Business Immigration
Newfoundland & Labrador
Popular business immigration programs for graduated international students and entrepreneurs in the province
Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest and actively manage a business in the province
Age
Business management experience
5 years of work experience in a senior business management role within the last 10 years
Net worth
Investment
Type of investment
Active operation
Job creation
Education
Language
Recently graduated students in NL want to start a business in the province
Age
Graduation
Work permit
Type of investment
Personal Income
Active operation
Job creation
Language
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process.Applicant must fulfill all terms set out in the Business Performance Agreement to be nominated for provincial nomination.
Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government
Business Operation
Purchase, establish or invest and actively manage the business with a 1/3 ownership on a post-graduation work permit.12 months in business operation
Profile submission
Create EOI profile with The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism when minimum requirements are met. The profile will be scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months
Provincial invitation
Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit application within 90 days
Interview
Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.
Decision of Nomination
After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months
Exploratory Visit
Visit the province for at least 4 business days to research, explore investment opportunities 12 months prior to applicationMandatory
Profile submission
Create EOI profile with The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism after visited and meets minimum requirements. The profile will be scored and ranked.Profile valid for 12 months
Provincial invitation
Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit the application within 180 days
Interview
Applicant and their partners (if any) will be invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss their business plan.
Investment decision
Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.
Work permit
The province provides a Letter of support for the applicant to complete their work permit application for business investment.Apply work permit within 12 months
Business establishment
After arrival in the province, start the business and meet with provincial officials within 30 days.1 year in business operation
Decision of Nomination
After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months
An invitation to apply does not guarantee the application will be approved or the applicant will be issued the Nomination Certificate or granted permanent resident status.
Crucial elements affect the decision
International Graduate Entrepreneur
International Entrepreneur
Adaptability generally includes but not limited to ties to the province (education, relatives in the province, work experience).
Economic priorities include investment sector and region.
Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Work and study
Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Important requirements the applicant should note
Immigration Ineligibility
- Are living in Canada illegally or in restoration of status
- Are under removal order
- Are inadmissible to Canada
- Are a passive investor (rarely or not involved in day-to-day operations of the business)
- Immigration-linked investment schemes as defined in S 87(9) of the Regulations
List of Ineligible Businesses
- Businesses that are managed remotely from other location outside of the province
- Property rental and leasing activities
- Real estate (construction / development / brokerage )
- Professional services or self-employed that require licensing or accreditation to practice
- Payday loan, currency exchange, cash machine businesses
- Pawnbrokers
- Taxi companies
- Home-based businesses
- Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
- Not-for-profit businesses
- Any businesses operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income
- Businesses that will compensate employees solely on commission
- Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of the Northwest Territories into disrepute
Basic requirements
- 21 years old or older
- Have completed a program of 2 years or more from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic within the last 2 years prior to the submission of application
- Have a valid post-graduation work permit
- Intend to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador to own and operate the business and bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- 1 year of active management with a 33.33% ownership
* Application in priority sectors will be prioritized
Language
Minimum CLB 7, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
Investment requirements
- Have the Business Establishment Plan and Net Worth assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Grant Thornton LLP, Deloitte, MNP LLP, KPMG LLP or BDO Canada LLP)
- If establishing a business, must create 1 job for Canadian or Permanent Resident (not including family members) with a position higher than the applicant and a comparable wage
- If sharing the business with other applicants, allow maximum of 3 partners with a 33.33% ownership for each applicant
Purchasing the business
- The business must have been operating by the same owner within the last 5 years
- Are traded at a fair market value
- Are in good financial health, not in bankrupt
- Keep the same working conditions for current employees
Business requirements
- Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits
- Have a 33.33% ownership and actively operate the business for at least 1 year prior to submission of application
- Receive salary from the business that meets or exceeds Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada
- Have sufficient profits to become economically established as defined in Audit Opinion and Special Purpose Report
- Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
- Operate as permanent establishment organization as defined under the Income Tax Act
Immigration Ineligibility
- Are living in Canada illegally or in restoration of status
- Are under removal order
- Are inadmissible to Canada
- Are a passive investor (rarely or not involved in day-to-day operations of the business)
- Immigration-linked investment schemes as defined in S 87(9) of the Regulations
List of Ineligible Businesses
- Businesses that are managed remotely from other location outside of the province
- Property rental and leasing activities
- Real estate (construction / development / brokerage )
- Professional services or self-employed that require licensing or accreditation to practice
- Payday loan, currency exchange, cash machine businesses
- Pawnbrokers
- Taxi companies
- Home-based businesses
- Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
- Not-for-profit businesses
- Any businesses operated primarily for the purposes of deriving passive investment income
- Businesses that will compensate employees solely on commission
- Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of the Northwest Territories into disrepute
Basic requirements
- 21 years old or older
- Education equivalent to Canadian high-school
- Have a valid post-graduation work permit
- Intend to live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador to own and operate the business and bring substantial economic benefits to the province
- Net worth after debt deduction is greater than $600,000 CAD
- At least 2 years of actively managing and owning a business with a 25% ownership within the last 5 years, or 5 years of work experience in a senior business management role within the last 10 years
* Application in priority sectors will be prioritized
Language
Minimum CLB 5, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
Investment requirements
- Have the Business Establishment Plan and Net Worth assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Grant Thornton LLP, Deloitte, MNP LLP, KPMG LLP or BDO Canada LLP)
- At least $200,000 with a 33.33% ownership unless the total investment is greater than $1,000,000
- If establishing a business, must create 1 job for Canadian or Permanent Resident (not including family members) with a position higher than the applicant and a comparable wage
- If sharing the business with other applicants, allow maximum of 9 partners with a 33.33% ownership for each applicant unless the total investment is greater than $1,000,000
Purchasing the business
- The business must have been operating by the same owner within the last 5 years
- Are traded at a fair market value
- Are in good financial health, not in bankrupt
- Keep the same working conditions for current employees
Business requirements
- Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits
- Have a 33.33% ownership and actively operate the business for at least 1 year prior to submission of application
- Receive salary from the business that meets or exceeds Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada
- Have sufficient profits to become economically established as defined in Audit Opinion and Special Purpose Report
- Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
- Operate as permanent establishment organization as defined under the Income Tax Act
