Canada Business Immigration: The Ultimate Guide for Expats

Canada provides various business immigration pathways, such as the Startup Visa, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and the Self-Employed Person Program. Wealthy foreigners can buy a business and move to Canada even if it’s not a formal program. These economic incentives can provide permanent residence for entrepreneurs or self-employed people.

“The policy system is flexible and fair. But it is fundamentally different from the experience in many European countries”, explains Jelena Sivcev, Strategy and Business Developer at Global Citizen Solutions. The Canadian federal government creates broad immigration policies, while provinces and territories customize their programs based on the current market needs.

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.

Keep reading to find out more about:

• What is business immigration to Canada?
• How to migrate to Canada as a business owner?
• What are the requirements for the Canada business immigration program?
• How much money is required for business immigration to Canada?

What is business immigration to Canada?

Canada business immigration are types of economic incentives that include various options to attract high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners. They include the Start-up Visa Program (SUV), Self-Employed Persons Program, Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), PNP Entrepreneurs Streams, and “Buy a Business and Move to Canada”.

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.

These business immigration programs can provide foreigners and their eligible family members to obtain a permanent resident status by starting a business or buying a business in Canada, providing jobs for Canadian workers, and boosting the local economy.

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

The Federal Government’s Owner-Operator Program, allows business immigrants to invest in a business in Canada even if they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This includes:

• Opening a start-up company
• Buying an existing business
• Buying a franchise
• Buying shares in an established business

Buying a business in Canada for immigration requires you to spend anywhere between $150,000 and $500,000 or more. The minimum investment depends on the type of business and Canada’s provinces.

The “Buy a Business and Move to Canada” is not a formal government program, but it enables immigrant investors to get a valid work permit. These strategic projects are designed for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business experts who can create a company that can compete on a global scale.

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. Meanwhile, a Canadian manager can provide adequate leadership until you gain Canadian permanent residence. An immigration agency like Global Citizens Solutions can simplify the process and make Canada your home.

The table below offers a general guideline of the minimum investment associated with opening or buying a business in Canada.

How to migrate to Canada as a business owner?

As a business owner, you can move to Canada on a valid work permit or a permanent residence program. To do that, you need to show the government that your venture can benefit the local economy, hire Canadian workers, and you can actively manage your qualifying business. But the specific requirements vary for each economic incentive based on your immigrant status.

Here is how each status can affect foreigners:

Temporary work permit

You can get a temporary work permit, which is a short-term legal status, in three ways:

Owner-Operator LMIA: You can get a work permit by buying or opening a business in Canada. You apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that your company can create and keep jobs for Canadian workers and that you are a key part of that business. To qualify, you must own at least 50 percent of the business.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT): If you work for or own a multinational company outside of Canada, this program lets you get a work permit by bypassing the LMIA. You can use it to transfer to a Canadian branch, affiliate, or subsidiary as a senior manager, executive, or specialized knowledge worker.

Start-up Visa work permit: If you are waiting for authorities to process your permanent resident status on the Start-up Visa (SUV program), and you want to start working in Canada, you can get a temporary work permit, which lasts for up to three years.

Permanent residence programs

Experienced business owners can become permanent residents through business immigration programs like the Start-up Visa (SUV program), Express Entry, Provincial Entrepreneur Programs (PNPs), and Quebec Self-Employed Category. To do that, you need to show the government that your venture can provide an economic benefit and that you can manage your qualifying business.

Start-up Visa (SUV program): Entrepreneurs with a startup or startup concept can use their business plan to gain backing from a Canadian investor or incubator and receive permanent residency through the SUV, which some people like to call the Canada Investment Visa. And if your business fails, you don’t need to worry about losing your PR.

Express Entry: Foreign nationals with executive work experience, like owners of a successful tech startup, workers with senior management experience, and executives, are high-value candidates for a business PR through the Express Entry system.

Provincial Entrepreneur Programs (PNPs): Streams are available in specific provinces to foreign nationals and self-employed individuals who can invest money in a local business, hire Canadian workers, and actively manage it. You often get a work permit first and then a permanent residence.

Quebec Self-Employed Category: If you have experience in business and want to establish yourself in the province of Quebec, with a start-up deposit of $25,000 to $50,000 and a $100,000 net worth, you can apply for permanent residence there.

What are the requirements for the Canada business immigration program?

Business immigration in Canada are economic incentives for wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals that can lead to permanent residency and, subsequently, citizenship. Such economic incentives require investment in and experience managing a Canadian business. 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 invest in Canada 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. This program allows foreign nationals to establish an innovative start-up in Canada and apply for permanent residence or a temporary work permit.

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.

Source:  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

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 Immigration streams (general), 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 full-time 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?

Canada business immigration has 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 or $75,000 from angel investor groups 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. Regional Entrepreneur Streams (e.g., BC’s Regional stream) may have lower thresholds to attract investment to smaller communities.

Foreign business owners first gain a temporary work permit, which allows them to work on their business venture. They can spend $150,000 to $500,000 or more. After a business owner meets specific criteria, they can apply for Canadian permanent residency.

The Quebec self-employed category has its own investment criteria, often requiring a startup deposit of $25,000 in areas outside Montreal to $50,000 or more if you plan to set up a business inside the city. You also need at least $100,000 in net worth for a business PR.

More Information About Provincial Immigration Programs (PNPs)

Provincial immigration programs target economic immigrants in each province for Canadan business immigration. The provinces choose applicants who bring economic benefit to a new or existing business. These PNPs can include:

• Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) – This is the only passive investment program with a minimum net worth of CAD $2,000,000. High-net-worth investors can invest through the Quebec program, which can lead to a work permit. After a year, foreigners can apply for permanent residency.
• 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.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Canada Business Immigration

What are the options for business immigrants in Canada?

There are plenty of business immigration programs for immigrants, such as the Start-up Visa, Self-Employed Persons Programs, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), and valid work permits. Each has its own eligibility criteria to support your immigration journey.

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 and be actively involved in the Canadian business. They must also have language abilities in French or English, and have a minimum of three years of managerial or business ownership experience.

What types of businesses qualify for Canada business immigration?

Business immigration programs in Canada welcome innovative, scalable start-ups (Start-up Visa) and skilled experts on a self-employed visa. Most programs target entrepreneurs and investors with business experience who can establish or buy a business to create jobs for Canadian citizens and boost the local economy.

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 and on the official website for the Startup Visa.

What are the benefits of Canadian business immigration programs?

Business immigration programs in Canada provide a range of benefits for foreign entrepreneurs, such as:

• Permanent residence status
• Stable Canadian economy
• High quality of life
• Social benefits
• Quality education
• Investment incentives

Is it worth immigrating to Canada?

Absolutely. There are many benefits to immigrating to Canada through business immigration programs, such as a stable Canadian economy, many job opportunities, and a high quality of life. Based on the GCS Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report, Canada ranks number one in quality of life and number 10 in investment potential.

Can I immigrate to Canada as a self-employed business owner?

Yes, the Self-Employed Persons Program would be the main route, but Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada paused it until 2027. Meanwhile, you can apply through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – Entrepreneur Streams and Start-up Visa Program.

Can I get PR by investing in a business in Canada?

Yes, it’s possible to get permanent residency (PR) in Canada through business via 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.

Do I need a business plan for Canada business immigration?

Yes, almost every eligible new business needs a comprehensive business plan that aligns with the company’s interests. Canada remains a top destination for foreign investors, but business immigration policies have high standards and require immigrants to provide economic benefits, like job creation for Canadian citizens.

Do I need an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for business immigration?

Yes, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is the only document that can prove your academic qualifications. You need it to verify that your diploma, degree, or certificate is valid or equal to a Canadian one.

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. If you live in Canada for at least three years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship. Based on the Canadian passport power ranking, this passport is one of the most powerful travel documents.