As of 2020, small businesses employed 7.7 million individuals in Canada, which is 67.7% of the total private labour force.

By comparison, medium-sized businesses employed 2.3 million individuals (20.6% of the private labour force) and large businesses employed 1.3 million individuals (11.7% of the private labour force).

How are business entrepreneur visa in Canada?

A small business has 1 to 99 paid employees

A medium-sized business has 100 to 499 paid employees

A large business has 500 or more paid employees

Requirements & Eligibilities

(last updated September 19, 2022)

Sl#	Province and program	Net worth	Investment amount	IELTS	Other requirements
1	Ontario Entrepreneur stream	400,000-800000	200,000-600000	CLB4	No min edu. Business owner or senior manager (business management) for at least 24 months of the last 60 months.
2	Entrepreneur Application - SINP	$500,000	200000-300,000	No minimum	No min edu. Business management or entrepreneurial experience 3 years
3	Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)	600,000	200000 - 800000	CLB4	business and/or management experience; if no business experience, must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma
4	The Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway	500,000	150,000 -250,000	CLB5	High school 3 years, business owner or senior manager
5	The Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway	350,000	150,000	No minimum	No min edu 3 years, business management or farm ownership
6	Nova Scotia Entrepreneur stream	600000	150,000	CLB 5	No minimum edu 3 years business ownership or 5 years senior business management
7	Alberta rural entrepreneurship stream	300,000	200,000	CLB4	Min high school minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years.
8	New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream	500,000	150,000	CLB5	two-year post-secondary education after high school
9	Newfoundland and Labrador International Entrepreneur category	600000	200000	CLB5	21 to 59 years of age High school edu Have at least two years’ experience actively managing and owning a business in the last five years OR 5 or more years’ experience in a senior business management role in the last ten years
10	PEI Bus impact category	600000	150000	CLB4	High school 21-59 years
11	Business Stream in the Northwest Territories	250000-500000	150000-300000	CLB4	Level of education and/or certification needed to fulfill the business plan
12	Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)	500000	300000	CLB4	High school Business ownership and/or management 5 years

On average the following steps need to be followed while considering the entrepreneurship visa process

Stage 1

Involves mostly application steps and getting approvals

Make Sure You Satisfy all Criteria and Requirements
Complete and Submit an Online Expression of Interest (EOI)
Invitation to Apply
Submit Your Online Application
Application Assessment
Sign Performance Agreement

Stage 2

This stage involves getting into Canada and setting up your business

Before You Arrive: Temporary Work Permit
After You Arrive: 20 Months For Business Establishment
Nomination for Permanent Residence
Application For Permanent Residence, Plus Three Years of Monitoring