Canada does not have an official citizenship-by-investment program. As an investor seeking Canadian citizenship, you must first obtain permanent residency via qualifying pathways, such as business immigration programs, and then apply for citizenship after 3 years of continuous residence in the country.
This article will explore the various available Canadian business immigration programs, their investment requirements, the benefits that attract entrepreneurs, and other routes to Canadian citizenship.
Canada Citizenship by Investment – Key Takeaways
Only applicants who received a valid commitment certificate from a designated organization in 2025 may still apply for permanent residence, with a final submission deadline of 30 June 2026. New SUV work permit applications are no longer accepted, though current permit holders may apply for extensions while awaiting permanent residence decisions.
IRCC has confirmed that a new, more selective entrepreneur pilot program will launch in 2026, featuring lower intake caps and stricter eligibility requirements.
Benefits of Canadian Citizenship by Investment
There are plenty of benefits that come with being a Canadian citizen. These include:
- Global travel – As a citizen, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. A Canadian passport gives you access to 182 visa-free countries , ETA or visa-on-arrival, which is excellent for travel or business.
- World-class healthcare – The Canadian government provides extensive healthcare coverage for citizens and permanent residents.
- Robust social welfare system – Citizens have access to pension plans, employment insurance, housing, dental, and other social programs.
- Excellent education system – According to our Global Education Report, Canada is among the top five best countries for higher education. Citizens have access to renowned schools for themselves and their family members.
- Dual citizenship – Citizens can hold more than one citizenship without renouncing their previous nationality. Dual citizenship Canada increases mobility, job security, and economic opportunity.
Does Canada have a citizenship by investment program?
No. Canada does not have an official citizenship-by-investment program. The country ended its Federal Immigrant Investor Program in 2014. Today, foreign nationals must first obtain permanent resident status through a qualifying pathway, such as provincial streams or alternative active entrepreneur programs, to live and work in Canada indefinitely.
Permanent residents qualify for citizenship after being physically present in Canada for 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5-year period before applying for citizenship.
Citizenship makes you a legal citizen who can hold a Canadian passport, vote, and run for public office. Based on our Global Passport Index, Canada ranks 14th with high investment potential, quality of life, and standard of living.
Facts about buying Canadian citizenship
True
- You first receive permanent residence.
- You choose a business immigration program.
- Obtaining Canadian citizenship is a long-term commitment.
False
- You can buy Canadian citizenship.
- All you need is a one-time payment.
- There are no other requirements for a Canadian passport.
What Actually Exists: Canada’s Investment-Linked Immigration Routes
Although Canada doesn’t provide a direct path to “citizenship by investment”, the country offers different business immigration programs for those who want to invest in Canada. These pathways offer permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
The main pathways for residence-first Citizenship by investment pathways in Canada are the Start-up Visa program (closed to new applicants) and the Quebec citizenship program.
Start-up Visa program
The Canada Start-up Visa program is a business immigration program that enables innovative entrepreneurs to become permanent residents by opening and running a new business. Successful applicants can bring significant economic benefits to Canadian society.
The Canada Startup Visa requires you to:
- Provide a detailed business plan as a potential business owner to benefit the country’s economy.
- Run and manage your new business in Canada with a work permit.
- Receive permanent resident status in one to two years of operating your Canadian business.
- Meet the requirements for obtaining Canadian citizenship.
The Canada Start-up Visa requires a minimum investment from one of the designated organizations. Foreign entrepreneurs must receive at least $200,000 from venture capital funds or $75,000 from a Canadian angel investor group.
Canadian business incubators don’t require a capital investment; only that innovative entrepreneurs are accepted into the business incubator program. For this immigration process, you need business management skills, a comprehensive business plan, and sufficient settlement funds.
The Canada Start-up Visa program is an excellent opportunity for medium and high-net-worth foreign entrepreneurs who want to become business owners and immigrate with family members and gain Canada citizenship.
To receive Canadian citizenship, most applicants must first gain permanent residency. This often begins with a work permit, allowing individuals to live and work in Canada. After renewing a work permit and meeting residency requirements, permanent residency can be granted. While there’s no direct Canadian citizenship by investment, some investment programs, like the SUV program, can pave the way to obtaining Canadian citizenship.
Note: The Canada Start-up Visa program is closed to new applicants effective 1 January 2026, with a narrow exception for 2025 commitment-certificate holders who must apply for PR by 30 June 2026. A new entrepreneur pilot is in the works for 2026.
PROS
- Access to successful economy
- Great start-up business landscape
- Access to funding
FALSE
- Competitive immigration process
- Strict eligibility criteria
- Risk of business failure
Quebec immigration program
The Quebec citizenship program has two classes of business immigrants: entrepreneurs and investors. These programs have different eligibility criteria but require immigrants to invest and settle in Quebec.
The business immigration programs include:
- Quebec Entrepreneur Program – This immigration process can attract entrepreneurs to open a Canadian business in Quebec. The program requires a minimum net worth of $300,000 and a business venture that provides significant economic benefits.
- Quebec Immigrant Investor Program – This is the only passive investment program for high-net-worth investors. It requires a net worth of CAD 2,000,000 ( USD 1,425,770.80), a CAD $1,000,000 (USD 712,885.40) five-year risk-free investment, and a CAD $200,000 (USD 142,577.08) non-refundable contribution, and to meet the physical presence requirement in Quebec province. As of 2024, French language proficiency at NCLC/CEFR level 7 (B2) is now required. Candidates must also show a minimum of 2 years of management experience in the 5 years preceding the application.
Successful applicants with French language proficiency can receive Canadian permanent residency and sponsor family members to settle there and later apply for Canadian citizenship.
PROS
- Easy access to Quebec province
- Valuable networking potential
- Fewer competition
FALSE
- High French language proficiency
- Limits immigration only to Quebec province
- High net worth expectations
Other Business Immigration Programs: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
There are many Canadian business immigration programs across various provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Provincial investor immigration programs have their own requirements, language proficiency, and eligibility criteria.
Foreign entrepreneurs, workers, and investors can use them to obtain Canadian permanent residency and promote the country’s economy. Here is a quick look at some of them.
Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream
Foreign entrepreneurs with adequate management experience can create a pathway for acquiring Canadian citizenship. First, they must start a new or buy an existing Canadian business in a rural Alberta community, which can help them immigrate to the province and receive permanent residence. This investment program can benefit the country’s economy.
Successful applicants must have a:
- Minimum net worth of CAD 300,000 (USD 213,865.62)
- Minimum investment amount of CAD 100,000 (USD 71,288.54) from their own equity.
- Minimum ownership of 51% for a new business. Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents OR 100% ownership for business succession
- New businesses must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (not including relatives).
British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream
The province of BC aims to attract foreign entrepreneurs who want to buy or start a Canadian business in high-growth, urban locations. This immigration process is the first step to obtaining Canadian residence for those who can boost the Canadian economy.
Successful applicants must have a:
- Minimum net worth of CAD 600,000 (USD 427,731.24).
- Minimum investment amount of CAD 200,000 (USD 142,577.08) in the business.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years
- The business owner must provide at least one full-time job to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Must meet the minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark level 4
The business owner must provide at least one full-time job to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
This business immigration program attracts foreign entrepreneurs to start or buy an existing Canadian business. It can help the business owner become a permanent resident and provide employment, boosting the Canadian economy.
Successful applicants must have the following investment requirements:
- Minimum net worth of CAD $600,000 (USD 427,731.24)
- Be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD (USD 106,932.81) of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia ($100,000 CAD) if your business is outside HRM)
- at least 3 years of experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years of experience in a senior business management role
Canadian Citizenship by Investment at a Glance
| Program | Financial Requirements | Time to Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Start-Up Visa Program | – CAD 200,000 minimum investment from venture capital funds – CAD 75,000 from angel investor group – no investment requirement from business incubators | Three years after receiving Permament Residence you can apply for Canadian citizenship. |
| Quebec investor program | – net worth of CAD 2,000,000 ( USD 1,425,770.80) – minimum investment of CAD $1,000,000 (USD 712,885.40) | same as above |
| Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream | – net worth of CAD 300,000 (USD 213,865.62) – Minimum investment amount of CAD 100,000 (USD 71,288.54) | same as above |
| British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration | – net worth of CAD 600,000 (USD 427,731.24). – CAD 200,000 (USD 142,577.08) minimum investment | same as above |
| Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream | – net worth of CAD 600,000 (USD 427,731.24) – CAD150,000 (USD 106,932.81) minimum investment | same as above |
Other Ways to Acquire Canadian Citizenship
People can obtain citizenship in Canada through three main pathways. These include:
- Citizenship by birth: Individuals born in Canada to at least one Canadian parent become citizens.
- Citizenship by descent: Individuals born outside of Canada to at least one Canadian citizen can apply for Canadian citizenship by descent.
- Citizenship by naturalization: Foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and workers can apply for obtaining Canadian citizenship by first becoming a permanent resident. Canadian naturalization often starts with a work permit to enter Canada, after which applicants can meet the requirements for permanent residence.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory 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.
