Entrepreneur Stream

Entrepreneur Stream At a Glance

The Entrepreneur Stream is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), established under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. This program is designed for entrepreneurs from outside Canada who wish to start a new business or purchase an existing one in Ontario.

Through this stream, entrepreneurs and one eligible business partner can potentially be nominated for permanent residence after successfully establishing their business in Ontario.

Key Highlights:

1. Purpose:
   
   • To attract entrepreneurs to Ontario to contribute to its economy by launching or purchasing businesses.

1. Nomination for Permanent Residence:

1. • Once your business is operational, you may be nominated for permanent residence.
   • Final approval for permanent residence is granted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

1. Two-Stage Application Process:

1. • The Entrepreneur Stream follows a two-step process for applicants to meet the program’s criteria and establish their businesses.

Important Note:

This summary highlights key points about the Entrepreneur Stream. If there are any discrepancies between this content and the regulations under the Ontario Immigration Act, the legislation will take precedence.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The Entrepreneur Stream follows a two-stage process to help you establish a business in Ontario and work towards permanent residence.

Stage 1: Initial Application

1. Register an Expression of Interest (EOI):
   
   • Submit your interest to apply for the program.

1. Submit Your Online Application (if invited):

1. • If your EOI is selected, you will be invited to complete a detailed application.

1. Mandatory Interview:

1. • You and your business partner (if applicable) must attend an interview to discuss your business plan and qualifications.

1. Performance Agreement:

1. • If your Stage 1 application is successful, you will sign an agreement outlining the requirements you must meet for Stage 2.

Stage 2: Establishing Your Business

1. Temporary Work Permit Support Letter:
   
   • You will receive a support letter to apply for a temporary work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

1. Establish Your Business in Ontario:

1. • Implement your business plan within 20 months of arriving in Ontario.
   • Submit a final report demonstrating how your business meets the program’s requirements.

1. Nomination for Permanent Residence:

1. • If all requirements are met, you will be asked to provide documentation for nomination for permanent residence.

Before Registering Your Expression of Interest

• Check the Requirements:
  
  • Ensure you meet all mandatory criteria.
• Review the Ineligible Businesses List:
  
  • Confirm that your proposed business is eligible for the program.
• Understand the Process:
  
  • Familiarize yourself with the Expression of Interest process and read the registration instructions carefully.

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Key Requirements

1. Business Experience

• Duration: At least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
• Role:
  
  • As a Business Owner, you must have actively participated in managing the business and owned at least one-third of it.
  • As a Senior Manager, you must have had senior decision-making responsibilities and managed day-to-day business operations.

2. Net Worth

• Minimum Personal Net Worth:
  
  • Greater Toronto Area (GTA): At least $800,000 CAD.
  • Outside the GTA: At least $400,000 CAD.
• Conditions: Your net worth must be lawfully obtained, and verifiable, and exclude your spouse’s assets.

3. Personal Investment Funds and Equity

• Minimum Personal Investment:
  
  • GTA Location: $600,000 CAD minimum investment.
  • Outside the GTA: $200,000 CAD minimum investment.
  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector: $200,000 CAD minimum investment regardless of location.
• Equity: You must control at least one-third of the business equity.
• Restrictions: Passive investments, such as mutual funds, are ineligible to count toward your minimum investment.

Application Guidelines

• Supporting Documentation: You must provide proof of your qualifications claimed during your Expression of Interest.
• Deadline: Submit your application within 90 days of receiving an invitation

Active Involvement

• You must be actively engaged in the ongoing management of the business.

Capital Investment Purpose

• The primary goal of your investment must be to generate profit, not to earn interest, dividends, or capital gains.

Job Creation

Inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):

• Create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Outside the GTA or ICT Sector (any location):

• Create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Job Requirements:

• Paid at the median wage level for the position.
• Held for at least 10 continuous months before submitting your final report.
• Must exist at the time of the final report and nomination.

Additional Requirements for Purchasing an Existing Business

If you’re purchasing an existing business in Ontario:

1. Business-Related Visit:
   
   • Conduct at least one visit to Ontario within 12 months of registering your expression of interest.

1. Business Operations:

1. • The business must have operated continuously for the last 60 months under the same ownership.

1. Ownership Transfer:

1. • Ownership must be fully transferred to you (and your business partner, if applicable).
   • Previous owners must not retain any shares.

1. Investment Allocation:

1. • At least 10% of your personal investment must go towards improving or expanding the business.

1. Job Retention:

1. • Maintain all existing permanent, full-time jobs prior to ownership transfer.

1. Previous Ownership Restrictions:

• • The business cannot have been previously owned or operated by:
    
    • Current or former OINP business stream nominees.
    • Anyone nominated under the Entrepreneur Stream or the Opportunities Ontario Investor Component.

General Business Requirements
To qualify, you must meet both the minimum and general business requirements outlined below.

Business Purpose
Your business should aim to generate profit through active income by selling products or services.

Legal Compliance in Canada and Ontario
Your business must follow all relevant federal, provincial, and municipal laws, including Ontario’s labour and employment standards.

Permanent Business
Your business must be permanent and operate year-round in Ontario. Seasonal or project-based businesses are not eligible.

Business Premises in Ontario
You must have a physical business location in Ontario at all times.

Eligible Investors
Third-party investors must be either a Schedule I or Schedule II bank or an institutional investor.

Ineligible Business Types
Make sure your business doesn’t fall into one of the following ineligible categories before applying:

• Automated car wash
• Holding companies
• Laundromats
• Pawnbrokers
• Payday loan businesses
• Scrap metal recycling
• Tire recycling
• Businesses dealing with pornography or sexually explicit content or providing sexually oriented services
• Businesses previously owned or operated by an OINP Entrepreneur Stream nominee or an investor nominee under the former Opportunities Ontario program

Ineligible Businesses in the Greater Toronto Area
Additionally, businesses in the Greater Toronto Area cannot be:

• Existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are allowed)
• Gas stations
• Bed and breakfasts

Mandatory minimum requirements at Stage 2

Language

You must be able to listen, read, write and speak English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4.

For English tests, the OINP accepts either:

• International English Language Testing (IELTS) (General Training test only)
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) (General test only)

For French tests, the OINP accepts either:

• Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada)

Learn more about the English and French language tests .

Residency

You must be physically living in Ontario for 75% of the time during which you are establishing your business.

You must receive a temporary work permit and arrive in Ontario within 12 months of receiving approval at Stage 1. You must inform the program of your arrival within seven days.

Active management

You must be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities of your business.

Meet the commitments in your performance agreement

You must meet all the commitments agreed to in your performance agreement, which are based on information provided in your EOI and business plan.

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Applicant Checklist

Overview

If your Expression of Interest (EOI) is successful and you receive an invitation to apply for the Entrepreneur Stream, you’ll need to upload scanned copies of certain documents. These documents will support the information provided in your EOI and online application.

Important: All listed documents are mandatory unless stated otherwise.

Work Experience Documents

Resumé

Upload a copy of your most recent resumé. It should highlight:

• Your education background
• Business experience
• Work history

Documents for Senior Managers

a. Employment Reference Letters
Include reference letters from all employers over the past five years. Each letter must:

• Be printed on official business letterhead
• Include the company’s address, phone number, fax number, email, and website
• Specify the name and signature of the responsible officer or supervisor
• Detail your:
  
  • Employment period
  • Job positions, roles, and responsibilities
  • Number of people managed and time spent in each role (if applicable)
  • Total annual salary and benefits
  • Weekly working hours
  • Extended leaves longer than one month

b. Organizational Chart
Upload charts from organizations where you held senior management positions in the past five years. These charts should:

• Highlight your position and reporting structure
• Show the organization’s size

c. Work Contracts
Provide scanned copies of your employment contracts for the past five years.

d. Pay Slips
Upload copies of your last two pay slips or payroll records from your current employer.

Other Required Documents

• Investment Documents: To verify your financial investments.
• Human Capital Documents: Supporting documents related to your education, skills, and experience.
• Identity Documents: Government-issued identification to confirm your personal details.

Documents Required for Business Owners

If you’re applying to the Entrepreneur Stream as a business owner, you’ll need to upload the following documents to verify your ownership and experience.

1. Employment Reference Letters

Submit three reference letters from your current or past business contacts (e.g., vendors, suppliers, or customers). Each letter must include:

• Name and title of the person providing the reference
• Their contact details
• Duration of your relationship
• Description of your professional relationship

2. Business Registration Licence

Upload the business registration licence for every organization you owned within the past five years.

3. Taxation Authority Registration

Provide proof of registration with taxation authorities for each business you owned in the last 60 months.

4. Proof of Shareholding

Upload documents showing the shares of ownership of each organization you have owned within the last five years.

5. Employee Records

Submit a detailed list of employees, including:

• Monthly salaries
• Hours paid per month
• Proof of salary payments for at least 12 months within the last five years
  Make sure to separate full-time and part-time employees in your list.

6. Business Income Tax Returns

Provide copies of business income tax returns or receipts for business tax payments for at least two years within the last five years.

7. Financial Statements

Submit financial statements and business bank statements covering a minimum of 24 months within the last five years.

8. Articles of Incorporation

If applicable, upload copies of your business’s articles of incorporation to confirm its legal structure.

Specific Work Experience

If you claimed points for high growth, export trade, or transferable skills in your Expression of Interest (EOI), you must provide the following documents based on your role:

For Senior Managers:

1. High Growth Experience (Last 60 Months)
   
   • Reference letter from your employer.
   • Supporting documents detailing your contribution to high-growth activities.

1. Export Trade Experience (Last 60 Months)

1. • Reference letter from your employer.
   • Supporting documents showing your authority in export trade activities.

1. Transferable Skills (Last 60 Months)

1. • Reference letter from your employer.
   • Supporting documents proving your experience in a similar industry or sector to your proposed business.

For Business Owners:

1. High Growth Experience (Last 60 Months)
   
   • Financial statements for two consecutive years show a minimum of 20% revenue growth.

1. Export Trade Experience (Last 60 Months)

1. • Documents such as financial statements, purchase orders, vendor agreements, or reference letters proving at least 20% of your goods or services were exported to foreign markets.

1. Transferable Skills (Last 60 Months)

1. • Supporting documents showing your experience in a related industry or sector to your proposed business.

Investment Documents

Net Worth Report

• Submit a third-party verification report of your net worth and how your funds were legally acquired.
• Details on obtaining this report will be emailed if you are invited to apply.

Business-Related Visits

(Required only if you are purchasing an existing business.)
Provide at least three of the following as proof of a business visit to Ontario:

• Flight itineraries and boarding passes.
• Accommodation receipts.
• Meeting summaries or itineraries.
• Email correspondence with Ontario business contacts.
• Photos or notes from your business trip.
• Business cards or contact information from meetings.

Business Plan

• Submit a detailed business plan that aligns with the investment and job creation information in your EOI.
• Refer to the Entrepreneur Stream Application Guide for structure details.

Proof of Business Ownership

(Required only if you are purchasing an existing business.)
Provide at least two of the following documents:

• Business name report (for sole proprietorships or partnerships).
• Profile report (for corporations).
• Letter of intent to purchase or sale agreement.

T4 Statements

(If applicable.)

• Upload copies of T4 statements for all full-time and part-time employees for the most recent tax year.

Frequently Asked Questions