadian work visa) is a short-term legal document. Skilled worker programs often provide a work permit after the applicant passes the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Permanent resident status – A permanent residency (PR) is a long-term legal status for foreign nationals. Permanent residents can live and work in Canada but are not Canadian citizens. To get permanent residency, applicants must pass a Canadian language benchmark and apply through different immigration programs.
Experienced business owners can become permanent residents through business immigration programs like the Canada Investment Visa (SUV program), Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These business opportunities are often reserved for foreign nationals with high personal net worth or senior management experience.
What are the requirements for the Canada business immigration program?
Canada provides various business immigration pathways for investors, entrepreneurs, senior executives, and self-employed individuals. These immigration pathways include the Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, and PNP Entrepreneurs Streams.
The Canada business immigration requirements vary based on whether you apply through a federal or provincial program. Immigrant entrepreneurs can use this opportunity to become Canadian permanent residents. Here is a list of the general requirements.
Start-Up Visa Program
The Canada Startup Visa, also known as the Canada Investor Visa, is one of the federal business immigration programs that promotes economic growth and creates employment opportunities. It offers permanent residence and work permits.
Entrepreneurs wishing to immigrate to Canada under the Startup Visa must:
- Establish a qualifying business.
- Receive backing from a designated organization for the business venture (e.g., venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator program) with a letter of support and a commitment certificate.
- Meet language requirements (level five English or French).
- Have sufficient personal net worth or settlement funds to support yourself, your business, and your dependent family members.
If your business fails, your permanent residence status will not be affected.
Self-Employed Persons Program
The Self-Employed program is a business immigration program that attracts skilled professionals in specific industries, like expert athletes and artists.
To apply, you must:
- Have relevant job experience.
- Prove you can be self-employed in Canada.
- Meet the language, experience, education, and age requirements.
- Have enough funds to support yourself.
PNP Entrepreneur Streams
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are skilled worker programs that attract foreign nationals with the education, skills, and work experience to immigrate to a particular province. Each Canadian province has its own skilled worker programs.
PNP Entrepreneur streams are provincial nominee programs for entrepreneur immigration. They encourage immigrant entrepreneurs with strategic projects to invest in new or existing Canadian businesses.
Provincial nominee programs provide significant economic benefit for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign entrepreneurs by boosting the local economy.
To apply for PNP Entrepreneur streams, you must:
- Have at least three years of senior leadership or business day-to-day management.
- Invest between $150,000 and $600,000 to buy an old venture or create a new one. The Canada business visa minimum investment varies by province.
- Verify your minimum net worth through financial audits.
- Create at least one to two jobs for Canadian employees.
- Present a detailed business plan that demonstrates your potential for success.
How much money is required for business immigration to Canada?
Business immigration options have different investment requirements. Federal immigration programs usually have a high initial investment but provide long-term benefits.
For example, foreign business owners must secure at least $200,000 from a designated venture capital fund for the Start-up Visa. But they should also own at least a third of the equity, and commit to managing and operating the business.
Self-employed immigration programs are usually more affordable. Self-employed persons can settle in Canada if they can contribute to the local economy and demonstrate they have the means to support themselves and their dependent family.
PNP Entrepreneur Streams usually require a minimum investment of $150,000 and a net worth of over $600,000. However, these requirements vary across provinces.
Foreign business owners first gain a temporary work permit, which allows them to work on their business venture. After a business owner meets specific criteria, they can apply for Canadian permanent residency.
More Information About Provincial Immigration Programs (PNPs)
Provincial immigration programs target economic immigrants in each province. The provinces choose applicants who bring economic benefit to a new or existing business. These PNPs can include:
- Quebec Immigrant Investor Program – This is the only passive investment program for business immigrants with high personal net worth. Applicants need a minimum net worth of CAD$ $2,000,000.
- British Columbia business immigration streams – British Columbia has three streams for business immigration. These include the entrepreneur immigration stream, regional pilot, and strategic projects. These streams attract established foreign companies and foreign entrepreneurs with experience in business ownership, a new business idea, or a better business concept to improve an existing business.
- Alberta farm stream – This program attracts foreigners with farm management skills or funds to invest in Alberta’s farming industry. Several Alberta post-secondary institutions offer agricultural programs that provide valuable experience.
- Yukon business nominee program – This program is designed for entrepreneurs who can own and operate a business in the province, which can grant them a path to permanent residency.
- Nova Scotia entrepreneur stream – The stream in Nova Scotia is for experienced business owners or senior managers who want to live in the province. They must start a new business or purchase an existing one and actively manage it.
- The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Business Impact Category – This program includes two streams for Canadian immigration. These are the 100 Percent Ownership Stream and the Work Permit Stream.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Business Immigration in Canada
Can I immigrate to Canada if I buy a business?
Yes, Canada’s Owner-Operator Program enables foreign entrepreneurs to buy or establish a business in the country. To be eligible, an applicant must have sufficient funds, be able to operate the business the business in Canada, have language abilities in French or English, and have a minimum of three years of managerial or business ownership experience.
Does Canada have an entrepreneur visa?
Yes, Canada’s federal government has an entrepreneur visa, also known as the Startup Visa program. There are also several entrepreneur visas that you can apply for through the nation’s provincial governments.
Is it worth immigrating to Canada?
There are many benefits to immigrating to Canada: The Canadian economy is stable, there are many job opportunities, and the country offers a high quality of life. Additionally, the nation’s business immigration programs provide pathways to a legal immigration status, permanent residency, and eventually citizenship, which enables access to a range of world class services and allows individuals to fully participate in the nation’s democratic process.
What is the difference between support from venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators?
If you seek support from a designated venture capital fund, you need to get an investment of at least CAD $200,000. For angel investor group, the minimum investment is CAD $75,000. If you want support from a business incubator, you do not need financial investment, but you will need to be admitted into a Canadian business incubator scheme.
How to get PR in Canada through business?
Getting permanent residency (PR) in Canada through business is possible through various pathways such as the Start-up Visa program, PNP entrepreneur streams, and the self-employed person program. Various government resources can help you set up a business to boost the local economy.
What is the typical timeline to get permanent residency of Canada through business immigration?
After getting your work permit, which typically takes between two and four months, permanent residence is likely to take an additional one to two years to obtain.
What is the business immigration assessment?
The business immigration assessment is a preliminary evaluation to determine if you’re a good candidate for immigrating to Canada through one of its business immigration programs. You usually take the business immigration assessment before you apply to determine which program suits you or your business.
What are Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?
PNPs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province.
