Canada has several federal and provincial business programs, each with its own net worth, investment and experience rules. We match your business profile to a pathway that is open now and prepare a compliant application.
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Program availability changes often. This is the position we have confirmed against official sources; we re-check it in every assessment.
Base, Regional and Strategic Projects streams for entrepreneurs and companies investing in British Columbia.
Details → Accepting EOIsStart or buy a business in a participating rural Alberta community.
Details → Accepting EOIsStart or buy and actively manage a business in Nova Scotia, with lower thresholds outside Halifax.
Details → AvailableFor owners who will establish or run a business that brings significant benefit to Canada.
Details → AvailableMove executives, senior managers or specialized-knowledge staff to a related Canadian business.
Details → AvailableLMIA-exempt work permit for professionals whose work brings significant benefit to Canada.
Details →No new applications; existing files continue processing.
PausedIntake paused indefinitely by IRCC.
Check Quebec intakeQuebec controls intake, which has been closed for long periods. We confirm the current status before you plan.
Saskatchewan closed its Entrepreneur category permanently in March 2025; Ontario’s stream is closed.
Most provincial streams follow the same path: expression of interest, invitation, business performance agreement, a work permit to set up the business, then a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
| Stream | Personal net worth | Minimum investment | Business experience | Other key rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Base | CAD 600,000 | CAD 200,000 | 3 years as owner-manager in the last 10 | CLB 4; create at least 1 full-time job; new business or take over and grow an existing one |
| BC Regional | CAD 300,000 | CAD 100,000 | 3 years as owner-manager in the last 5 | CLB 4; community referral and exploratory visit required; 1 full-time job |
| BC Strategic Projects | – (company stream) | CAD 500,000 equity | Established foreign company | 3 new full-time jobs per key staff member, up to 5 key staff |
| Alberta Rural Entrepreneur | CAD 300,000 | CAD 100,000 | 3 years as owner/manager or 4 years as senior manager in the last 10 | CLB 4; community support letter; at least 51% ownership; 1 job (not for succession) |
| Nova Scotia Entrepreneur | CAD 600,000 (Halifax) / 400,000 (elsewhere) | CAD 150,000 / 100,000 | Experienced business owner or senior manager | Operate the business for 1 year before nomination; CAD 2,000 provincial fee since 1 Sept 2026 |
Sources: WelcomeBC, Alberta.ca and Live in Nova Scotia program pages, checked November 2026. Meeting the minimums does not guarantee an invitation; higher-scoring candidates are invited first.
Many entrepreneurs and executives start in Canada on a work permit and move to permanent residence later, through Express Entry or a provincial nomination.
For business owners who will create or maintain significant economic, social or cultural benefit, for example by creating jobs for Canadians.
For executives, senior managers and specialized-knowledge staff with at least one year of continuous full-time work in the last three years for a related foreign company.
For professionals and artists whose work in Canada brings a significant benefit, without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Business files are refused when the plan is generic, the funds can’t be traced or the program doesn’t fit. We address all three before you apply.
Net worth, source of funds, management experience, language results and family goals.
We compare the open provincial streams and work permit routes and recommend the best fit.
A market-researched plan with financial projections, staffing and milestones, plus forms and evidence.
Performance agreement, work permit and support while you establish and run the business.
Final report, provincial nomination and the permanent residence application for you and your family.
Business immigration combines commercial, regulatory and immigration criteria. Verify any representative on the CICC public register before you retain them.
Provincial entrepreneur streams such as BC Entrepreneur Immigration, Alberta’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream and the Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream are accepting candidates, as are business work permits such as C11 and intra-company transfers. The federal Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons programs are paused.
It depends on the stream. For example, BC’s Base stream requires CAD 600,000 net worth and a CAD 200,000 investment, while BC’s Regional stream and Alberta’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream require CAD 300,000 net worth and a CAD 100,000 investment.
Many provincial entrepreneur streams set a minimum of CLB 4 in English or French; BC and Alberta’s rural stream both use CLB 4. Higher scores can earn more points.
Generally yes. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can usually be included in the work permit stage and the permanent residence application.
It is a multi-year process. In BC, for example, entrepreneurs have up to 20 months after arriving to establish the business before they become eligible for nomination, and Alberta and Nova Scotia require you to operate the business before nomination. Federal processing comes on top.
Depending on the reasons, you may be able to strengthen the plan and reapply, choose a different stream, or challenge the decision. We review the refusal and the officer’s notes before recommending a route.
Tell us about your business, your net worth and your goals. We’ll recommend the open pathway that fits and explain the steps and costs clearly.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration programs, criteria, fees and processing change often. Eligibility and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and decisions by Canadian authorities, and no result can be guaranteed. Last reviewed: November 2026.
