Provincial Business Programs

Most provinces and territories have signed agreements with the government of Canada that allows them to nominate business immigrants who want to settle there. In most cases, you must apply directly to the province or territory to be considered under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The first step in the process is to apply to the province or territory where you want to invest and settle. The province will assess your application according to its immigration needs and if they believe you really plan to live there. After a province nominates you, you must apply to CIC for permanent residence. A CIC officer will then assess your application according to Canadian law.

Each province has its own requirements and its criteria can change without notice.

Listed below are some examples of provincial program requirements under the Entrepreneur/Business Investor Category:

• Manitoba: Manitoba requires an applicant to have a minimum personal net worth of $350,000. It also requires an investment of at least $150,000 in tangible assets. If the investment is in an existing business, the nominee must control at least 1/3^rd of the equity or make a minimum investment of $1 million CAD in the business. The Applicant must have owned a previous business or have a minimum of 3 years of senior management experience. The Applicant must also score a minimum of 60 points in the Adaptability Assessment Matrix.The Applicant must actively participate in management of the business.The Applicant may have to conduct an exploratory visit to Manitoba and provide a visit report to demonstrate the research undertaken during this visit. The Applicant may also have to undergo a language proficiency test.
• Saskatchewan: To qualify under the Entrepreneur category in Saskatchewan, you must have a minimum net worth of $500,000 acquired through verifiable legal means. You must also have minimum three years entrepreneurial or relevant business management experience gained in the past 10 years.

Once you are approved in the entrepreneur category, to earn a nomination for permanent residence, you must invest a minimum amount of $300,000 in Regina and Saskatoon or $200,000 in any other part of the province. You must own at least 1/3rd of a business in Saskatchewan unless your total investmentis $1 million CAD or higher. You must establish a business that aligns with the points assigned in the Entrepreneurial Category Points Grid.

You must participate in the day to day management of the business. If your business is in Regina or Saskatoon, you must create at least two two employment opportunities for citizens or PRs in Saskatchewan.