Business immigration to Canada has changed a great deal since 2024. The two federal programs most people ask about, the Start-up Visa and the Self-Employed Persons Program, are not open to new applicants, and provincial entrepreneur streams open and close often. Law Wise, based in Mississauga, helps business owners and managers find out what is actually available before they commit money or time.
What is open and what is closed
This is the position shown on the websites of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on 10 October 2026:
- Start-up Visa Program: paused. IRCC’s page, last modified on 21 July 2026, shows the program as paused. The only route left was for entrepreneurs who held a valid 2025 commitment certificate and applied by 30 June 2026. The page says the program is closed to all other applications.
- Self-Employed Persons Program: paused. IRCC’s page, last modified on 11 March 2026, shows the program as paused. It has not taken new applications since 30 April 2024.
- Provincial entrepreneur streams: vary. Several provinces and territories run entrepreneur or farm streams inside their nominee programs. Ontario and Saskatchewan have closed theirs.
- Quebec: separate programs. Quebec runs its own programs for entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed workers, under its own rules.
IRCC has said it intends to create a new, more targeted start-up pilot. On 10 October 2026 we found no launch date on IRCC’s website.
Provincial entrepreneur programs
Under the Provincial Nominee Program, a province can nominate business people who will start or buy a business there. Each stream is different, but many follow this outline:
- Expression of interestYou describe your business plan, experience, net worth and intended investment, and the province ranks candidates.
- Invitation and applicationInvited candidates file a full application with a detailed business plan and proof of the source of their funds.
- Work permitApproved candidates usually sign a performance agreement and come to the province on a work permit to start or buy the business.
- NominationIf the commitments in the agreement are met, the province nominates the candidate, who then applies to IRCC for permanent residence.
Each stream sets its own minimum investment, net worth, business experience, ownership share, job creation and language requirements. Because streams open, pause and close often, the current rules must be read on the province’s own website on the day you rely on them.
Other routes for business people
A business program is not the only way for an owner or manager to come to Canada:
- Work permits. A manager or specialist of a foreign company may be able to come to Canada as an intra-company transferee to work at a Canadian branch, and citizens of some countries can use trade agreements. See work permits.
- Skilled worker programs. Managers and professionals with skilled work experience may qualify under Express Entry on their own merits.
- Business visits. Exploring a market, meeting clients or negotiating contracts can often be done as a business visitor. See visiting Canada.
Source of funds and honest disclosure
Business applications are examined closely. Officers ask where the money came from, whether the business is real and whether the applicant will actually run it. A person who misrepresents or withholds material facts can be found inadmissible to Canada for five years under section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27, as it read on 10 October 2026.
Setting up the business in Ontario
Immigration is only one part of a move. A new or purchased business also needs the right structure, contracts and registrations. Our corporate and commercial practice can incorporate the company, review a share or asset purchase and prepare the agreements, so the business and the immigration application tell the same story.
How Law Wise helps business immigrants
- checking which federal and provincial options are open on the day you ask
- comparing business routes with work permit and skilled worker routes
- reviewing the business plan and source-of-funds documents for the immigration application
- preparing the expression of interest, application and work permit
- incorporating or purchasing the business in Ontario
- preparing the permanent residence application after nomination
You are not required to use a representative, IRCC’s forms and guides are free, and no representative can promise an invitation or an approval. Your file is handled by a Law Wise lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Service is available in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi, and, if you retain the firm, fees are explained and confirmed in writing before work starts.
Common questions about business immigration
Is the Start-up Visa Program open?
No. IRCC’s page, last modified on 21 July 2026, shows the program as paused and closed to new applications. The last route, for holders of a 2025 commitment certificate, required an application by 30 June 2026.
Can I immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person?
Not through the federal Self-Employed Persons Program at present. IRCC shows it as paused, and it has not accepted new applications since 30 April 2024. Quebec has its own program for self-employed workers.
Does Canada have an investor visa?
There is no federal program that grants permanent residence in return for an investment alone. Provincial entrepreneur streams require you to run a business actively, and Quebec has its own investor program under separate rules.
How much do I need to invest under a provincial entrepreneur stream?
It depends on the stream and often on where in the province the business will be. Each province publishes its own minimum investment and net worth figures, and they change.
Can I buy an existing business to qualify?
Some provincial streams allow the purchase of an existing business and others require a new one. The stream’s rules on ownership share, jobs and active management decide whether a particular purchase qualifies.
Can I come first on a work permit and apply for permanent residence later?
Often that is how provincial entrepreneur streams work: a work permit first, then nomination once the business commitments are met. Other business people come as intra-company transferees and later qualify as skilled workers.
Speak with an immigration lawyer about business immigration
Your first consultation is free for 15 minutes, by appointment. Call us or send a message, and tell us about your business experience and the province you have in mind.
This page is general legal information, current as of 10 October 2026. Immigration programs and instructions change often, so confirm the current rules on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. This page is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. For advice about your situation, please speak with a lawyer.