Business Immigration - Provincial Nomination
All provinces have business programs catering to the province's economic development. These programs are mainly for entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals or professionals with management experience. Provinces also have a list of eligible businesses and additional requirements based on the location of the business.
General Program requirements - PNP Business
* Except for Programs for Farming and International students and Quebec
Business Proposal
This covers your business idea, business plan, feasibility study and financial plan. This is a starting point for your business immigration.
Exploratory visit
This includes your business visit to research and meets stakeholders of the industry and market you may be dealing with in the province and region.
Management experience
This is about your past experience running or managing a business. It also includes the level of expertise that will help you run the business in Canada. In most cases, it is min 3 years.
Expression of interest
Most provinces have an expression of interest system, and applicants have to show their interest by applying through an online form and give preliminary business details.
Point system
Most provinces have points scoring system to assess your business intent that you have shown expression of interest.
Interview
Most provinces have an interview after the preliminary assessment ,where officer would like to further know and verify about your business plan.
Net worth
Most provinces require you to have a minimum networth ($100,000 to $600,000) as per the program. You may have to provide your verifiable networth by the designated third parties.
Investment
Most provinces require you to have min funds available for investment which may vary from $100,000 to $600,000 depending on the provincial program.
Job creation
Almost all provinces require you to show the minimum jobs you will create for permanent residents and Canadian citizens. Most provinces have a range of 1-3 job creation as a requirement.
Eligible business
There are eligible business and preferred business/industry areas listed out by the provincial Govt based on provincial priorities
Work permit
All provinces support work permit applications so you can start your business. Provincial nomination is the next step after business is established.
Deposit
Many provinces require you to give initial deposit for the application.
Education
There are minimum education requirements and mostly it is completion of secondary school education.
Additional contributions
There are additional factors province may include to show additional requirements or benefits to the provinces and may change from time to time.
Equity
Most provinces require you to have majority stake or equity in the business that you plan to buy or setup in the province.
Performance assessment
Many provinces require a performance assessment of your established business to invite you for provincial nomination.
Community support
Many provinces require you to obtain a community support letter.
Language
There are minimum language score requirements of CLB, Canadian Language Bench Mark of 4-6 in most provinces which is basic English or French language skills
Comparative chart
Key financial requirements