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Business Immigration

Ontario

Pending

Minimum requirements

Entrepreneur

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

Business management experience
2 years of work experience as a business owner or senior business manager within the last 5 years
Net worth
$400,000 (outside GTA or in IT industry)
$800,000 (inside GTA)
Investment
$200,000 (outside GTA or in IT industry)
$600,000 (inside GTA)
Active operation
Actively and directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business
Ownership
Purchase, establish or invest in a business in the province with a 33.33% ownership, may partner with 1 applicant
Job creation
1 - 2 full-time jobs (not including family members) depends on the investment industry and region
Exploratory Visit
Visit the province within 12 months prior to submission of EOI, if purchasing a business
Language
CLB 4 after implementing the business plan and waiting for nomination decision
Residential area
Physically live in Ontario for 3/4 of the time while operating the business

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

Exploratory Visit
Stage 1

Have an exploratory visit to the province to research and explore investment opportunities 12 months prior to submission.Mandatory if purchasing a business

Profile submission
Stage 2

Create an expression of interest profile on OINP e-Filing Portal when eligible. The profile is 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 and partner (if any) attend an interview (online) to discuss the business plan, work experience and other relevant matters.

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.Arrive in Ontario within 12 months

Business establishment
Stage 7

After arrival, implement the business plan and send a progress report every 6 months and the final report after 18 - 20 months.20 months 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

If a work permit is due to expire within 30 days, the province may issue a letter of support for the work permit extension.
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
Letter from employer
Occupation in Canada
Job creation
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
Management and ownership experience
0%
Work experience
0%
Education
0%
Language
0%
Investment value
0%
Total assets
0%
Exploratory Visit
0%
Business Plan
0%
Investment region
0%
Job creation
0%

* 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

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • Automated car wash business or laundromats
  • Holding company
  • Pawnbrokers
  • Pay day loan and related businesses
  • Scrap metal or tire recycling
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
  • Businesses that have been previously owned or operated by a current or former OINP nominee applicant

If located inside Greater Toronto Area (including City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York or Peel)

  • Operating franchises in Ontario
  • Gas stations
  • Bed and Breakfasts

Basic requirements

  • Net worth after debt deduction of at least $800,000 CAD if located inside GTA area, or $400,000 if elsewhere or in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or Digital Communications industry, assessed by an OINP-approved designated agency (KPMG LLP, MNP LLP or Deloitte Forensic Inc.)
  • At least 24 months of full-time work experience within the last 60 months as a business owner or senior business manager
  • Intend to live permanently in Ontario

Language

Minimum CLB 4 at the time of nomination, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Investment requirements

  • At least $600,000 if located inside GTA, or $200,000 if elsewhere or in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or Digital Communications industry
  • Hold a 33.33% ownership
  • Only consider business expenses for establishment and operation, not include cash or equivalents, working capitals, wage payments made to applicant and family members
  • Applicant may partner with another OINP business stream applicant, Canadian or Permanent Resident

Purchasing the business

  • Must visit the province within 12 months prior to submission of an expression of interest
  • The business must be operated by the same owner in Ontario for 5 years, not in bankruptcy, has been never owned by an OINP business stream nominee
  • The business ownership must be completely transferred to the applicant and applicant-partner (if any)
  • Keep the same employment terms and working conditions for current employees, and create 1 - 2 positions as required
  • Have a plan to expand or improve the business with at least 10% of personal investment

Business requirements

  • Have active and ongoing involvement in the day-to-day management of the business in Ontario
  • Create 2 full-time positions for Canadian or Permanent Resident if located inside GTA or 1 position if elsewhere, not including the applicant and family members for each primary applicant in case of sharing ownership
  • Generating profits by selling products or providing services instead of passive investment
  • Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
  • Operate on a permanent basis, not project-based or seasonal
  • Maintain a place of business in Ontario at all time
  • Physically live in Ontario for 3/4 of the time while implementing the business
  • Meet all commitments as agreed in Business Performance Agreement