BUSINESS-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS

START-UP

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/start-up/eligibility.asp

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:

1. Prove your business is supported by a designated organization

Before you can apply for the Start-up Visa Program, you must have the support of a designated organization. These are business groups that have been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups.

If a designated organization decides to support your business, it will give you a Letter of Support.

You must include the Letter of Support with your application. If you do not include the letter or do not meet any of the requirements below, we will refuse your application.

2. Show that your business meets the ownership requirements

Up to five people can apply for the Start-up Visa Program as owners of a single business. However, to meet the ownership requirements:

·         each applicant must hold at least 10 percent of the voting rights in the business and

·         the designated organization and the applicants must jointly hold more than 50 per cent of the voting rights in the business.

Note: Voting rights are the right of a business owner to vote within a company. The right to vote is attached to each share of a business that is outstanding at a given time.

3. Meet the language requirements

The ability to communicate and work in English, French, or both will help your business succeed in Canada.

You must take a language test from an approved agency and include the results with your application, or we will not process it.

You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas:

    speaking

    reading

    listening

    writing

Use your test results to find your CLB level.

If you do not meet the minimum language skills, we will refuse your application.

Bring enough money to settle

4. The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new Start-up Visa immigrants.

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. You will need to give proof that you have the money when you apply.

The amount you will need depends on the size of your family. We update these amounts every year.

Number of

Family Members              Funds Required

(in Canadian dollars)

1             $12,300

2             $15,312

3             $18,825

4             $22,856

5             $25,923

6             $29,236

7             $32,550

For each additional family member          $3,314

How much money should you bring?

Find out how much it costs to live where you are planning to settle in Canada.

Bring as much money as possible to make moving to Canada and finding a home easier.

Disclosure of funds

If you are bringing more than CAN $10,000 across the Canadian border, you must tell a Canadian official when you arrive. If you do not, you may be fined, and your funds could be seized. These funds could be in the form of:

·         cash

·         securities that belong to you (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or

·         bankers' drafts, cheques, travellers' cheques or money orders.

Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/iivc/eligibility.asp

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Determine your eligibility – Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program

The application period for the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program is closed. The Department is not accepting applications at this time.

You must meet all of the requirements listed below to be eligible to apply under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program. You must also plan to live outside the province of Quebec.

Personal net worth

You must have a personal net worth of CDN $10 million or more. Your net worth must have been acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities.

Personal net worth acquired by inheritance or in the value of your primary residence will not count towards the personal net worth requirement.

Proof of personal net worth

CIC will require applicants whose applications can be considered for our second stage review to obtain a due diligence report at their expense from one of the following designated service providers:

• BDO USA, LLP
• Deloitte Forensic Inc.
• EY
• KPMG LLP
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP
• Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.

The due diligence report is an independent examination and validation of your past business or investment experience, source of funds and personal net worth.

The report will include the service provider’s opinion as to whether your wealth was acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities. Their report would also flag any potentially negative information for a CIC officer to consider.

Notes:

• If you are asked to obtain a due diligence report, you will be responsible for selecting a designated service provider, submitting the required documents to them, and paying the required fees. You will need to submit this report to CIC within the specified timeframe.
• You do not need to obtain a due diligence report when applying to the IIVC Pilot Program. CIC will ask you to obtain this report only if your application can be considered for our second stage review.

Non-guaranteed investment in a venture capital fund

You must be willing and able to make an at-risk investment (non-guaranteed) of CDN $2 million in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Fund.

If you are one of the immigrant investors approved under this program, you will be required to enter into an agreement with CIC committing a sum of CDN $2 million to the IIVC Fund for approximately 15 years.

As with any venture capital investment, you could receive proceeds over time or at the end of the investment term. Proceeds will depend on the fund's performance and will be based on its gains or losses, including expenses and fees incurred to manage it.

However, this would be an at-risk investment. This means that there is no guarantee of a return and it is possible that you could lose some or all of your investment.

Find out more about how investments to the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Fund will be managed.

Language skills

You must:

• prove your proficiency in English or French in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, listening and writing)
• take a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC);
• meet the minimum language levels of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French for all four language abilities (you can use your test results to find your CLB level); and
• include the original language test results when you apply
• your language test results must be less than two years old on the day CIC receives your application.

If you do not provide original language test results that show you meet the minimum language levels when you apply, your application will not be considered for the next steps.

Education

You must have:

• a completed Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate of at least one year

or

• a foreign equivalent, as validated by an original Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a CIC-designated organization. The ECA report must indicate that your completed foreign education credential is equal to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year.

The outcome stated in your ECA report must match one of the acceptable assessment outcomes for you to be eligible to apply.

An original ECA report is required from all applicants with a foreign education credential, and will be used to determine whether you meet the education requirement. If you do not submit the original ECA report when you apply, your application will not be considered for the next steps.

If you can demonstrate that you have a personal net worth of $50 million or more acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities, you can request an exemption from the education requirement when you apply, using the form provided by CIC.

Inadmissibility

Some people are inadmissible – they are not allowed to come to Canada. Many things can make you inadmissible, such as being involved in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime.

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

If you are inadmissible to Canada, you cannot apply under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program as your application will be refused.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/atlantic/eligibility.asp

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is for skilled workers and international student graduates who want to permanently live in:

• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

To apply for permanent residence through the Pilot you must:

• get a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer
• work with a designated employer to submit your application for endorsement to an Atlantic province
• receive an endorsement letter from the province

Learn more about getting endorsed by a province.

Who can apply - Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has two programs for skilled workers:

• Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

and one program for international student graduates:

• Atlantic International Graduate Program

The work experience, education, and job offer you need will depend on whether you are applying as a worker or an international student graduate. The other requirements are the same for both.

Work experience

Workers

You must have worked at least one year (1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week) within the last three years. It can be full-time, non-continuous, or part-time, as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.

The work must be:

• in one occupation (but can be with different employers)
• paid (volunteering or unpaid internships do not count)

Workers apply as either high-skilled workers or intermediate-skilled workers.

• High-skilled workers must have work experience at NOC skill type/level 0, A, or B.
• Intermediate-skilled workers must have work experience at NOC skill level C.

Check the requirements to make sure you select the right job. If you are eligible to apply for both, apply as a high-skilled worker.

The experience can be gained from inside or outside Canada.

International graduates

You do not need any work experience.

Education

Workers

You must have:

• a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree,

or

• a foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship education credential. You need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to make sure it is valid and equal to a Canadian credential.

The report must show your education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Your ECA must be less than five years old when you apply.

International graduates

You must have:

• a minimum 2 year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential from a recognized publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province
• been a full-time student in Canada for at least two years
• graduated in the last 12 months when you apply
• lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the last 2 years before you graduated
• had the visa or permit needed to work, study or train in Canada

Your study or training program cannot be:

• English or French second language courses for more than half of the program, or
• distance learning undertaken for more than half the length of the program.

You can’t apply if you had a scholarship or fellowship requiring you to return to your home country after you graduate.

Job offer

You must have a job offer that is:

• from a designated employer in an Atlantic province (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island)
• full-time (at least 30 paid hours per week)
• non-seasonal

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) and duration of the job offer depends on your application.

Job offers for high-skilled workers must:

• be skill type/level 0, A, or B
• last at least one year from the date permanent residence is granted

Job offers for intermediate-skilled workers must be:

• skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
• permanent

Job offers for international graduates must:

• be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
• last at least one year from the date permanent residence is granted

Your job offer does not need to be in the same occupation as your past work experience. However, you need to meet employment requirements for the job you are offered. The requirements are listed in the NOC.

The employer does not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Language

You must:

• have at least a level four (4) in the Canadian Language Benchmarks in English or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens in French, and
• take an approved language test that shows you meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Your results must be less than two years old when you apply.

Proof of funds

You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you immigrate. The amount you need depends on the size of your family and includes family members you support that are not immigrating with you.

You do not need to show proof if you are already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.

PROVINCIAL NOMINEES

British Columbia

https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/BC-PNP-Entrepreneur-Immigration

Entrepreneur Immigration - Program Requirements

If you want to immigrate to B.C. and are ready to invest in and actively manage a valid business here, you may qualify for our Entrepreneur Immigration stream. Here is an overview of the requirements.

Personal requirements

To qualify, you must:

• have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000
• demonstrate business and/or management experience
• have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

You must also have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.

Please review our Entrepreneur Immigration Program Guide to see the complete personal requirements.

Business, job and investment requirements

To qualify you must:

• establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business
• make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business
• create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the business

Please review our Entrepreneur Immigration Program Guide to see the complete business and investment requirements, including business eligibility and job requirements.

Registration and application fees

All applicants must pay the following fees:

• $300 registration fee
• $3,500 application fee
• $1,000 for each key staff application  

How does it work?

The first step is to research B.C.’s economy and regions to find a business opportunity. The WorkBC website provides comprehensive information and data about B.C.’s labour market and industries. When you have a business idea, please create a profile and a registration with our online application and registration system, BCPNP Online. Please include a business concept.

If you are eligible, you will receive a score based on your registration information. We will also put you into a qualified pool. Periodically, we invite people with the highest scores to apply through BCPNP Online.

See how to register and apply. Registration requires a non-refundable $300 fee.

Get started

For complete, up-to-date program information and requirements, please review the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program Guide (PDF, 1MB).

Note: This website provides a high-level overview of the program only. Please refer to the program guide for the most current and complete information. Check back often to ensure you have the latest version.

MANITOBA

http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/immigrate-to-manitoba/mpnp-for-business/eligibility/mpnp-b-eligibility/

MPNP-BUSINESS Eligibility

Eligibility Introduction | MPNP-B Eligibility | Business Experience | Adaptability Matrix

MPNP-B Eligibility is also available in PDF format

To qualify for the MPNP-B, interested applicants must:

• have a minimum verifiable personal net worth of CDN$350,000;
• have a minimum three years of successful business ownership and management experience or a minimum three years of executive-level experience as senior manager of a business; and
• score a minimum of 60 points in the Adaptability Assessment Matrix.

The applicant must also be prepared to:

• attend an interview with a MPNP-B officer;
• make an Eligible Business Investment in Manitoba; and
• reside in Manitoba along with his/her dependent family members.

The applicant may have to:

• conduct an Business Research Visit to Manitoba. The applicant must provide a visit report and other documents to demonstrate the research conducted during this visit (please see details on page 14); and
• provide the results of a language competency test to demonstrate language proficiency.

Note: Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination.

Please note that if your intention is to establish a primary production farming operation, you are not eligible to apply through this regular business stream of the Provincial Nominee Program for Business (PNP-B). You must apply through the Farm Strategic Recruitment Initiative (FSRI) which is a special initiative of the MPNP-B for farm business applicants.

Ineligible applications:
Applications will not be accepted from individuals who:

• have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada;
• are in Canada illegally;
• are subject to a removal order in Canada;
• are prohibited from entering Canada;
• have an application pending with another Provincial Nominee Program in Canada;
• had a prior MPNP-B application refused within the last 12 months; or
• had a prior MPNP-B application refused for misrepresentation or false documentation within the last 24 months.
• if your intention is to establish a primary production farming operation.

Applicants residing in Manitoba while their application is being processed are responsible for maintaining their legal status in Canada as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

An applicant is only permitted to have one MPNP application in process at one time, and cannot apply through both the skilled worker and business categories of the Program. The MPNP reserves the right to require applicants who, in the view of the Program, have the intention to immigrate to Canada for business purposes, to apply through the business category only.

Applicants should be aware that they may be ineligible for nomination by the MPNP-B, if they:

• do not meet the eligibility criteria as determined by the MPNP-B;
• have committed misrepresentation and/or fraud during the application process;
• have self-assessed an inaccurate number of points in the Expression of Interest (EOI) process;
• have been refused by another provincial or federal immigration program in Canada and the reasons for refusal are applicable to the MPNP-B;
• have close relatives and/or children residing in other province(s) of Canada;
• are unable to provide sufficient explanation with supporting documentation proving that the acquisition of their earned income and net worth were legally obtained; or
• are unable to demonstrate that they have the necessary resources and skills to operate their intended business.

Nova Scotia

http://novascotiaimmigration.com/move-here/entrepreneur/

The Entrepreneur Stream is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Nova Scotia. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business. After operating the business for a year, the entrepreneur may be nominated for permanent resident status. Application to the stream is by invitation only.

Eligibility

To apply you must:

• be 21 years of age or older;
• want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business;
• have a net worth of at least $600,000 CAD;
• be able to invest at least $150,000 CAD of your own money to establish a business in Nova Scotia;
• have at least 3 years’ experience actively managing and owning a business (1/3 ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years’ experience in a senior business management role;
• have a score of at least 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French;
• complete an online Expression of Interest;
• receive an Invitation to Apply from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

How to Apply

• Complete the Expression of Interest.
• If you are invited to apply, complete the application form and include all required information and attachments.

Invitation History

Application Guide and Forms

• Application Guide
• Application Form (NSNP 400) 
• Use of a Representative (NSNP 50) 
• Authority to Release Personal Information (NSNP 60)
• Net Worth Verifier Document Checklist
• Arrival Report (In development)
• Business Performance Agreement (In development)
• Nomination Request Form (In development)

Net Worth Verifiers

Grant Thornton
1100 – 2000 Barrington St
Halifax NS  B3J 3K1
(902) 421-1734
[email protected]

KPMG-Toronto
4600 – 333 Bay St
Bay Adelaide Centre
Toronto ON  M5H 2S5
(416) 777-3887
[email protected]

MNP
2200 – 1021 West Hastings St
MNP Tower
Vancouver BC  V6E 0C3
(778) 374-2102
[email protected]

Audit Service Verifiers

Collins Barrow NS
101 – 120 Eileen Stubbs Ave
Dartmouth NS  B3B 1Y1
(902) 422-1232
[email protected]

Grant Thornton
1100 – 2000 Barrington St
Halifax NS  B3J 3K1
(902) 421-1734
[email protected]

WBLI Chartered Professional Accountants
200 – 100 Venture Run
Dartmouth NS B3B 0H9
(902) 493-5452
[email protected]

Wheelans White, Chartered Accountants Inc.
230 Main Street
Yarmouth NS B5A 1C9
(902) 742-2333
Fax  (902) 742-0325
Rob Fuller, [email protected]

Contact Information

Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
1469 Brenton Street, 3rd floor
PO Box 1535
Halifax, NS, Canada
B3J 2Y3

(902) 424-5230

[email protected]

Ontario

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPENTREPRENEUR_ABOUT.html

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Entrepreneur

The following steps are required to participate in the Entrepreneur Stream:

• Register an online Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Your online EOI is entered into the selection pool and ranked by score.  Periodically, the ministry will draw registrants from the EOI selection pool and invite them to apply to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream.
• If you are invited to apply, you can submit a complete application and application fee to the OINP.
• If your application is approved, you will sign a Performance Agreement outlining the commitments you have made in your EOI to invest and create jobs in Ontario. You will be issued a temporary work permit support letter to apply for a temporary work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order to establish your business in Ontario. Please note: IRCC retains the authority to issue temporary work permits.
• If you meet the commitments of your Performance Agreement, you may be eligible to be nominated by the OINP for permanent resident status.
• Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for permanent resident status within six months of being nominated by OINP.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Stream, please refer to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream guide.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to Ontario. If approved, you and your business partner (if applicable) may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish your business. Once your business has been successfully established, you and your business partner (if applicable) may be eligible for nomination by the OINP.

You must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. If you are applying with a business partner, your business partner must also meet the eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, you and your business partner must meet five factors.

• Experience
• At least 36 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
• Your experience must be as a business owner OR as a senior manager (business management).
• Net Worth
• If your proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA – includes the City of Toronto, Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions), you must have a minimum net worth of $1,500,000 CDN.
• If your proposed business will be located outside of the GTA, you must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN.
• If your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of your proposed business location), you must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN.
• Personal Investment Funds
• If your proposed business will be located within the GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $1,000,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
• If your proposed business will be located outside of the GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
• If your proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector (regardless of where you set up the business), you must make a minimum personal investment of $500,000 CDN and have a minimum equity ownership of 33.3 per cent.
•  Job Creation
• You must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens/ permanent residents.
•  Exploratory Visit
• If you plan to purchase an existing business, you must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the last 12 months prior to the date you submitted your application.

You must meet the minimum requirements for all of these factors to be eligible to apply for the Entrepreneur Stream. If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet all the minimum requirements for each factor. 

For more information, please reference the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Entrepreneur Stream Guide.

Please review this program guide carefully before you submit an EOI to ensure that you and your business partner (if applicable) meet all eligibility requirements, and that you understand the application process, including how to submit an EOI.

Based on your EOI score, you may be invited to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. There is no guarantee that you will be invited to apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. Instructions on how to access the online application tool will be emailed to you if you are invited to apply.

Next Steps

• Determine if you meet minimum program eligibility criteria by completing the Self?Assessment Questionnaire prior to registering an EOI.
• If you believe that you meet minimum program eligibility criteria and would like express your interest in the program, register an Expression of Interest (EOI).
• If your EOI is selected, you will be invited to submit an application to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream.

Draw Information

The OINP will periodically conduct draws from the Entrepreneur Stream Expression of Interest (EOI) selection pool and invite registrants from this pool to submit an application to the OINP.

The following chart outlines the minimum score requirement for each draw, and the number of registrants from the EOI selection pool who were invited to apply. 

Registrants will be informed via email if they have been invited to apply.  Registrants may also wish to monitor their ONe-Key account for this information.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Stream program requirements including how to register an EOI please refer to the OINP Entrepreneur Stream guide.

If you have specific questions on the first draw, please contact the OINP: by email at [email protected] or by phone: 416-327-0374, or toll-free 1-866-214-6820.
 

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPCORPORATE.html

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program: Corporate Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Corporate Stream helps and supports established international corporations looking to expand into Ontario or buy an existing business. Once your business has been successfully established, key staff are eligible to apply for nomination that could lead to permanent resident status.

OINP is now accepting complete applications to the Corporate Stream.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for this program if you have a viable business activity that will bring significant economic benefit to our province. If we approve your proposal, your key staff may apply for a temporary work permit in order to establish your business.

Your corporation and your key staff must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply to the Corporate Stream, including:

• Your corporation must invest a minimum of $5 million CDN in a new or existing business
• Your corporation must create five full-time, permanent positions for Canadian citizens or permanent residents per key staff
• Key staff seeking nomination must be currently employed with the corporation and be essential to the establishment, continued operation and success of the business in Ontario
• Key staff must meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 4) level or equivalent in order to be nominated after your business has been established in Ontario

More information on the above criteria and other criteria you and your key staff must meet as well as the full application process and guidelines are available in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Corporate Stream Guide. Review this program guide carefully before you apply to ensure that you and your key staff meet all eligibility requirements and that you understand the application process.

Application forms for the Corporate Stream can be found here.

Learn More

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Business Streams. 

How are the new Business Streams different from the Investor Component?

Please keep checking this website for program updates. 

Saskatchewan

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/immigrating-to-saskatchewan/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program/applicants-entrepreneurs

Please be advised the SINP Entrepreneur program will conduct the following Expression of Interest (EOI) pool selections in 2017/18:

• July 19, 2017
• October 18, 2017
• January 17, 2018

Please see the new section below "Applying for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP)".

Through the SINP Entrepreneur Program, you and your family can start, obtain or partner in a business in Saskatchewan and be actively involved in managing it, while residing in Saskatchewan.

The Entrepreneur Category Process

There are three steps to the nomination process:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) submission to the SINP;
2. EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application; and
3. Nomination.

Learn more about each of these below.

The Expression of Interest (EOI)

The EOI is not an application; it is an expression of your interest in the SINP. Prospective immigrants will indicate their interest in operating a business and living in Saskatchewan by providing required information about their entrepreneurial experience, assets, and Business Establishment Plan (BEP), among other factors.

1. Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria will be accepted into the EOI candidate pool.
2. Once submitted, EOIs are scored and ranked using the Points Grid.

We select EOI's based on the EOI Points Assessment ranking and SINP nomination targets. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee selection for processing. Please visit Selected EOI Candidates for information regarding recent EOIs selected from the EOI application pool.

Before You Submit Your EOI

Note the following important information, before you submit your EOI:

• To submit an EOI to the SINP, you must:
• Meet the minimum entry criteria; and
• Complete the Points Assessment Grid in order to be scored once your EOI is in the pool of candidates.
• To meet the minimum entry criteria you must:
• Have $500,000 (CAD) at minimum in Net Business and Personal Assets;
• Have a minimum of three years of relevant business management or entrepreneurial experience gained in the past ten years; and,
• Intend to invest a minimum of $300,000 (CAD) in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 (CAD) in all other Saskatchewan communities.
• We'll assess the information you provide in your EOI against the points grid to rank your EOI in the pool of candidates. Candidates are then selected from the EOI system based on their score, with top scoring EOIs being prioritized for selection. Selected candidates are invited to apply to the SINP.
• If you are invited to apply you must submit a Business Establishment Plan (BEP) that corresponds to the information in your EOI. Your BEP must include:
• Your plan to establish a business that aligns with the points assigned in the Entrepreneur Category Points Grid, if applicable (for investment amount and sector);
• Your ownership of at least one third (33 1/3 per cent) of the equity of a business in Saskatchewan, unless your total investment is $1 million CAD or higher;
• Your commitment to provide active and on-going participation in the day-to-day management and direction of the business; and
• The creation of two employment opportunities in Saskatchewan for Canadians or permanent residents who are not related to you.
• This only applies if you're establishing a new business in Regina or Saskatoon.

Please note that the SINP reserves the right to have Business Establishment Plans assessed by professional third parties identified by the Government of Saskatchewan. The assessment conducted by Third Parties will focus on the preparation and due diligence conducted by the applicant in preparing their proposed business plan.

Who is not eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur Category?

The following are not eligible to apply to the Entrepreneur Category:

• Refugee claimants in Canada who are claiming refugee status from the Government of Canada.
• People living illegally in their country of residence or Canada.
• Persons who have had a removal order issued against them by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Border Services Agency.
• People who are prohibited from entering Canada.

You may not be eligible for immigration to Canada if any of the following situations is true:

• You or any dependent family member (accompanying or not) has a serious medical condition.
• You or any dependent family member over the age of 18 (accompanying or not) has a criminal record.
• You have unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any member of your family.
• You have intentionally misrepresented yourself in the application.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission to the SINP

Please follow these steps to submit your EOI to the program:

• Only those who meet the minimum eligibility criteria can submit an EOI.
• If you are eligible to apply under the Entrepreneur category review the Points Grid.
• Complete your EOI online. Instructions are provided during the online application. The system will calculate your score based upon the information you enter and your EOI will be placed in a pool for potential selection. Only EOIs with all sections completed can be submitted.
• If selected, your EOI will form part of your application. You must be sure your EOI is up to date at the time of submission, and that all answers are accurate and truthful. If your EOI is not up to date and it's found that you or any person associated with your application omitted relevant information or provided misleading or fraudulent information at the time of assessment, your application will be rejected and you'll be unable to apply to the SINP for a period of two years.
• Be sure you understand the questions before you provide an answer. If you're unsure, use the help icons or review this page again.
• There's no fee for submitting an EOI.
• You won't need to attach any documents to your EOI. However, you will be required to attach documents, including translations if necessary, if you're invited by the SINP to submit an electronic application.
• Your EOI is ranked based upon your points assessment score, after which it's placed in an EOI pool.
• EOI's can remain in the pool for 12 months from the date of receipt.
• If your EOI is not selected during this time it will be removed from the pool and you will be able to reapply if you want to.
• If you're able to acquire additional points after starting your EOI, you can update your pending EOI with current information before it's submitted.
• Once your EOI has been submitted you'll not be able to update it. If your EOI is selected it will be removed from the pool and you'll no longer be able to update it. Points for age are awarded based on your age on the date you submit your EOI.

The EOI Selection and Invitation to Submit an Application

EOI's are assessed based upon the criteria in place at the time when your EOI was submitted. If your EOI is selected it will be removed from the application pool and you will no longer be able to update it. Selection doesn't guarantee your application will be approved or that you'll receive a nomination or permanent residence.

After your EOI has been selected:

• You'll receive an Invitation to Submit an Application (ISA) letter. The letter will include a file number. If your application doesn't match the information in your EOI it will be rejected and you'll be unable to submit an EOI or apply to the SINP for two years.
• If your situation or any of your information has changed and the changes would result in a loss of points or you would no longer meet the minimum criteria then you should request to withdraw your EOI and not submit an application.
• You'll have 20 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
• Pay a $2,500.00 CAD non-refundable processing fee; and,
• Select and identify a recognized third party financial review service provider on your online application.
• You'll have 90 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
• Submit your complete electronic application, including all required supporting documents; and
• Submit your BEP.
• You'll have 180 calendar days from the date of the ISA letter in which to:
• Submit your Third Party Verification Report.
• You're responsible for submitting the required documents to the Third Party Verification provider (see the Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist).
• The Third Party Verification provider may request further documents or information and may call you for an interview if necessary.
• If you've not submitted the required information or processing fee within the time given, your invitation to apply will expire and your application may be closed and removed from the system.
• If your application has been removed from the system and you're still interested in applying to the SINP you'll have to submit a new EOI, under the relevant criteria in place at the time of submission.
• You'll need to upload supporting documents to your electronic application.
• Carefully review the document checklists for a full list of all required documents.
• All documentation must be provided in English or French.
• Where documents are in a language other than English or French, you must submit an electronic copy of the original document, as well as an electronic copy of its translation and a translator affidavit.
• If your application is accepted for processing and the information you provided changes, such as your family composition, marital status, country of residence, contact information, etc., you must inform the SINP. You're required to update your application even if your visa has already been issued.

Required Documents

Required documents are the documents required for your immigration application (e.g. documents that prove your identity, entrepreneurial experience, language ability, finances, etc.).

For a complete list of required documents, review:

• SINP Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist

You'll need to upload copies of your required documents to your electronic application. All uploaded documents must be clear and easy to read. If any documents are not in English or French you must submit the following:

• An electronic copy of the original document;
• An electronic copy of the English or French translation of the document; and
• An electronic copy of a Translator Affidavit that describes the ability of the translator.

Translations may be done by anyone, except:

• Your spouse;
• A member of your family; or
• A paid third party that has prepared your application to the SINP.

Some Canadian visa offices ask that documents are translated by a certified translator. The SINP doesn't ask for this, but you should still make sure your translated documents meet all federal requirements.

Although the SINP requests you upload copies of documents to an electronic application, IRCC may require original documents or certified copies.

Your SINP Application Assessment

• Once your application Processing Fee, Third Party Verification Report, and Electronic Application including all Supporting Documentation are received, we'll review your application and verify the information.
• Please note that only complete applications will be accepted.
• Incomplete applications will be closed and all submitted information and supporting documents removed from the system.
• If your application has been closed and you wish to reapply, you must
  submit a new EOI, under the relevant criteria in place at the time of submission.
• Your application will be assessed against the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria and your EOI Points Assessment will be verified.
• A Business Immigration Officer may contact you for more information or call you for an in-person interview.
• If, upon review of your application, you don't meet the program's Eligibility Criteria your application will be ineligible.
• If your application is found ineligible, all submitted information and supporting documents will be removed from the system. You may choose to submit a new EOI once you meet program criteria.
• If the SINP determines that your score on the Points Assessment Grid differs from the points you have claimed and that this was due to intentional misrepresentation, or that you or any person associated with your application omitted relevant information or provided misleading information:
• Your application will be rejected; and,
• You will not be permitted to submit an EOI or application to the SINP for a period of two years.
• If you appear to meet the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria you'll be contacted to participate in a final interview. This could be in-person or through a web-based video conferencing service.  Please note that applicants are responsible for ensuring they have access to the web-based video conferencing service, including all equipment and software required. 
• Upon completion of your final interview, you'll be sent a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) for your review and signature.
• Your BPA is your legal agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
• It will state the amount you’ll invest in your business, and the business sector you will operate your business under. The BPA will also list any other information relevant to your application including, but not limited to job creation, business succession and business location. This is based upon the information you supplied in your Business Establishment Plan.
• You must scan and attach your signed and dated BPA to the SINP within 30 days.
• Once we receive your signed and dated BPA, we’ll issue an SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter that includes instructions on how to apply to IRCC for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP), along with a Temporary Work Permit Support Letter. The letter is issued to facilitate your application to IRCC for a TWP. A TWP allows you to settle and operate your business in Saskatchewan.
• You must apply to IRCC for your TWP within three months of the date on the SINP Approval letter.
• If IRCC refuses your TWP application, your SINP application will be ineligible.

Who to include in Your Application

You must list all dependents on your application to the SINP Entrepreneur Category even if they're not coming to Canada with you. As well, you'll have to declare any new dependents to us and IRCC before visas are issued.

IRCC may change the definition of dependents or the policies regarding dependents at any time. You can review IRCC's policies and procedures on the IRCC website.

Presently, accompanying dependents include your:

• Spouse (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Spouse).
• Common-law partner (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Common-law partner).
• Dependent children (See SINP Important Words and Definitions: Dependent children).
• Dependent family members that are not included in your application can't be nominated for permanent residence as part of your SINP application later.
• If you want your dependent family members to join you in Canada later, you'll need to make a separate application to the Government of Canada's Family Sponsorship program, or another immigration category. The application will have to be approved before your dependent family members will be allowed to join you.

Please note: If you're the principal applicant, your parents, brothers and sisters may not be included in the SINP application.

Net Worth Evaluation - Third Party Financial Service Providers

The SINP uses two professional third-party financial service providers to assess the net worth and legal accumulation of net worth of applicants to this category.

When you receive an Invitation to Submit an Application (ISA), you'll find an SINP file number included.

1. Submit all relevant documents listed on the Third Party Document Checklist, with your file number to one of the third-party providers listed above. Your information won't be reviewed without this file number.
2. Make sure all your information (financial statements, property evaluations, bank account information, etc.) are up-to-date and correct. This will help speed up the evaluation process.
3. Once your assessment is complete, you'll receive an evaluation report from the service provider.
4. To complete your application, submit the evaluation report and updated information to the SINP. Submit your application for nomination to the SINP and include your evaluation report and any updated information.
5. Be sure to submit your application within 90 days of receiving your evaluation report.

Applying for a Temporary Work Permit (TWP)

• You will need to obtain a TWP to operate your business in Saskatchewan.
• We require you to submit your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter along with your application for a TWP to the federal government within three months after you get the letter, to facilitate your arrival in Saskatchewan within 12 months of receiving your SINP Entrepreneur Approval Letter.
• To apply for a TWP, you need to follow the instructions on IRCC’s website. You must first register as an employer in IRCC’s Employer Portal as the employer of your business (as a self-employed person). You will need to pay an employer compliance fee of $230 but you are exempt from the LMIA fee. If you do not have a Canada Revenue Agency number, you can contact the Employer Portal mailbox [email protected] for further assistance.
• Then you will need to apply for a TWP by going to the Employer Portal Welcome page, and going to the “What would you like to do today?” section. Select “Access the offer of employment queue”.
• You will then enter your own personal information in the section for “Your online offer of employment” and submit your work permit application to IRCC – showing that you have an “Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment” as the type of work permit in the “Details of Intended Work in Canada” section. The Entrepreneurs’ LMIA Exemption code is C11. Please refer to the Employer Portal user guide if you have questions.
• Once you have a TWP, you can relocate to Saskatchewan and establish your business.

Arriving in Saskatchewan and Establishing Your Business

• All approved applicants that don't attend an arrival meeting in Saskatchewan within 18 months of the date on the SINP Entrepreneur Approval letter will be deemed to have failed to fulfil BPA terms, and their applications will be closed.
• After you arrive in Saskatchewan you'll have to:
• Meet with a business service provider that we designate within 90 calendar days of arriving in Canada. The contact details will be sent to you with your BPA. The business service provider is available to answer your questions related to fulfilling the terms of the BPA. They can also refer you to other service providers for relevant information and guidance related to the establishment of your business;
• Submit your Arrival Report Form and the list of documents you should provide with it; and
• No later than 12 months after the Landing Date, submit your Business Establishment Progress Report to the SINP Entrepreneur category. This report outlines your business establishment activities to date.
• Upon arrival in Saskatchewan you're to:
• Begin to establish or purchase your business as per the requirements of your BPA. We recommend you start operating your business within six months of arriving in the province. To be eligible for nomination, you must operate your business for a minimum of six months.
• You're encouraged to use the settlement services available in Saskatchewan. You can access government funded settlement services through Regional Newcomer Gateways.
• These organizations are welcoming centres for newcomers to Saskatchewan. They provide language assessment services, career and employment services (for your accompanying family members), and guidance and advice from a Settlement Coordinator. The Regional Newcomer Gateways can also connect you to community and ethno-cultural groups.

BPA Change Requests

• Applicants applying to change their BPA should have completed the mandatory arrival meeting within 90 calendar days of arriving in Canada, and, if required, should also have submitted the mid-term Business Establishment Activity Report. Applicants that haven't fulfilled these obligations won't be eligible to request a BPA change.
• BPA change requests will only be considered when the proposed new venture has been well researched and detailed documentation is provided.
• You'll have to show genuine attempts to purchase or establish the business in line with your original BPA. You must also provide detailed documentation to show that you've attempted to fulfil your original BPA, or clearly outline why the business is no longer possible in your intended location.
• You'll have to explain what obstacles you've encountered and what you've done to try to overcome these obstacles.
• BPA change requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• You're not guaranteed to receive approval for a BPA change despite meeting program criteria.
• Change requests must be reviewed and the requested change must continue to meet program criteria, and be eligible.

BPA changes shouldn't result in you being assessed with fewer points than you were selected with, based on your EOI.

Application for Nomination

To qualify for nomination, you and your immediate family must be residing in Saskatchewan and you must meet the terms of your BPA, including:

• Transferring the required funds to Canada;
• Maintaining legal status in Canada; and
• Operating your business in accordance with your BPA for at least six months before requesting nomination. 

To ensure you maintain legal status in Canada, you're encouraged to have at least six months remaining on your TWP when you apply for nomination. You're responsible for maintaining your legal status in Canada in line with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

• Once you've fulfilled your BPA and operated your business for at least six months you'll be eligible to apply to the SINP for nomination.
• The SINP will assess your application for nomination and advise you of the outcome. You'll be assessed upon your compliance with your BPA and any other criteria in place at the time you started your application process.
• Submit your application for nomination electronically, using the SINP online system. See Nomination Request – Required Documents for the list of documents you'll need to provide.
• If approved for nomination the SINP will:
• Send a nomination certificate to IRCC; and,
• Send a nomination letter to you explaining how to send your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO).

Application for Permanent Residence

Once you've successfully completed all three steps above, you may apply for permanent residency. To gain permanent residence status, you must apply to IRCC with your SINP nomination.

• Ensure you maintain your legal status in Canada; and
• Have a valid TWP while you are waiting for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

IRCC considers your application after it receives the nomination certificate from the SINP, and is responsible for assessing each nominee's eligibility for Permanent Residence. It completes health, security and criminality reviews. It may also ask for any other information it thinks is needed, at any time during the application process. After all these reviews, if approved, IRCC will issue visas to you and your family members, as applicable.

• The SINP is not responsible for IRCC's decision to grant or deny Permanent Residence status.

What You Need to Know about Using Immigration Representatives

You are not required to use an immigration representative or consultant to apply to the SINP, but if you wish to do so, you must make sure they're licensed by the Government of Saskatchewan. Visit Using an Immigration Representative for more information.

Using Designated Individuals

In addition to your paid or unpaid representative, you may choose to let someone else have access to information about your application. For example, if you hire a lawyer to help with your application, you may also want a family member to be able to access to your information.

To have your personal information released to someone who is not your representative:

• Complete form IMM-5475: Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual; and
• Submit it with your application to the SINP.

Designated individuals will not receive copies of any correspondence from the SINP, but they can contact the SINP to receive information about your application, by emailing [email protected].

Application Forms

Provincial

• Application Guide for the Entrepreneur Category
• Guide de présentation des demandes au titre de la catégorie des entrepreneurs
• SINP Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• Third Party Entrepreneur Category Document Checklist
• SINP-EF-002 Accumulation of Funds Form
• Translator Affidavit
• Ethical Conduct Disclosure and Declaration Form

Federal

• Generic Application Form for Canada
• Additional Dependants/Declaration
• Schedule A - Background/Declaration
• Schedule 4 - Economic Classes
• Schedule 4A
• Additional Family Information
• Use of a Representative
• Instructions for Use of a Representative
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
• Applying for a Temporary Work Permit - Employer Portal User Guide

For help with filling out the federal forms, watch the following videos

• Immigration and Citizenship Forms: The Basics
• Save Time: Send a Complete Application
• Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476)