OINP Entrepreneur Stream
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is for entrepreneurs from outside Canada looking to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario.
Entrepreneur Stream at a glance for OINP
The Entrepreneur Stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and its regulations. For an application to be approved the applicant must follow the process and meet the criteria established under the regulations.
This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario.
It gives an entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario.
Once nominated, by the province of Ontario the next step is to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They make the final decision on who becomes a permanent resident.
The Entrepreneur Stream application is a two-stage process. An overview of the process follows.
Stage 1 of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Stage 2 of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
Before you register an expression of interest
Mandatory minimum requirements at Stage 1
To qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program as a permanent resident under the Entrepreneur Stream, entrepreneurs must demonstrate that they will have a viable business that is likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of Ontario as a whole or to the local Ontario economy where the business will be located. The entrepreneur and one foreign national business partner (if applicable) must both meet the eligibility requirements.
Supporting documentation to demonstrate that eligibility requirements are met must be provided. This includes providing proof of the qualifications claimed when the expression of interest was registered.
An application must be submitted within 90 days of receiving an invitation.
Please note that below is a summary of the minimum mandatory requirements invitations to apply are rarely issued when minimum requirements in ALL categories are not exceeded.
Business experience
Net worth
Minimum Investment in a business
Active involvement
Capital investment purpose
Minimum Job creation
Additional minimum requirements if purchasing an existing business
General business requirements for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, listed above, you must also meet the general business requirements listed below.
Business purpose
Permanent business
Ineligible types of business
If the business will be in the Greater Toronto Area, the following types are also ineligible:
Mandatory minimum requirements at Stage 2
In order to qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program an entrepreneur must meet the requirements below: