Comparative Analysis On Entrepreneur Immigration Nomination Programs (EINP) Of Several Provinces In Canada.
Entrepreneur Immigration Nomination Programs (EINP) are offered by several provinces in Canada. All provinces and territories in Canada have their own version of the Entrepreneur Immigration Nomination Program (EINP) or a similar program to attract foreign entrepreneurs to their region. These programs are designed to encourage the establishment of new businesses and create jobs in Canada.
The eligibility criteria, application process, and program requirements may vary depending on the province or territory, but they all generally require the applicant to have a certain level of net worth and business experience, as well as a viable business plan that is relevant to the region’s economic priorities.
Here is a list of the provinces and territories in Canada that have an Entrepreneur Immigration Nomination Program or a similar program:
Alberta
| AAIP – Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for foreign graduates who wish to who want to launch start-up enterprises and innovative businesses in Alberta. | AAIP – Farm Stream: The AAIP-Farm Stream is for foreign entrepreneurs with the resources and experience to set up or purchase and operate a farm in Alberta. | AAIP – Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for foreign graduates who have studied at Alberta Universities and Colleges and wish to start or purchase a business in the province. | AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream: The Rural Entrepreneur Stream caters to foreign entrepreneurs and business people who wish to start or purchase a business in specific rural Alberta communities. This definition of “rural” refers to communities under 100,000. This entrepreneur program aims to stimulate the economy and create jobs in Alberta’s smaller communities. |
| Basic Requirement Minimum Investment: $100,000 CAD (Urban Center), $50,000 CAD (outside Calgary and Edmonton) Ownership: 34% or higher (Urban Center), 51% (outside Calgary and Edmonton) Experience: Min. 6 months as a business owner or manager. Education: Equivalent college or university degree obtained from outside Canada. Language Proficiency: CLB Level 5 or Above in English or French. | Basic Requirement Minimum Net-Worth: $500,000 CAD Minimum Investment: $500,000 CAD Farm Management Skills: Financial documents describing current farm business, farm-related experience training, and education. | Basic Requirement Ownership: 34% or greater with Canadian citizens or permanent residents as partners. Experience: Min. 3 years as a business owner, or 4 years in a senior management role. Education: Completed a program lasting 2 or more years at an Alberta College or University. A degree or diploma is mandatory. Language Proficiency: CLB7 or Above in English or French. | Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $300,000 CAD Minimum Investment: $200,000 CAD Ownership: 51% or greater Experience: Min. 3 years as a business owner, or 4 years in a senior management role. Education: Completed high school (ECA required) Language Proficiency: CLB4 or Above in English or French. |
British Columbia
| BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category: The BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category offers an immigration pathway for experienced business people and entrepreneurs who plan to start a new business or acquire ownership over an existing one in British Columbia. | BC PNP Regional Pilot Program: The BC PNP Regional Pilot Program is designed to address regional communities’ economic development needs and attract foreign investors to areas outside major population centers. Communities play an active role in selecting the best candidates for the Program. | BC PNP Strategic Projects: The BC PNP Strategic Projects Category is for foreign corporations who wish to expand their operations by setting up a branch office or a facility in British Columbia. This program will allow foreign corporations to relocate staff with crucial knowledge and expertise to the province of British Columbia and support their Canadian immigration. |
| Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD Minimum Investment: $200,000 CAD. Experience: 36 months of work experience in a business ownership role. Language Proficiency: CLB4 or Above in English or French Job Creation: one or more full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents. | Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $300,000 CAD. Minimum Investment: $100,000 CAD. Experience: 3+ years of work experience in a business ownership role/ 4 years of work experience in a senior management role. Language Proficiency: CLB4 or Above in English or French Job Creation: one or more full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents. | Basic Requirement Minimum Investment: An equity investment of $500,000 CAD or more. Job Creation: three or more jobs for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents for each foreign staff. (There are no minimum company size or revenue requirements to apply for the Strategic Projects program.) |
Manitoba
| MPNP Entrepreneur Pathway: The Entrepreneur Pathway is a popular option under MPNP Business Investor Stream. This program is suited for foreign entrepreneurs who want to set up and operate a business in the province. The province started this program to encourage foreign investments, grow the economy, and create new jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. |
| Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $500,000 CAD Ownership: 33.3% or greater. Experience: Min. 3 years in business ownership or senior management role. Language Proficiency: CLB5 or NCLC5 or higher (English or French) Education: Completed high school and possess a certificate. |
New Brunswick
| New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream: The New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream is for foreign entrepreneurs and senior managers who intend to set up, purchase, operate, and manage a business while living in this province. Prospective applicants must meet the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream’s entrepreneur category requirements before applying. | New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Steam: The New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream is for foreign students who have completed a program lasting two years or more at the province’s colleges or universities. Such candidates have already started or purchased a business and have been operating it in this province for over a year while possessing a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit. |
| Basic Requirement Age: 22-55 Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD (out of which $300,000 CAD must be liquid) Minimum Investment: $300,000 CAD (in Saskatoon or Regina), $200,000 CAD for businesses in other parts. Ownership: 33.3% or greater. Experience: Min. 3 years in business management or an entrepreneurial role. Education: Two-year college or university program equivalent to the Canadian standard (ECA required). Language Proficiency: CLB 5 or NCLC 5 (English or French). | Basic Requirement Age: 22-34 Ownership: 33.3% or greater. Minimum Business Revenue: Variable depending on the. of employees. Education: Completed a program lasting 2 or more years at New Brunswick College or University. Language Proficiency: CLB 5 or NCLC 7 in English or French. Job Creation: 1 or more (Mandatory) Work Permit: PGWP (Mandatory). |
Saskatchewan
| SINP – Entrepreneur Category: The Entrepreneur Category is for foreign entrepreneurs who plan to set up or purchase a business in Saskatchewan. The province introduced this category under the SINP Entrepreneur Stream because it benefits the economy and creates jobs for Saskatchewan residents. | SINP – International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: The SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur category is for international students who have graduated from a Saskatchewan College or University and intend to start, acquire, and operate a business in the province. | SINP – Farm Owner/Operator Category: The Farm Owner/Operator Category is for entrepreneurs with farm ownership and operation experience who want to acquire and run a farm in the province. Successful applicants and their families will receive permanent resident status if they thrive under this category of the SINP Entrepreneur Stream. |
| Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $500,000 CAD Minimum Investment: $300,000 CAD (in Saskatoon or Regina), $200,000 CAD for businesses in other parts. Ownership: 33.3% or greater. Not required if you invest $1 million CAD or above. Experience: Min. 3 years in business management or an entrepreneurial role. Job Creation: 2 or more (Mandatory). | Basic Requirement Age: Graduates must be over the age of 21. Ownership: 33.3% or greater. Minimum Business Revenue: Variable depending on the. of employees. Experience: Min. 3 years as a business owner, or 4 years in a senior management role. Education: Completed a program lasting 2 or more years at a Saskatchewan College or University. Language Proficiency: CLB7 or Above in English or French. Work Permit: PGWP Mandatory. | Basic Requirement Minimum Net-Worth: $500,000 CAD Minimum Investment: $150,000 CAD Experience: 3 years of farm experience. Intent Grid Score: minimum 55 points Ownership: 33.3% or more. Not required if you invest $1 Million CAD or more. |
Northwest Territories
| NWT Nominee Program Business Stream: The territory’s government has introduced a particular immigration category known as “NWT Nominee Program Business Stream” for foreign individuals who want to start or purchase and operate a business in NWT. Candidates succeeding under this NWT Nominee Program Business Stream will receive a provincial nomination that they can use to apply for permanent residence via the Federal Government. The Business Stream aids Foreign Nationals who can start, buy, or invest in an existing business in NWT. The business is chosen primarily for its potential to benefit the Territory economically. It should create employment for Foreign nationals and other Canadians as well. |
| Basic Requirement Minimum Net Worth: $500,000 CAD or more if they intend to start or purchase their business in Yellowknife. $250,000 CAD if the candidate intends to start or purchase their business in an NWT city other than Yellowknife. Minimum Investment: $130,000 CAD in the business if it is located in Yellowknife. $150,000 CAD if the business is in an NWT city outside Yellowknife. Ownership: A minimum ownership share of 33.3% in the business they intend to start or purchase in NWT. Language Proficiency: CLB4 or Above. Experience: There are no specific work experience requirements for this program. However, applicants will need to mention their past business ownership experience to support their business plan. |
Nova Scotia
| NSNP Entrepreneur Stream: NSNP Entrepreneur Stream is designed for business owners or senior executives who desire to relocate to Nova Scotia. They must either start a new business or purchase an existing one, and they must be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the company. The entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status after a year of operation. The feed is only open to those who have been invited. Programs like these play a crucial role in bolstering the economy by promoting more business practices and creating employment for residents in Nova Scotia. | NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: International students who have graduated from the University of Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College and plan on acquiring and operating a business or starting and running a business in the province can apply through the NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. The IGE Stream of the NSNP is designed to attract emerging entrepreneurial talent to the province. Established entrepreneurs and senior business managers should apply for nomination through the NSNP Entrepreneur Stream. |
| Basic Requirement Age: 21 years and above. Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD. Minimum Investment: $150,000 CAD Experience: Three years of experience in owning and actively managing a business with one-third ownership, OR over five years of experience in a senior business management role. Language Proficiency: CLB5 or Above. | Basic Requirement Age: 21 years and above. Education: A post-secondary degree or diploma through a program at a university in Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Community College. Experience: A year’s continuous experience in actively managing and owning a business, with at least one-third of ownership of the business. Language Proficiency: CLB7 CLB5 or Above. Work Permit: PGWP (Mandatory). |
Newfoundland & Labrador
| Newfoundland International Entrepreneur Stream: The Newfoundland International Entrepreneur Stream category caters to foreign business owners or those with senior business managerial experience. Suitable candidates must intend to start or acquire a business in the province and participate in managing it on an ongoing basis. Entrepreneur candidates who operate their business successfully for one year will receive a nomination to apply for permanent residence. | Newfoundland International Graduate Entrepreneur stream: The Newfoundland International Graduate Entrepreneur stream offers an immigration pathway for international students that have completed a program lasting two years or more at the College of the North Atlantic or from Memorial University. Such candidates should have already started or purchased a business in the province and have been running it for over a year while possessing a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit. |
| Basic Requirement Age: between 21 and 59 years of age. Experience: minimum of two years of experience as business owner in the last five years. Minimum of five years of senior management experience in the last ten years. Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD. Minimum Investment: $200,000 CAD Language Proficiency: CLB5 or Above. Job Creation: one or more full-time positions for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents living in Newfoundland & Labrador. | Basic Requirement Age: between 21 and above. Experience: Candidates must have experience in owning and managing their business in the province for a minimum of one year. Education: A program lasting two years or more from the College of the North Atlantic or from Memorial University. Language Proficiency: CLB5 or Above. Job Creation: one or more full-time positions for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents living in Newfoundland & Labrador. |
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category:
Prince Edward Island’s Business Impact Category has a dedicated entrepreneur immigration pathway known as the Work Permit Stream.
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) Work Permit Stream is for individuals interested in owning and operating a business on the island. Approved business applicants obtain a temporary work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to establish their business and if the conditions of the Performance Agreement signed with the Government of Prince Edward Island are met, business applicants may apply for Canadian permanent residence. Basic Requirement
In order to be considered eligible under the Work Permit Stream, individuals must:
Net worth: $600,000 CAD acquired through legal and legitimate sources.
Education: Have at least a secondary education level, or equivalent.
Experience: Have transferable management skills and past employment or business ownership experience.
Age: Be within 21-59 years of age at the time of applying.
Language Proficiency: Meet the minimum language requirements equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.
(Provide active and ongoing management of the proposed business from within PEI.)
Ontario
| ONIP-ESI: The OINP Entrepreneur Stream is among the immigration programs offered under Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). This stream caters to foreign entrepreneurs and business people who want to start a new business or acquire an existing one in Ontario. Entrepreneurs who complete this successfully and follow the program’s terms and conditions can be nominated for permanent residence. The Ontario Government initially introduced this stream to encourage the province’s economic growth and create new jobs for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. |
| Basic Requirement Net Worth: minimum net worth of $800,000 CAD if their business will be in the GTA. This requirement is only $400,000 CAD for businesses outside the GTA. Investment: $600,000 CAD if the business is located inside the GTA. $200,000 CAD if the business is located outside the GTA. Job Creation: Create two or more full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if it is located inside the GTA. Create one or more full-time jobs if the business is outside the GTA. Work Experience: minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience gained in the past 60 months. This experience must be as a business owner or a senior business manager. Language Proficiency: CLB4 or Above. |
It is important to note that each province has its own specific requirements and processes for the EINP programs. In addition to the general eligibility criteria mentioned above, applicants may need to demonstrate other factors.
Furthermore, the number of spots available for each program can vary from year to year and may be subject to change. Therefore, it is important for potential applicants to regularly check the provincial immigration websites for the most up-to-date information on eligibility criteria and quota limits. Overall, the EINP programs in Canada offer a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to establish or expand their businesses in the country, contributing to the economic growth and development of the province.