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Provincial Nominee Programs – BUSINESS

 

Canadian Immigration

Permanent Residence

Temporary Residence

 

Alternative Passports

 

In comparison, we hold an outstanding business immigration expertise and experience, which allows to maximize your chances of success in the business categories offered by the provinces. In some provinces, such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it is not possible anymore to apply directly for a Provincial Certificate. Instead an applicant has to prepare an initial business proposal and provide information, which is used to allocate points to the potential applicant. Based on the total point score an applicant would then be invited to apply for the PNP certificate. Still, others like PEI still have a direct immigration program. Based on your needs and circumstances we will propose the best option for your immigration strategy.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has introduced a mandatory online registration system

Expression Of Interest

for all prospective applicants to the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. The registration is scored according to points. The registration system will calculate one portion of your score and you will then receive a total score from BC PNP based on the information you provide in your registration.The BC PNP will periodically invite the highest-scoring registrants to submit applications. Below is a general overview of the eligibility criteria of the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

General Nomination Requirements
o active and ongoing management of the day-to-day business operations
o demonstrated residence in B.C.
o admissibility to Canada

Personal Requirement
o personal net worth of at least $600,000
o business and/or management experience

Business requirements
o establish a new business or purchase and improve an existing business

Investment requirements
o make an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 in the business

Job requirements
o create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the businessAn Entrepreneur Immigration Registration is not an application to the Entrepreneur Immigration stream or a guarantee that you will be invited to apply.If invited to apply, the BC PNP may refuse your application if the information in your registration is materially different from your application.

GENERAL INFORMATION BC

 

ALBERTA

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) can nominate individual farm owner/operators who want to immigrate, purchase and manage a farming business in Alberta. They need proven management skills and the financial resources to develop a sustainable growth-oriented production farm business. The AINP works closely with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development to assess the eligibility of applicants in this category.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream criteria (includes but is not limited to):

You must prove that you have farm management skills shown by:

o Financial documentation of your existing farm business
o Documentation of your education, training and work experience
o Proposed business plan for the farming enterprise you are considering in Alberta
o Proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance your proposed farming business.

You must have sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation.

o You must be able to invest a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
o You must provide documents that demonstrates you have a minimum net worth of CDN $500,000 or confirmation that you have access to a similar amount of funds from other sources.
o The CDN $500,000 is the minimum amount. You may be required to show you have the ability to invest more than the minimum.

You must invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.

o You will have to document your investment intentions in your proposed business plan.
o Applications representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta’s agri-food targets will be given priority.

Meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

The following are NOT eligible under the AINP Self-Employed Farmer Stream:

• Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process. It is not the mandate of the AINP to intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
• Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
• Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta
• International students studying in Canada and doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program.

GENERAL INFORMATION ALBERTA

 

SASKATCHEWAN

Entrepreneur

The updated Entrepreneur Category is now open to new candidates. Candidates interested in owning and actively operating a business are now invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the new online EOI system. Only online submissions will be accepted. The SINP utilizes two professional third party financial service providers who will assess the net worth and legal accumulation of net worth criteria of applicants to the Entrepreneur category.

There are three eligibility criteria in the SINP Entrepreneur Category that you must meet to be selected and approved:

1. A minimum net worth of $500,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD) that can be verified.
2. Accumulation of net worth through legal means, which can be verified.
3. Minimum three years entrepreneurial or relevant business management experience.

If you are approved by the SINP – Entrepreneur Category, in order to earn a nomination for permanent residency you will be required to:

• Invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities;
• Establish a business that aligns with the points assigned in the Entrepreneur Category Points Grid, if applicable (for investment amount and sector);
• Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan unless your total investment is $1 million CAD or higher;
• Provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business; and
• If you are establishing a new business in Regina or Saskatoon, create two employment opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents in Saskatchewan (non-relative workers).

Please be advised the SINP is subject to a nomination limit set by the federal government. The ability to be nominated is affected by these constraints and program criterion. No Expression of Interest submission is guaranteed to be accepted and/or nominated.

Farmers
Farm Owners / Operators

The Farm Owner/Operator category is for individuals with proven experience in farming and substantial capital available to invest in a farming operation and who intend to purchase and operate a farming operation in Saskatchewan. The Young Farmer stream of the Farm Owner/Operator Category is designed to allow young farm families to establish their lives and farming operations in our province’s rural areas.

To be considered for the Farm Owner/Operator category you must meet all of the following four criteria:

1) Available Equity – you must provide financial documents showing a net worth of $500,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD).

2) Refundable Cash Deposit – you must sign a Performance Agreement committing to purchase a farm operation in Saskatchewan and make a “good faith” deposit of $75,000 CAD in trust. The cash deposit will be returned to you when the terms of the Performance Agreement are met. The deposit will be forfeited to the Province if the terms are not met within two years of landing in Saskatchewan.

3) Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan – you must have conduct a comprehensive exploratory visit to Saskatchewan of no less than five working days and must meet with an SINP representative.

4) Farm operation knowledge and experience – you must provide documentation (e.g. education and training, work experience, financial documents of their previous operations) that demonstrates that you are a knowledgeable farm operator. If necessary, we may further verify this information through an interview when you are in Saskatchewan.

The farm owner/operator category is restricted to proprietary businesses that include primary agricultural production. Agri-business operations may qualify under the Entrepreneur category of the SINP.

Please be advised the SINP is subject to a nomination limit set by the federal government and application intake thresholds. The ability to be nominated is affected by these constraints and program criterion. No application is guaranteed to be accepted and/or nominated.

Young Farmer Stream of the Farm Owner/Operator Category

Application Criteria:

1) Have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD, which is verifiable to 80% certainty.
2) Verifiable legal accumulation of funds to 80% certainty.
3) At the time of your application you must be under age 40.
4) You must have a minimum of three years farm ownership, farm management or practical farming experience.
5) You must provide a documented proposal for a commercial Saskatchewan farming opportunity based on research, consultations or formal coursework relevant to Saskatchewan agricultural conditions. Hobby Farms are not eligible. The farming proposal must be a commercial venture undertaken with a reasonable expectation of profit. In Saskatchewan, a qualified farming business must have a minimum of $10,000 CAD annual revenue.
6) You or your spouse must have marketable employment skills, based on education and experience that allows you to supplement your farming income.

Nomination Requirements:

1) Before submitting your application you must have conducted an exploratory visit to Saskatchewan that lasted at least five days.
2) You must have practical farming experience with skills that are relevant to Saskatchewan farming conditions.
3) You must make a minimum equity investment of $150,000 CAD in a new or existing farming operation in Saskatchewan comprised of either capital assets (land, machinery) or working capital.

GENERAL INFORMATION SASKATCHEWAN

 

MANITOBA

Entrepreneur

In order to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B), a prospective applicant must submit an EOI <Expression Of Interest> and receive an advice from the MPNP-B to apply. An EOI is not an application and there is no fee for the submission of an EOI. An EOI is an indication that you would like to be considered for a Nomination Application to the MPNP-B.

An EOI is used to evaluate the potential of an applicant to successfully settle and become economically established by starting a business in Manitoba with points. A higher score increases your chance of being selected from the participating group. An invitation to file a Nomination Application is based only on the information presented in an EOI. If there are any differences in the information provided in the EOI and the actual Nomination Application, and the points under the Adaptability Assessment Matrix are less than claimed in the EOI, that application will be refused EVEN if you are able to pass the points test or meet other threshold criteria. The MPNP-B is not obliged to assess your EOI for the applicable criteria on the date of its submission. Your EOI may be assessed with any changed criteria irrespective of the date of submission and the EOI criteria applicable on that date.

To qualify for the MPNP-B, interested applicants must:

• have a minimum verifiable personal net worth of CDN$350,000;
• have a minimum three years of successful business ownership and management experience or a minimum three years of executive-level experience as senior manager of a business within the last 5 years; and
• score a minimum of 60 points in the Adaptability Assessment Matrix.
The applicant must also be prepared to:
• attend an interview with a MPNP-B officer;
• make an Eligible Business Investment in Manitoba; and
• reside in Manitoba along with his/her dependent family members.

The applicant may have to:

• conduct an Exploratory Visit to Manitoba. The applicant must provide a visit report and other documents to demonstrate the research conducted during this visit (please see details on page 14); and
• provide the results of a language competency test to demonstrate language proficiency.

Note: Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination.

Applicants should be aware that they may be ineligible for nomination by the MPNP-B, if they:

• do not meet the eligibility criteria as determined by the MPNP-B;
• have committed misrepresentation and/or fraud during the application process;
• have self-assessed an inaccurate number of points in the Expression of Interest (EOI) process;
• have been refused by another provincial or federal immigration program in Canada and the reasons of refusal are applicable to the MPNP-B;
• have close relatives and/or children residing in other province(s) of Canada;
• are unable to provide sufficient explanation with supporting documentation proving that the acquisition of their earned income and net worth were legally obtained; or
• are unable to demonstrate that they have the necessary resources and skills to operate their intended business.

Farmers

To qualify for the Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative (FSRI), interested applicants must:

• have a minimum verifiable personal net worth of CDN$350,000.
• have a minimum of three years farm business management or farm ownership and operation experience supported by verifiable documents.
• demonstrate adaptability, specifically relating to practical farming skills, technical knowledge and experience in technological based farming practices that will transfer

Although the FSRI does not employ an adaptability matrix that awards points for English or French language capabilities, the FSRI recognizes language capabilities in either of Canada’s two official languages are an important adaptability skill that will accelerate your ability to become economically established in rural Manitoba.

The applicant must also:

• conduct an Exploratory Visit to Manitoba. The applicant must provide a visit report and other documents to demonstrate the research conducted during this visit .
• attend and conduct an interview upon request of a MPNP-B officer in either of Canada’s two official languages after the Nomination Application with application fee have been submitted.
The applicant must also be prepared to:
• make an Eligible Farm Business Investment in Manitoba; and
• reside in Manitoba along with his/her dependent family members.

GENERAL INFORMATION MANITOBA

 

ONTARIO

Requirements Corporate Investments

To qualify, investments must be of significant importance to Ontario and must create jobs for Ontarians. New investments and expansions to current operations are eligible. Investments need to meet the following eligibility guidelines:

• The investment must receive an official endorsement from another Ontario ministry at the Deputy Minister level for the investment and the number of key positions requested.
• The amount of the investment is at least $3,000,000.
• The investment must create at least five net permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Ontario.

Companies making an investment in Ontario can request multiple positions. For the first nominee position request, 5 net permanent, full-time jobs must be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents located in Ontario. For each subsequent nominee position request, one permanent, full-time job must be created for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident located in Ontario. The maximum number of nominee positions which can be requested is 25 nominee positions.
Investment Nominee Position Guidelines

Investment Nominee Positions being considered for approval by Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program must:
• Be necessary for the long-term success of the investment.
• Be in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
• Be permanent, full-time positions.
• Meet prevailing wage levels. Information about wages for a variety of professions can be found on the Service Canada Labour Market Information website.
• Not affect the settlement of any labour dispute or affect the employment of a person involved in such a dispute, or adversely affect employment or training opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Ontario.

Requirements Individual Investors

• Be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business
• Control, or will control, at least 33.334% of the equity in the business, or make a minimum $1 million investment in the business
• Not have the option of redeeming the investment after a specified period
• Invest the capital in the business not for the primary purpose of deriving interest, dividends or capital gains

GENERAL INFORMATION ONTARIO

 

NOVA SCOTIA

Family Business Worker

The Family Business Worker stream helps employers hire workers who are close relatives. They must also have the work experience and required skills for positions employers have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.

Before submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), the family business worker must have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer who is a close relative and who owns an established business in Nova Scotia.

The worker or the spouse must be related to the family business owner or spouse of the business owner in one of the following ways. The worker is the business owner’s:

Son or daughter*
Brother or sister*
Niece or nephew (children of brothers or sisters)*
Uncle or aunt (parent’s brothers or sisters)*
Grandchild*
(* or a step or half-relative of the same degree)

Note: At this time, under the Family Business Worker stream, the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration will not consider low-skilled occupations that fall under the NOC Skill level D.

GENERAL INFORMATION NOVA SCOTIA

 

NEW BRUNSWICK

As a Business Applicant:

• You are between 22 and 55 years of age. Your age is assessed as of the day your application for permanent residence is received at the NBPNP Office and you are assigned an NBPNP application number.
• You have sufficient English and, or French language ability to actively manage a business in New Brunswick. To obtain an objective assessment of your language ability you may be asked to submit an International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS) or a Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF). You can use language test results for two years from the time you took the test.
• You have, at a minimum, been awarded a high school diploma for education completed after junior/middle school and before college, university and other formal training.
• You will live, and operate a business in New Brunswick. You must assume day-to-day management role in the business.
• You have relevant and proven management experience in three of the last five years. You must demonstrate prior management experience in the private sector. As a business owner or senior manager you must have significant decision-making responsibility. There must be a link between your management experience and the skills needed to operate your business in New Brunswick.
• You demonstrate an understanding of the business environment in New Brunswick. You must gain knowledge of the New Brunswick business environment during your business trip.
• You will prepare a business plan of economic benefit to New Brunswick. Your business plan must be approved by an official of the Government of New Brunswick.
• You have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 CAD. Personal net worth is defined as the value of total assets, less the value of total liabilities. You must have sufficient funds to start the business and provide for the successful settlement and support of dependent family members for up to two years without third party assistance. The actual amount of funds required by the NBPNP will depend upon the planned business venture in New Brunswick.
• You will submit all required forms and supporting documents. If documents provided in support of Selection Factors are missing, incomplete or not able to be verified you will receive a “0” score for that selection factor. Immigration Program Officers have a right to request additional information at any time.

• You will submit a signed copy of the Deposit Agreement and a conditionally refundable deposit of $75,000 CAD, prior to nomination. The Deposit Agreement specifies the terms and conditions of your agreement to make a financial investment in a business in New Brunswick.

• You score a minimum of 50 points in the selection factors.

 GENERAL INFORMATION NEW BRUNSWICK

 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (PEI)

Business Criteria

The PEI PNP Business Impact Category provides an opportunity for foreign nationals to apply to be nominated by Prince Edward Island to become permanent residents of Canada providing they invest in and actively manage a business in Prince Edward Island.  Under this category, the applicant may start a business, obtain 100% control of an existing Prince Edward Island business or purchase partial ownership, with at least 33 1/3% of the equity (see definitions), of an existing Prince Edward Island business.  The applicant’s choice of a Prince Edward Island business should match their skill set and abilities to run that particular business.

The Business Impact Category has three streams from which an applicant can choose:

Prince Edward Island businesses that are seeking a buyer for part of, or all, of their business should consult their professional advisors.  This may include Island agents approved under the PEI PNP, accountants or lawyers. Island agents will be actively seeking investors interested in Prince Edward Island.  Additionally, any immigrant requiring assistance in the immigration process can only be represented by an Island agent.

Transaction Requirements

Any sale of equity to an applicant under the Business Impact Category,at a minimum:

  • Must make a minimum investment of $150,000 Canadian dollars (CAD).
  • Must control not less than 33 1/3 % of the equity in the business or make an equity investment in the business of at least $1,000,000 CAD.
  • Must provide active and on-going management of the business from within Prince Edward Island.
  • Must not include a redemption option in the terms of the investment.

When the applicant’s investment is in the form of preferred shares, the business will be required to execute a use of proceeds agreement. The final agreement will be posted to the website shortly.

Ineligible Business

Applications will NOT be considered for the following types of businesses:

  • Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms (see definitions) and home-based businesses
  • Pay day loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses
  • Pawnbrokers
  • Sale of used goods (excluding collectibles, or where the business provides value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing, or recycling)
  • Real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
  • Businesses started for the sole purpose of gaining access to immigrant investment through the program
  • Professional practices
  • Financial services
  • Consulting services
  • Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the program or the Government of Prince Edward Island into disrepute.
  • An entity that cannot issue shares.

This list of ineligible sectors are meant to serve as an indicator only for those industries either outside of the current scope of the Province’s priorities. Recognizing these priorities may change over time, due to the changing nature of our economic conditions; Office of Immigration, Settlement and Population reserves the right to make additions or deletions to these ineligible sectors.  

 GENERAL INFORMATION PEI