Canada Investment Immigration: 12 Routes to PR

Canada has several investment immigration options for international business owners, investors, entrepreneurs, start-ups, or self-employed persons.

With the ease of doing business in Canada as compared to other countries, investing in Canada has become a popular choice.

These investment options provide foreign nationals and their family the opportunity to expand their business to Canada, invest in an existing Canadian business, or establish a new one. Furthermore, this investment could lead to permanent residency (PR) in Canada through investment.

For businesspeople and investors seeking to invest in Canada and get permanent residence, below are 12 programs that can help gain Canadian permanent residency by investment.

1. Intra-Company Transfer:

Canada’s Owner/Operator LMIA program was discontinued in 2021. The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is the closest alternative to this program. Entrepreneurs who want to expand their business in Canada can use the ICT Canada program. After one year, they may apply for permanent residence or become a senior company executive with an LMIA-exempt work visa, allowing them to apply for permanent residence. The ICT pathway also provides open work and study permits to the applicant’s family.

2. C11 Entrepreneur Stream:

The C11 Entrepreneur Stream is an International Mobility program for those who want to start a new business or invest in an existing one in Canada. Successful applicants can apply for permanent residency after one year of operating their business. There are no minimum investment requirements for the C11 work permit, and it typically has a two-year validity.

3. LMIA-Based Work Permits:

Investors, business owners, and entrepreneurs can apply for LMIA-Based Work Permits to enter Canada and work as managers for their own or other Canadian companies. They may apply for permanent residence after two years of full-time employment. There are no minimum investment requirements for this pathway.

4. British Columbia-BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration:

British Columbia has two options for those seeking permanent residency in Canada through investment:

• BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category: For those who want to start or buy a business in British Columbia and apply for permanent residency after fulfilling the business performance agreement requirements, which usually takes 18-20 months. The minimum investment required is $200,000.
• BC PNP Regional Pilot Program: For those who want to start a business in British Columbia’s small regional communities and apply for permanent residency after fulfilling the business performance agreement requirements, which takes one year. The minimum investment required is $100,000, making it one of the most popular investment immigration programs.

5. Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration Programs

• AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream: For those who want to start or buy a business in Alberta’s rural communities. After one year of business operation, candidates can apply for PR.The minimum investment required is $100,000.
• AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: For graduates from an Alberta college or university who want to run or start a business in the province. Following a year business operation, candidates may apply for PR. The minimum investment required is $50,000 or $100,000.
• AAIP Farm Stream: For those with substantial farming experience, farm ownership, and financial resources for management, who want to establish or purchase a farm in Alberta. The minimum investment required is $500,000.

6. Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

A program Ontario offers business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start, buy, and run a business in Ontario. The minimum investment required is $200,000 or $600,000.

7. Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream

• SINP Entrepreneur Category: For those who want to buy or partner in a business in Saskatchewan. The minimum investment required is $200,000 or $300,000.
• SINP International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: For those who have graduated from a Saskatchewan college or university and want to start, buy, and operate a business there. There is no minimum investment required.
• SINP Farm Owner and Operator Category: For those who have previous farm ownership experience and want to own and run a farm in Saskatchewan. The minimum investment required is $150,000 or $300,000.

8. Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathways

• MPNP Entrepreneur Pathway: for those who want to buy or launch their own business in Manitoba with a minimum investment of $150,000 or $250,000
• MPNP Farm Investor Pathway: for those with previous farm ownership experience who intend to run a farm in a rural area of Manitoba with a minimum investment of $300,000

9. New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream

For those who want to start and run a business in New Brunswick with a minimum investment of $150,000

10. Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Programs

• NSNP Entrepreneur Category: for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to start or acquire a business in Nova Scotia with a minimum investment of $150,000
• NSNP International Graduate Entrepreneur Category: for recent graduates of a Nova Scotian university or college who have established or acquired a Nova Scotia business and run it for at least a year.

11. PEI PNP Business Impact Category

• PEI Work Permit stream: for those who want to manage and invest in Prince Edward Island businesses with no minimum investment required

12. Quebec Investor Programs

• Quebec Immigrant Investor Program: currently on hold until April 1, 2023, with a minimum investment of $1,200,000
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program: for those who want to start and run an innovative business in Quebec with different eligibility requirements and minimum investments depending on the stream
• Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program: for those who want to work for themselves and relocate to Quebec with a minimum investment of $25,000 or $50,000.