If you are an experienced business owner or manager, Canada wants you here. Business immigration gives you a real, structured path to move your life and your business to Canada – and eventually to call yourself a Canadian citizen. It is not a single program or a single step. It is a journey, and this page walks you through the whole thing.
You do not need to be a Canadian resident to get started, and you do not need to have the money already invested. What you do need is a credible business idea, enough capital to back it up, and a genuine intention to run the business here. Canada’s entrepreneur programs are built for people in that exact position.
This guide takes you from the very first step, your work permit application, all the way through to permanent residence and citizenship. Plan for about 3 to 4 years from your first application to permanent residence.
Comparing every route, including intra-company transfers and options for employers? Start with our guide to business immigration to Canada.
Key Takeaways
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Three phases: work permit, provincial nomination, then PR.
Plan for about 3 to 4 years from your first application to permanent residence.
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You start with a work permit based on your business plan.
You do not need to invest your money before it is approved.
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Budget at least $200,000 CAD in liquid funds.
Or $250,000 if you are buying an existing business.
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Provinces also check your personal net worth.
Most entrepreneur streams ask for roughly $300,000 to $600,000.
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Six provinces run active entrepreneur streams in 2026.
Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream is closed to new applicants.
What Is a Business Owner Visa in Canada?
A business owner visa is not one official visa. It is the group of Canadian work permits and provincial entrepreneur programs that let you come to Canada to own and run a business, then apply for permanent residence. These programs are built around what you do as a business owner, not just where you worked or what degree you earned. If you want to bring a business to Canada, create jobs and build something real here, you are in the right place.
What makes these programs different from other immigration routes is the opportunity they give you before you commit. You can come to Canada on a work permit, test your business idea in the real market, see if the community and province feel right for your family, and make adjustments – all before anything becomes permanent. Once you are confident, you move forward to permanent residence.
That is the path this guide focuses on, and the one that works for most of our clients: come first, test, then commit. By the end of the process, you will have permanent residence for yourself and your family.
Can I Start a Business in Canada Without PR?
Yes – you can register a Canadian business without being a permanent resident or citizen. The catch is that you cannot actually work in that business without a valid work permit. That means no managing operations, making decisions, or showing up day-to-day until your permit is in hand. In the meantime, you would need a Canadian resident to run things on your behalf.
A lot of clients ask us: Should we invest in the business first and worry about the permit later? We always say the same thing: do it the other way around. Your work permit is based on your business plan, not how much money you have already spent. Get the permit approved first, then commit your capital once you are legally authorized to work in Canada.
How to Get Canadian Permanent Residence Through Business Ownership
The process moves through three phases, and each one builds on the one before it. Together, they usually take about 3 to 4 years from your first application to permanent residence. Here is how it works.
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Step 01
Entrepreneur work permit
Apply based on your business plan. Decisions usually take 3 to 4 months.
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Step 02
Provincial endorsement
Settle in, then apply to the province and sign a performance agreement.
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Step 03
Commitment period
Run your business and meet your commitments, usually for about 12 months.
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Step 04
Nomination and PR
The province nominates you, then IRCC decides your PR application.
Phase 1: Entrepreneur Work Permit
This is your starting point. Before you invest a single dollar, you submit a work permit application based on your business plans. If it is approved, you and your family can come to Canada, get settled, and begin building.
You start by putting together a business concept – either by proposing something new you want to launch, or an existing business you want to buy. You do not need to have spent any money yet. What matters at this stage is showing that your plan is realistic and that you have the funds available to carry it out.
On average, you should have at least $200,000 CAD in liquid funds. If you are buying an existing business, set a starting budget of $250,000 — the extra $50,000 covers closing costs like broker fees, legal work, and accountant fees, which add up faster than most buyers expect.
Once your concept is ready, you register the business in your chosen province, put together your business plan, and submit your work permit application. The application is reviewed based on the strength of your plan, your relevant background, and the economic benefit your business will bring to Canada. This type of work permit is issued to people whose business activity creates a meaningful benefit for the country.
Most decisions come back within 3 to 4 months, depending on where you apply from. If your application is approved, here is what your family can receive:
- A work permit for you of up to 18 months. Since May 2025, IRCC limits owner-operator work permits to 18 months.
- An open work permit for your spouse, so they can work in your business or for any employer in Canada. Your own permit must have at least 16 months left when your spouse applies, so it is best to apply together.
- Status for your children under 22, as students or visitors depending on their age. Children no longer receive their own open work permits.
This phase is intentionally low-risk. Your whole family gets access to provincial health care, and post-secondary children may qualify for domestic tuition rates. More importantly, you can arrive in Canada, test your market, and see whether the community you have chosen actually feels right for your family – all before you sign anything binding with a province. If something needs to change, this is the time to change it.
Phase 2: Provincial Endorsement
Once you arrive, take 2 to 3 months to settle in. Explore the community you have chosen, test your market and make sure it is the right fit. You can still adjust your business model or reconsider your location during this window. Once you are confident, we start the provincial application together.
When you are ready, we present your business to the province for review. At this point, you will need a few key documents:
- Approved language test results
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), where the province requires one. WES is the most commonly used provider.
- A business plan the province can review
- A net worth verification report from a province-approved verifier
- A record of your business experience
The province goes through your business plan carefully, verifies your net worth, and assesses whether your business is a good fit for their community. This is a genuine evaluation – they are deciding whether to put their name behind your permanent residence application, so they take it seriously.
If the province wants to work with you, it sends a performance agreement setting out your commitments on investment, jobs and timelines. Once you sign it, the province can usually issue a support letter that lets you extend your work permit while you complete those commitments, and your commitment period starts.
Important
Once you sign the performance agreement, you are committed. Its terms are binding, and you need to follow through on your business plan to be nominated. Plan to live in the province and run your business day to day. British Columbia, for example, expects you to be physically present at least 75% of the time.
Phase 3: Commitment Period and PR Application
With the performance agreement signed, your commitment period begins. In most provinces it is about 12 months. New Brunswick allows as little as 6 months, while British Columbia usually takes 18 to 20 months. During this time, you show the province that you have done what you agreed to do. For most of our clients, it is the most demanding part of the process, and also the most rewarding.
During this period, you are usually expected to:
- Hire at least one full-time employee who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (not a relative)
- Put your required investment into the business
- Be physically present in the province and actively running the business day to day
At the end of the commitment period, you report your results and the province reviews them against what you agreed to. If you have met your obligations, it issues your provincial nomination, which is the green light for your permanent residence application.
With your nomination, you submit your permanent residence application to IRCC, together with your spouse and children. IRCC currently takes about 13 months to process provincial nominee applications made outside Express Entry. Altogether, most people should plan for about 3 to 4 years from their first work permit application to PR.
Choosing Your Province: Where Should You Set Up Your Business?
Six provinces run active entrepreneur immigration streams in 2026. Each has its own industries, investment thresholds and lifestyle. The cards below give you a quick comparison so you can start thinking about where your business fits best.
British Columbia
Key industries and cities
Technology, film, natural resources and tourism. Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna.
Good to know
High cost of living and strong Asia-Pacific ties. Expect a longer commitment period.
Alberta
Key industries and cities
Energy, agri-business, technology and logistics. Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer.
Good to know
No provincial sales tax. Entrepreneur streams focus on rural communities and recent graduates, with few spaces each year.
Manitoba
Key industries and cities
Agri-food, manufacturing, aerospace and health. Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach.
Good to know
Low operating costs. The minimum investment is lower outside Winnipeg.
Nova Scotia
Key industries and cities
Ocean technology, fisheries, tourism and clean energy. Halifax, Dartmouth.
Good to know
Lower costs and lower investment thresholds outside Halifax. You can only apply if invited.
New Brunswick
Key industries and cities
Forestry, agri-food, IT and customer service centres. Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John.
Good to know
Low business costs and a bilingual workforce. Performance period can be as short as 6 months.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Key industries and cities
Offshore energy, fisheries, tourism and mining. St. John’s, Corner Brook.
Good to know
Low competition and strong government support for new businesses.
What about Ontario?
Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream is closed to new applicants. The province has said a redesigned stream is planned, but no criteria have been published. Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and the territories also have smaller business streams worth checking.
The province you pick matters. Choose somewhere your type of business makes sense, where your family can see themselves living, and where the cost of doing business works for you. Immigration becomes a lot easier when the business decision is the right one.
How to Get Canadian Citizenship as a Business Owner
Citizenship is the final chapter. Once you have your permanent residence, the clock starts on the time you need to spend in Canada before you can apply. Here is what that looks like.
Everything starts with the three phases above. You get your work permit, run your business in Canada, meet your provincial commitments and receive permanent residence. That journey usually takes about 3 to 4 years.
To apply for Canadian citizenship, you need to have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days – three years – out of the five years before you apply. The time you spent here on a work permit before receiving your PR counts toward that total, but at half the rate. One day on a work permit equals half a day of credit, up to a maximum of 365 days.
Along with the residency requirement, you will need to pass a language test in English or French, pass a citizenship knowledge test covering Canadian history, government, and values, and show that you have filed your Canadian taxes. If you are between 18 and 54 at the time of your application, both the language and knowledge tests apply to you. Your children can be included in the same application.
How Can I Invest in a Canadian Business?
There are four ways to get into a Canadian business as a foreign owner. Each one has different costs, risks and immigration requirements. Here is a quick breakdown.
Start a new business
Typical budget
From $150,000. You have full control and build the business from the ground up.
Best for
Entrepreneurs with a clear concept and the confidence to build in a new market.
Buy a business
Typical budget
From $250,000. Operations start right away, but due diligence is critical. Plan for closing costs.
Best for
Buyers who want an existing customer base and would rather grow a business than start one.
Buy shares in a business
Typical budget
$200,000 to $500,000. The business must be active, and you need enough ownership to show you manage it. Many provinces ask for at least one-third.
Best for
Owners who want an experienced partner and the business knowledge that comes with one.
Buy a franchise
Typical budget
From $150,000. A proven system, but the franchise agreement adds complexity.
Best for
Owners who accept less control in exchange for proven systems, networks and support.
Investment is not the same as net worth
On top of your investment, most provinces require a verified personal net worth of roughly $300,000 to $600,000, depending on the province and stream. We check both numbers with you before you apply.
You do not need to invest your money before your work permit is approved. Your permit application is based on your business plan. That said, you will need to show that the funds are ready and accessible – not locked up in property or long-term accounts – and that you have a genuine intention to run the business. This includes a clear and well-developed business plan. If you are buying a business, shares or a franchise, you need to show that you have made real steps to come to an agreement with the seller, business owner, or franchisor.
Business Owner Visa and PR in Canada: Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions business owners ask us most. A weak business plan is one of the most common reasons applications fail; watch this video to see what to avoid.
Budget at least $200,000 CAD in liquid funds for a new business to cover your investment and operating costs. If you are buying an existing business, plan for a starting budget of $250,000, with part of it set aside for closing costs. The money needs to be accessible: cash or near-cash. When you apply to a province, you will also need a verified personal net worth, usually between $300,000 and $600,000.
Yes, and for many international entrepreneurs, acquiring an existing Canadian business is a faster and lower-risk entry point than building one from the ground up. Purchasing an established business gives you an immediate operational footprint: existing customers, revenue history, employees, and premises. That said, the acquisition must be genuine and arms-length. Officers will look closely at the purchase price relative to market value, your ownership stake, whether the previous owner has been appropriately transitioned out of day-to-day management, and whether you are genuinely running the business or simply holding shares. A business acquisition that looks like a convenience arrangement, where the original owner continues to operate and you play no active role, will not satisfy immigration requirements. Done properly, however, buying a Canadian business is a well-established and legally sound pathway to permanent residence. Our lawyers advise on business acquisition due diligence, purchase structure, and immigration strategy as a combined service.
Yes. Your spouse can usually get an open work permit, so they can work in your business or for another employer in Canada. Your own work permit needs at least 16 months left when your spouse applies, so it is best to apply together. Children under 22 come as students or visitors, depending on their age, and no longer get their own open work permits. Your whole family is included in your PR application.
If you miss the targets in your performance agreement, such as the hiring or investment requirements, the province will not nominate you for PR. This is why it is important to be prepared and confident before you sign.
Most provinces require a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 or 5 in English or French. That is a basic working level – you do not need to be fluent. You will need to take a formal test like IELTS (English) or TEF Canada (French) and present the results to the province.
You should avoid passive businesses – things like holding companies or rental properties where you are not actively working or which won’t create meaningful benefits for the community. Home-based businesses and some regulated industries should also be avoided. Your business needs to create real jobs and real economic activity. If you’re not sure whether your business is a good fit, we can help you assess!
No. Your work permit is based on your business plan, your experience and your available funds, not your actual investment. You can come to Canada, test the market, and get comfortable before spending a dollar. The investment happens during the performance period, after you have signed the provincial agreement.
Plan for about 3 to 4 years from your work permit application to PR. Work permit decisions take about 3 to 4 months. After arriving, you take a few months to settle before applying to the province, and the province needs time to review your application. The commitment period is usually about 12 months (6 months in New Brunswick, longer in British Columbia). IRCC then takes about 13 months to decide your PR application.
How Sobirovs Law Firm Can Help
Business immigration is all we do at Sobirovs Law Firm. We work with business owners at every step – from picking the right province and putting together your business plan, to getting your work permit, managing the provincial endorsement process, and seeing your PR through to the end.
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We help you identify the best business opportunity and structure your entry strategy before you commit any capital.
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We prepare and submit your Entrepreneur Work Permit application, including your business plan and supporting documentation.
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We manage your provincial endorsement application — coordinating the net worth verification, business plan review, and, if required, the provincial interview.
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We submit your PR application and handle all correspondence with IRCC on your behalf.
