Entrepreneur Class

Canadian Business Immigration


Canadian Permanent Residence Visas for Entrepreneurs

There are many visa options available for businesspeople We offer a free immigration assessment and personal consultation to help you

The Entrepreneur Class is an immigration category for people with business experience who wish to manage a business in Canada that they either launch or purchase. After an Entrepreneur lands in Canada they have to meet certain terms and conditions:

Prior business experience required

Entrepreneurs must have managed a “qualifying business” and had control of a “percentage of equity” of the qualifying business for at least two (2) years in the previous five before the application is submitted as well as when the application is decided. The prior business cannot be one that was simply for deriving investment income, such as interest, dividends or capital gains.

Net worth requirements

Entrepreneurs and spouses must have a net worth of at least C$300,000 and demonstrate that their assets were obtained legally.

“Qualifying Canadian business” means a business—other than a business operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income such as interest, dividends or capital gains—for which, during the year under consideration, there is documentary evidence of any two (2) of the following:

  • the “percentage of equity” multiplied by the number of full-time job equivalents is equal to or greater than two full-time job equivalents per year;
  • the “percentage of equity” multiplied by the total annual sales is equal to or greater than C$500,000;
  • the “percentage of equity” multiplied by the net income in the year is equal to or greater than C$50,000, and;
  • the “percentage of equity” multiplied by the net assets at the end of the year is equal to or greater than C$125,000.

Terms and conditions placed on the entrepreneur visa

Within two (2) years of landing in Canada an entrepreneur must prove he/she:

  • Controls at least 33.3% equity of their “qualifying Canadian business”;
  • Provides active and ongoing management of their “qualifying Canadian business”;
  • Will create at least one full-time job (or equivalent) for a Canadian (*excluding the entrepreneur’s family members).

An Entrepreneur must satisfy only two of the four requirements below. These numbers are based on 100% ownership, so the entrepreneur must demonstrate he/she owns this amount proportionally. For example, an entrepreneur who owns 50% of the business must show double the values listed below.

  • Two full-time workers (or equivalent) per year;
  • Total annual sales of at least C$250,000;
  • Net income of at least C$25,000;
  • Net assets of at least C$125,000.

Applicable time period

The entrepreneur must meet these conditions for a period of at least one year within three years after the day the entrepreneur becomes a permanent resident.

Other business programs

Quebec has its own business immigration program and most provinces have Provincial Nominee Programs which can fast-track applicants who are destined to move to those provinces.