Federal Entrepreneur Program

*This program was terminated and it is unlikely the program will be reopened in the future.

Eligible applicants and their immediate families will be granted Canadian permanent residence for managing and establishing or acquiring at least 33.33% of equity within an eligible Canadian business that creates a minimum of one new job within the economy.

Federal Startup Visa

Business entrepreneurs can grow their companies in Canada with the funding and expertise from approved Canadian private sector organizations, and receive a Canadian Startup Visa in return for growing the economy and creating employment opportunities for citizens and residents alike. Unlike Immigrant Investor programs, or the Federal Entrepreneur program, applicants are not required to invest any of their own capital to meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Instead, they must receive a minimum venture capital or angel investment from one or multiple designated organizations.

Read more about Canada’s start-up visa here. 

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

If you are an experienced business person or manager with an intermediate knowledge of the French language, you may be eligible to obtain a Business Entrepreneur Visa by creating or acquiring a business in the province of  Quebec. The Quebec Entrepreneur Program has two streams available for foreign entrepreneurs.

Provincial Nominee Programs for Entrepreneurs

Certain provinces operate can nominate applicants through their own entrepreneur stream of the Provincial Nominee Program. If you are interested in settling and managing a business within a particular province, you may be nominated for Permanent Residence, provided you meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the province.