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Business Immigration

Newfoundland & Labrador

Minimum requirements

Popular business immigration programs for graduated international students and entrepreneurs in the province

International Entrepreneur

Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest and actively manage a business in the province

Age
Between 21 - 59 years old
Business management experience
2 years 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
Net worth
$600,000 after debt deduction
Investment
$200,000 with a 33.33% ownership unless the total investment is greater than $1,000,000
Type of investment
Purchase or establish a business in the province, may partner with up to 9 applicants
Active operation
Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business for 1 year
Job creation
1 full-time position
Education
Equivalent to Canadian high-school
Language
CLB 5
Intl Graduate Entrepreneur

Recently graduated students in NL want to start a business in the province

Age
21 years old or older
Graduation
Have completed a program of 2 years or more from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic within the last 2 years
Work permit
Valid for at least 6 months
Type of investment
Purchase or establish a business in the province with a 33.33% ownership, may partner with up to 2 other applicants
Personal Income
Receive salary from the business that meets or exceeds Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
Active operation
Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business for 1 year
Job creation
1 full-time position
Language
CLB 7

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.

Application process

Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government

International Graduate Entrepreneur

Business Operation
Stage 1

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
Stage 2

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
Stage 3

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
Stage 4

Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.

Decision of Nomination
Stage 5

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
Stage 6

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

International Entrepreneur

Exploratory Visit
Stage 1

Visit the province for at least 4 business days to research, explore investment opportunities 12 months prior to applicationMandatory

Profile submission
Stage 2

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
Stage 3

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
Stage 4

Applicant and their partners (if any) will be invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss their business plan.

Investment decision
Stage 5

Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.

Work permit
Stage 6

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
Stage 7

After arrival in the province, start the business and meet with provincial officials within 30 days.1 year in business operation

Decision of Nomination
Stage 8

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
Stage 9

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.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Background elements
Settlement fund
Net worth
Age
Language
French
Canadian work experience
Education
Work experience
Management experience
Admissible
Residential area
Letter from employer
Occupation in Canada
Liquid asset
Field study in Canada
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Job offer
Investment value
Business proposal
Education in Canada
Investment region
Residential area
Exploratory Visit
Scoring factors

International Graduate Entrepreneur

Age
0%
Language
0%
Education
0%
Management experience
0%
Adaptability
0%
Economic priority
0%

International Entrepreneur

Age
0%
Language
0%
Education
0%
Management experience
0%
Adaptability
0%
Economic priority
0%

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.

Entitlement

Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children

Work and study
Work and study

Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program

Medical
Medical

Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian

Education
Education

Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education

Benefits
Benefits

Access to social benefits as same as Canadian

Mobility right
Mobility right

Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status

Sponsorship
Sponsorship

Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met

Naturalization
Naturalization

Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met

Specific requirements

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 5 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

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 5 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

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