Provincial Investor Immigration Program

Canadian PNP Business Immigration for Investors 2023

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Being invited by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) opens ample opportunities. Most PNPs have categories specifically for entrepreneurs or investors. Here is everything you need to know about the different Canada Provincial Investor Programs and how to get started.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows individuals to be nominated by a province based on a number of factors. Most PNPs have an entrepreneur or investor program within. Each province has instituted various net worth, investment, and business requirements, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply. The provinces each have their own selection criteria in order to best fulfill the immediate and long-term needs of their respective region. Following that nomination, qualified applicants can apply for permanent residency granted by the Canadian government.

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See below to learn more about the available PNP-specific programs for investors and entrepreneurs:

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1. Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (AINP)

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Self-Employed Farmer Stream

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Farming Skills 

You must be able to prove that you have farm management skills through:

• financial documentation of your existing farm business

• documentation proving your work experience, training and education

• a detailed business plan

• evidence showing that a Canadian financial institution will invest in your business plan

 

Requirements

• Invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD in a primary production farming business in the province

• You must provide a detailed business plan highlighting your investment plans. Business plans that are believed to have the best chance to grow Alberta’ agri-food targets’ will be considered first.

 

2. British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

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British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration

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Personal Requirements 

• have a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD

• show your business or management experience

• meet the legal requirements for immigration to Canada

 

Business Requirements

• start a new qualifying business or purchase and improve a business that already exists

• invest a minimum of $200,000 CAD in the business

• start a business that creates at least one full-time job for a permanent resident or citizen of Canada

 

Regional Pilot

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Requirements 

• You must start a new business and settle in a regional community with a population of fewer than 75,000 people

• You must complete an exploratory visit to the community

• You need to make a minimum investment of $100,000 CAD in a qualifying business

• You must have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 CAD

• You must own at least 51% of the company

• Your business must create at least one new job

 

3. Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)

 

Business Stream

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Requirements 

• You need to be at least 21 years old

• You must have the intention to live in the province permanently while actively managing and owning your business

• Your personal net worth must be $600,000 CAD minimum

• You need to be able to make a $150,000 CAD investment in your intended business

• You must have a minimum of three years of experience in managing and owning at least one-third of a business or you must have at least five years of experience in a senior management position

• You must have reached Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or higher in all four categories of the test in either French or English

• You need to complete your online Expression of Interest in the province

• You must receive an Invitation to Apply from Nova Scotia Immigration

 

International Graduate

 

Requirements

• You must have the intention to live in the province permanently while actively managing and owning your business

• You must have managed and owned 100% of a business in the province for a minimum of one year

• You must have completed a full-time tertiary degree or diploma of two years length at a recognized university or community college in Nova Scotia

• You must have reached Canadian Language Benchmark level 7 or higher in all four categories of the test in either French or English

• You need to have a valid post-graduation work permit

• You need to complete your online Expression of Interest in the province

• You must receive an Invitation to Apply from Nova Scotia Immigration

 

4. Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)

 

Corporate Stream

 

Business Applicant Requirements

• have been established at least three years before the application is submitted

• be of a qualifying structure (public corporation, sole proprietorship or partnership)

• invest at least $5 million CAD in expanding into Ontario or buy a business that already exists in the province

 

Job Creation Requirements

The business must create 5 full-time positions for permanent residents or citizens of Canada per key staff position. The positions must:

• be permanent, full-time positions

• be paid above or at the average wage level for the type of work

 

Business Requirements

• be clearly linked to the parent company as a subsidiary, branch or affiliate

• be a for-profit business through the sale of goods and services

• have a primary income source from active, earned income

• meet the legal standards and regulations of the area

• be considered as a permanent business in the province

 

Key Staff Requirements

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Your business may request a maximum of five key staff members to start the business and these staff members may be considered for Canadian permanent residence if they meet the requirements. The key staff must:

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• play an essential role in starting the business

• all be in a senior, executive, management or specialized knowledge position in your company

• have a minimum of three years of experience in the intended occupation in your company within the last five years.

• have been working in that position continuously for a year immediately before you submitted your application

• not have a family connection with anyone who has more than 10% equity in the company

• not hold any equity in your company unless it is less than 10% and part of the remuneration package of their employment contract.

• have full-time, permanent jobs that follow the wage standard of Ontario

 

Entreprenuer Stream

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Experience

• You must have 3 years of business experience within the last 5 years

• Your business experience must be as a senior manager or business owner with an active role in the 

           business

 

Net Worth

• in the Greater Toronto Area, you must have a net worth of at least $1,500,000 CAD

• anywhere else in Ontario, you must have a net worth of at least $800,000 CAD

• in the information and communications sector, you must have a net worth of at least $800,000 CAD

           regardless of it’s location

 

Investment Requirements

• in the Greater Toronto Area, you must control at least a third of the company and you need to invest a minimum of $1,000,000 CAD in it;

• anywhere else in Ontario, you must control at least a third of the company and you need to invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD in it; or

• the information and communications sector, you must control at least a third of the company and you need to invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD in it regardless of its location

 

Involvement

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You must be actively involved in the daily management of the business

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Business Requirements

• be a for-profit business that generates income through the sale of goods and services

• meet all the legal requirements of Canada and Ontario

• be a permanent business

• be located in the province at all times; and

• create a minimum of two permanent full-time jobs for permanent residents or citizens of Canada within its first 20 months and they must be paid according to wage standards of Ontario

 

Additional Requirements When Buying An Existing Business

• make a business visit to the province within a year of submitting your expression of interest

• buy a business that has been owned by the same owner(s) for the past five years

• ensure that the business is completely transferred to you or any other business partner

• use some of your personal investment in improving and expanding your business in the province

• continue to employ all the employees who worked in the business before you bought it

 

5. Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)

 

Entrepreneur Category

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Minimum Entry Criteria

• have a minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD

• have at least three years of business management or entrepreneurial experience gained within the past 10 years

• have the intention to invest at least $300,000 CAD if your business is located in Regina or Saskatoon. If it is located anyhwere else, you only need to make a $200,000 investment

 

Business Establishment Plan Requirements

• your plan to start a business in Saskatchewan

• your ownership of minimum one-third of the business unless you invest at least $1,000,000 CAD in the business

• your commitment to play an active and ongoing role in the daily management of the business

• the creation of two jobs for permanent residents or citizens of Canada in Saskatchewan if your new business is in Regina or Saskatoon

 

Farm Owner and Operator

 

Requirements

• You must have a personal net worth of $500,000 CAD or more

• You must sign a performance agreement showing your commitment to buying and actively operating a farm in Saskatchewan

• You must complete an exploratory visit to the province for at least five working days

• You need to be able to prove that you have farm operation knowledge and experience

• You need to have a proposal for a commercial farming opportunity

 

Farm Owner and Operator – Young Farmer Stream

 

Requirements

• You must have a personal net worth of $300,000 CAD or more

• You must be younger than 40

• You must have a minimum of three years of experience in farm ownership, farm management or practical farming experience

• You must submit a proposal for a commercial farming opportunity in Saskatchewan

• You or your spouse must be employable so that you can supplement your farming income

 

Why seeking professional help with Canada’s Provincial Investor Programs is Important

 

The Canada Provincial Investor Program is a great opportunity for foreign nationals to gain permanent residence in Canada. 

However since the criteria for this program differs  in every province or territory, an applicant cannot afford to 

make a single error. Consulting with a legal expert from Canada will help you understand what province might be the best option for your application bid, and what specific requirements are necessary.

 

 

 

To apply for any of the above programs :