The Business Investor Stream (BIS) allows Manitoba to recruit and nominate qualified business investors and entrepreneurs from around the world who have the intent and ability to start or purchase businesses in Manitoba. The province has renewed its business immigration program to ensure that all the business nominees invest in businesses that can create more employment and drive the economy in Manitoba.

There are two pathways:

The Entrepreneur Pathway for applicants seeking to open a business in Manitoba. Under this program, candidates who demonstrate their intention and ability to move to Manitoba and establish, purchase businesses or become partner to an existing business within the first 24 months of arrival in Canada on a temporary work permit, will be nominated by the province. There is no requirement to submit deposit to the Manitoba Government. The key requirements  related to business under this program are:

• Minimum net worth $500,000 CAD
• Minimum investment is $250,000 CAD for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region
• Minimum investment is $150,000 CAD if a business is situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region

The Farm Investor Pathway for those intending to establish and operate a farm operation in rural Manitoba. This program specifically targets individuals with previous farming business experience, have enough capital to invest and demonstrate an intention to operate the operation in rural Manitoba. The type of operation and investment must correlate with Provincial statistics and be relevant to Manitoba’s farm industry. The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Minimum net worth $500,000 CAD
• Minimum investment $300,000 and the investor is expected to establish a farming business in rural Manitoba.

The Saskatchewan’s Entrepreneur Program allows an applicant and his family to start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan. The SINP Entrepreneur Program follows three steps nomination process: submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the SINP, EOI selection and invitation, and nomination. The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Minimum Worth $500,000 CAD
• Minimum investment is $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon, or
• Minimum investment is $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.

The Ontario Business immigration aims to attract individuals who are looking to establish a new business or purchase or partner with an existing business in Ontario. Corporate stream: To apply under this stream, an applicant must be an international corporation looking to expand or buy an existing business in Ontario.

• A minimum investment of $5 million CAD

Entrepreneur stream: To apply under this stream, an applicant must be an entrepreneur from outside of Canada looking to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario.

• Proposed Business located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA – includes the City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions)
  • Minimum net worth of $1,500,000 CAD
  • minimum personal investment of $1,000,000 CDN
  • Minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
• Proposed Business located outside of the GTA
  • Minimum net worth of $800,000 CAD
  • Minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN
  • Minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent
• Proposed Business in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of your proposed business location)
  • Minimum net worth of $800,000 CAD
  • Minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN
  • Minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.

The New Brunswick- Entrepreneurial Stream was developed for experienced business owners and senior managers who wish to become permanent residents by owning a business in New Brunswick (NB) and managing it, while residing in the Province. The province follows a 6-step process to issue permanent residency to the business nominees and allow them to set up their business in New Brunswick. The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Minimum net worth of at least CAD $600,000 of which CAD $300,000 must be liquid and unencumbered funds
• Minimum investment of $250,000 CAD

Under the PEI business immigration program, individuals who intend to immigrate to Prince Edward Island and are interested to own a business, may become eligible for a nomination for permanent residency through the 100% Ownership Stream of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). This stream is designed for foreign nationals with business-ownership or extensive management experience who are interested to own and operate their own business in PEI.

The Province of Prince Edward Island has announced changes to the Business Impact Category of the Provincial Nominee Program. After September 20, 2018, the province will only invite entrepreneurs selected through the Work Permit stream as the 100% Ownership and Partial Ownership streams will close.  All candidates will continue to be invited through the Expression of Interest system and the draw schedule will remain unchanged. The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Minimum verifiable personal net worth of $600,000 which has been accumulated through legal and legitimate sources in your own right
• Sign an escrow agreement with the Province and submit a $200,000 deposit.

The Yukon Business Nominee Program is designed for Foreign business owners and entrepreneurs to establish and operate their business in Yukon, if the individuals meet the eligibility criteria. An individual has to meet certain personal and business requirements.  The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD, with documented proof that it was obtained through legal means. This MUST be verified by a Yukon accounting firm
• Minimum capital investment of $300,000 and must demonstrate how they will expand the same business in the first two years
• Minimum $300,000 in liquid assets (cash, bonds, cash derivatives etc.) with documented proof that they were obtained through legal means. This MUST be verified by a Yukon accounting firm.  test

Under this business program, the individuals who intend to move to the Northwest Territories to start their own business or invest in and operate an established company may apply to the business streams of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program. The business stream of the NWT Nominee Program is designed to attract a start-up businesses which will enhance the economy of the Northwest Territories. The key requirements related to business under this program are:

• Business is in Yellowknife
  • Minimum worth $500,000 CAD
  • Minimum investment $300,000 CAD
• Business is outside of Yellowknife
  • Minimum worth $250,000 CAN
  • Minimum investment $150,000 CAN