CANADIAN BUSINESS IMMIGRATION
If you are a business person or a manager who wants to move to Canada, the Canadian federal and provincial governments offer several options for business immigration to Canada.
Depending on your experience and goals, there are several options for business immigration to Canada to choose from. Depending on where you plan to live, you may choose to apply to one of the provincial immigration programs, such as Quebec immigration programs, or to a federal government immigration program. Several programs have been paused or closed since 2024, so it is important to check what is open before you plan. Start exploring your options with a free assessment from Law Wise, and we will be happy to discuss your Business Class Immigration options to move to Canada with you.
Available Business Immigration to Canada programs:
Entrepreneur Immigration:
- Individuals with business management experience who maintain a certain net worth and plan to do business in Canada may be able to apply under a Business Immigration to Canada option. If you are looking to move to Canada as an entrepreneur, Quebec and several other provinces currently offer options; the federal programs are paused.
- The Start-Up Visa Program was designed to encourage entrepreneurs to immigrate and grow their companies in Canada with the support of designated private-sector organizations. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-Up Visa applications at the end of 2025 and has said it plans a new, more targeted Start-up Visa pilot; no launch date has been announced.
- The Quebec Business Immigration to Canada categories for Entrepreneurs are designed to provide the opportunity to qualified business owners and managers to obtain permanent residence in Canada, as long as they are able to create or acquire a commercial, industrial or agricultural business in the province of Quebec.
- Provincial Entrepreneur Programs: Several Canadian provinces and territories offer business categories within their Provincial Nominee Programs. Through one of these immigration programs, foreign entrepreneurs may settle in a particular province.
Canada Self Employed Immigration:
These programs allow self-employed people with relevant experience to apply for Canadian business immigration.
The federal Self-Employed Persons Program has been paused since April 30, 2024, and IRCC is not accepting new applications until further notice. Quebec continues to run its own Self-Employed Worker Program, and applications can be submitted at any time.
Start-Up Visas:
The Start-Up Visa program is closed to new applications. IRCC stopped accepting them at the end of 2025, and the only exception, for entrepreneurs holding a 2025 commitment certificate, ended on June 30, 2026. The information below describes how the program worked and is kept for people whose applications are already in process. The program offered permanent residence to foreign entrepreneurs whose start-up was supported by a designated Canadian organization, which provided funding, guidance and expertise.
Eligibility Requirements:
The purpose of the program was to recruit foreign entrepreneurs who would create new jobs and promote economic growth. To be eligible, Start-Up Visa applicants had to meet the following requirements:
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- Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities);
- Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada;
- Plan to settle in a province other than the Province of Quebec;
- Pass Canadian security and medical clearances;
- Prove your business is supported through a designated organization; and
- Show your business meets ownership requirements.
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No more than five foreign nationals could apply for permanent residence as part of the same business venture under the Start-Up Visa Program.
Investment Details:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) designated a number of venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubator organizations to participate in the Start-Up Visa program. Applicants were required to secure a minimum investment for their Canadian start-up.
If the investment came from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, it had to be at least $200,000. If it came from a designated angel investor group, it had to be at least $75,000. Applicants were not required to secure any investment from a business incubator, but they had to be accepted into a designated business incubator program.
Applicants did not have to invest any of their own money. If their start-up in Canada is not successful, people who have been granted permanent residence through this program retain their permanent resident status.
Evidence of Commitment:
To show that the applicant had the support of a business incubator, venture capital fund, or angel investor group, the designated organization submitted a completed Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC. This document summarized the relevant details of the commitment between the applicant and the organization.
In addition, the applicant received a Letter of Support from the designated organization, which had to be submitted with the application for permanent residence.
IRCC has said it intends to create a new, more targeted Start-up Visa pilot. As of October 2026, no launch date has been announced.
Business Provincial Nomination:
Depending on the province, a number of business immigration to Canada programs may be available to those who want to do business in that province. Many provinces have business immigration options that are part of their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Quebec operates its own business immigration programs.
Provinces can nominate qualified business immigrants to become permanent residents. If you are interested in immigrating to Canada through a business immigration program in a particular province, or through a Quebec program, you can review the eligibility requirements on the IRCC and provincial websites, or contact us to learn more about the options most suitable for your circumstances.
Quebec runs its own business programs for investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers. Outside Quebec, several provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Yukon, offer entrepreneur or farm streams within their Provincial Nominee Programs. Some provinces, including Ontario and Saskatchewan, have closed their entrepreneur streams in recent years. Each stream sets its own investment, net worth, experience and language requirements, and streams open, pause and close often, so we check the current rules with you before you commit to a plan.
How Our Immigration Lawyers Can Help
At Law Wise, we understand your specific circumstances and our immigration lawyers provide tailored solutions for all your needs. We are committed to prompt communication and a professional approach.
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