Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Ontario Business Program is dedicated to international entrepreneurs who wish to invest in Ontario.

Free ASSESSMENT

Key Features

Investment

Investment of CAD $200,000 outside Toronto GTA
CAD $600,000 inside Toronto GTA

Net Worth

CAD 400,000 worldwide including values of current and fixed assets

Outcome

ONIP offers Work Permit. Must operate the business within 18 months to get the permanent residency

Ontario Business Program – Entrepreneur Stream

Ontario Business Program is dedicated to international entrepreneurs who wish to invest their business expertise and money in Ontario.

This program has minimum eligibility requirements. Every applicant who meets the minimum eligibility will be given a score out of 200 points.  Ontario conducts periodic draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all applicants with scores above or equal to that draw’s threshold are invited to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Business Experience

Toronto downtown highriser city view at dawnThe applicant should have a minimum of 2-year business experience as a senior manager, or the applicant has business ownership experience.  The business owner should show at least 1/3 of business ownership and should demonstrate an active role in running the business.

Net Worth

The required net worth varies depending on where the business will be located:

  • For businesses located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), applicants must have a minimum net worth of $800,000.
  • For businesses located outside the GTA, applicants must have a minimum net worth of $400,000.
  • For businesses in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of where it will be located), applicants must have a minimum net worth of $400,000.

Required Investment

  • The required investment varies depending on the location of the proposed business:
  • If the proposed business will be located within the GTA, applicants must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000.
  • If the proposed business will be located outside the GTA, applicants must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000.
  • If the proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of where it will be located), applicants must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000.
  • Have minimum equity ownership of 33.3 percent;

Job Creation

  • For businesses located within the GTA, applicants must commit to creating at least two permanent, full-time jobs for Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents
  • For businesses located outside the GTA, applicants must commit to creating at least one permanent, full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the 12 months prior to submitting the Expression of Interest, if purchasing an existing business.

Language requirements

The minimum required score is CLB 4 only, which can be demonstrated through the following tests: IELTS  test (General Training) or CELPIP for English.  For the French language, applicants can take test Test d’évaluation du français (TEF) or Test de connaissance du français (TCF).

Eligible and ineligible businesses

To be eligible to the Entrepreneur stream, the proposed business investment must satisfy the following general eligibility requirements:

  • The purpose of the proposed business must be active, not passive by providing services or sale of goods
  • The proposed business must comply with any applicable federal and provincial licensing requirements
  • The proposed business must at all times have a place of business in Ontario

Applicants who will  purchase an existing business should meet the following conditions:

  • An existing business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner or group of owners for the last 5 years before you buy the business.
  • The purchase must completely transfer ownership from the owner to the applicant
  • The proposed business must not have been previously owned or operated by current or former Ontario business stream nominees.

In addition to the list above, the following are also not eligible inside the GTA:

  • Existing Franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
  • Gas Stations
  • Bed and Breakfasts

Latest News