Business Immigration Ontario
Ontario is one of North America’s most dynamic places to do business. Entrepreneurs benefit from our strategic location, low taxes, competitive operating costs and a multicultural workforce that is well educated, highly skilled and productive.
If you are an entrepreneur ready to invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you may be eligible for the ON Provincial Nominee Program’s (PNP) Business Immigration stream. This stream accelerates the permanent residence application process for individuals who can establish themselves in ON. and develop a business that will provide significant economic benefits to the province. To qualify, you must meet specific personal net worth thresholds, make a minimum investment in an eligible business, be actively involved in the daily management of the business, and create one or more new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.
The Business Immigration application process has two phases:
In phase one, you sign a performance agreement and are initially supported for a two-year work permit.
In phase two, you arrive in ON. on the work permit, establish and actively manage your business, and complete the investment and job-creation requirements.
Applicants are nominated by the ON PNP for Permanent Residence in Canada only when they satisfy the terms of their performance agreement.
You can apply to the PNP as a business immigrant in one of three categories as described below. Each category has specific requirements.
The Entrepreneur category is the best choice if:
You would like to start or purchase and expand a business anywhere in ON.
You have a personal net worth of at least $800,000.
You intend to invest at least $400,000 in (and acquire at least one-third equity ownership of) the business.
You can commit to creating at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
You would like to propose one key staff member on your application.
The Regional Entrepreneur category is the best choice if:
You would like to start or purchase and expand a business outside of the Vancouver and Abbotsford metropolitan areas.
You have a personal net worth of at least $400,000.
You intend to invest at least $200,000 in (and acquire at least one-third equity ownership of) the business.
You can commit to creating at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The Strategic Projects category is the best choice if:
Your company is interested in setting up a ON-based operation (such as a branch office or subsidiary) anywhere in the province.
Your company intends to make an equity investment of at least $500,000 in the business.
You would like to propose up to five key staff members on the application and you can commit to create at least three new jobs for each key staff member.
The Regional Business Succession Option is a good choice if you intend to purchase and manage an existing ON. business. This option applies to all business immigration categories where the business is located outside of the GTA Toronto and out of the metropolitan areas. This category offers priority processing and includes reduced job creation requirements.
Farming Businesses Only
Applications proposing agricultural activities must include a feasibility assessment of the proposed business prepared by a consultant from the List of Eligible Consultants approved by the Ministry of Agriculture under its ON Farm Business Advisory Services Program.
Read more about the criteria required to apply under these categories.
You may wish to explore other options for immigrating to Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website to read about federal business immigration options.