Business Immigration to Canada: Provincial Entrepreneur Programs Open in 2026

Entrepreneur Immigration in Canada: Where You Can Still Apply

If you want to move to Canada by starting or buying a business, your options have changed this year. The federal Start-up Visa Program was paused on June 30, 2026, and IRCC isn’t accepting new applications.

That puts the spotlight on provincial and territorial entrepreneur programs. Several provinces still run business streams that can lead to a nomination for permanent residence. Each one has its own process, investment amounts and rules.

Quick answer

With the federal Start-up Visa paused, most entrepreneurs will look to provincial nominee programs. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and the Northwest Territories all have business streams. Quebec runs its own Entrepreneur Program. Most use an expression of interest (EOI) or a pre-screening step, and most require you to run the business in the province before you’re nominated.

How Provincial Entrepreneur Programs Usually Work

Every program is different, but most follow a similar pattern:

1. Check your eligibility against the program’s minimum requirements.
2. Submit an expression of interest (EOI) or complete a first screening step.
3. Receive an invitation to submit a full application.
4. Sign a business performance agreement setting out what you’ll do.
5. Get a work permit and move to the province.
6. Start or buy the business and run it for the required period.
7. Receive a provincial nomination once you meet the agreement.
8. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

The province nominates you, but IRCC makes the final decision on permanent residence.

Entrepreneur Programs at a Glance

British Columbia

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) runs two entrepreneur streams. Both use online registration and invitations. BC’s most recent draw, on October 20, 2026, invited candidates in both streams with a minimum score of 118.

Base Stream

This stream is for people who want to start a new business anywhere in BC, or take over and grow an existing one.

Regional Stream

This stream is for people who want to start a new business outside Metro Vancouver, in a participating BC community. The business must match that community’s economic priorities. You must make an exploratory visit and get a referral from the community before you register. The referral is valid for 90 days.

Funds You’ll Need

BC government fees are $300 to register and $3,500 to apply. IRCC work permit and permanent residence fees are separate.

How the Process Works

1. Develop a business proposal. For the Regional stream, find a community, make an exploratory visit and request a referral first.
2. Register online through the BC PNP portal. BC scores your experience, education, language and business concept.
3. Wait for an invitation. Registrations stay in the pool for up to six months.
4. Apply within four months of your invitation. You may be asked to attend an interview.
5. Sign a Performance Agreement with BC and receive a Letter of Support.
6. Apply for a work permit within 90 days, and arrive in BC within 12 months of getting it.
7. Run your business and meet your agreement within 20 months of arriving.
8. Submit a final report 18 to 20 months after arrival.
9. Receive your nomination and apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

Documents You’ll Need

Based on BC’s requirements, expect to include:

• Business proposal or business plan, which is central to your application and interview
• Net worth and source of funds verification from a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm, completed before you apply
• Proof of business or management experience
• Language test results showing at least CLB 4
• Community referral form (Regional stream only)

BC’s Entrepreneur Immigration Program Guide has the full document list. Check it before you apply.

Alberta

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has three entrepreneur streams.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for people who want to start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community. Alberta says it’s currently accepting EOIs.

Before you can submit an EOI, you need a Community Support Letter from a participating rural community. Key minimums include:

• Net worth - $300,000
• Investment - $100,000 of your own equity
• Experience - three years as an active business owner-manager, or four years as a senior manager, in the past 10 years
• Language - CLB 4 in each skill
• Exploratory visit - required

New businesses must also create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who isn’t a relative.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start or buy a business in Alberta. Candidates submit an EOI.

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for graduates of post-secondary institutions outside Canada who want to launch a start-up or innovative business in Alberta. Alberta says it’s currently accepting EOIs.

You must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency before you submit your EOI. Key minimums include:

• Education - a degree from outside Canada, completed in the past 10 years
• Investment - $100,000 in an urban centre, or $50,000 in a regional area
• Ownership - 34% in an urban centre, or 51% in a regional area
• Experience - six months managing or owning a business, or equivalent incubator or accelerator experience
• Language - CLB 5 in each English skill

You’ll also need enough settlement funds to support yourself and your family for at least six months.

Manitoba

Entrepreneur Pathway

Manitoba’s Business Investor Stream isn’t holding regular EOI draws right now. Instead, it’s using a temporary, paper-based process while it updates its online system.

Under this interim process, you email your EOI and supporting forms to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Manitoba aims to review EOIs within four weeks. If you get a Letter of Advice to Apply, you submit a full application with a $2,500 fee.

Key minimums include:

• Net worth - $500,000
• Experience - three years of full-time work in the past five, as an owner (at least 33%) or senior manager
• Language - CLB 5

International Student Entrepreneur Pilot

This pilot is for international students who graduated in Manitoba and want to run a business instead of taking a job. Manitoba offers up to 20 spots per calendar year. You must attend an information session before submitting any forms.

New Brunswick

Business Immigration Stream

This stream replaced New Brunswick’s old Entrepreneurial Stream. It’s for experienced entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in New Brunswick and manage it day to day.

You submit a free EOI and wait for an invitation. If invited, you pay a $2,000 application fee. Key minimums include:

• Age - 19 to 59
• Net worth - $500,000, or $300,000 for agriculture
• Investment - $150,000, plus at least one full-time job created
• Experience - two years in the past five, as an owner (51% or more) or senior manager
• Language - CLB 4
• Points - 65 out of 100

After six months of operating under your Business Performance Agreement, you can request a nomination.

Nova Scotia

Both of Nova Scotia’s entrepreneur routes start with an online EOI, and applications are by invitation only. Nova Scotia began charging application fees on September 1, 2026.

Entrepreneur Stream

Key minimums include:

• Net worth - $600,000, or $400,000 outside the Halifax Regional Municipality
• Investment - $150,000, or $100,000 outside the Halifax Regional Municipality
• Experience - three years owning and managing a business (at least one-third ownership), or more than five years as a senior manager
• Language - CLB 5

International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

This route is for recent graduates of a Nova Scotia university or the Nova Scotia Community College. You must have run your own Nova Scotia business for at least one continuous year, own at least 33.33% of it, hold a valid post-graduation work permit, and score at least CLB 7.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador says its EOI system is currently open for both entrepreneur categories.

International Entrepreneur

This category is for experienced business owners or senior managers who start or buy a business in the province, manage it daily, and run it for at least one full year. You’ll need a Net Worth Verification Report from a designated verifier.

International Graduate Entrepreneur

This category is for graduates of Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic who have started or bought a business in the province and actively managed it for at least one full year. You’ll need reports prepared by a licensed Newfoundland and Labrador CPA.

Yukon

Yukon Business Nominee Program

You submit a complete, original signed application in person or by mail. Applicants need at least 65 points on the assessment grid and a language test score of IELTS 6 or TEF Canada 4.

Eligible applicants enter a pool for six months. Yukon invites selected candidates to submit verification documents and a business plan, then holds an exploratory trip and an in-person interview.

Northwest Territories

Business Stream

The process starts with an initial registration and self-assessment. Next comes an exploratory visit, and then a face-to-face interview with Business Stream staff. If staff are satisfied, you’re invited to submit a formal application.

Key minimums include:

• In Yellowknife - $500,000 net worth and $200,000 equity investment
• Outside Yellowknife - $250,000 net worth and $100,000 equity investment
• Ownership - at least 33.3% of the business
• Language - CLB 4 in English, or the equivalent in French

If approved, you sign a two-year Business Performance Agreement with the territory. The Northwest Territories says decisions are final and there’s no appeal process.

Quebec

Quebec runs its own Entrepreneur Program, separate from the provincial nominee system. It has three streams: innovative business, business start-up, and business takeover. Quebec says applications can be submitted at any time for the innovative business and business takeover streams.

For the business start-up stream, Quebec lists these key minimums:

• Net worth - $600,000, or $300,000 if your business has already been running for at least one year
• Investment - $300,000 in the Montreal area, or $150,000 outside it
• Experience - two years of business management in the past five years
• French - spoken French at level 7 or higher on Quebec’s scale
• Ownership - at least 25% of the business

TDOT Immigration doesn’t represent clients in Quebec immigration procedures. If you’re interested in Quebec, look for a consultant recognized by the Quebec government, or a member of the Barreau du Québec or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

Things to Know Before You Apply

• An invitation isn’t approval. Several provinces say clearly that an invitation or a complete application doesn’t guarantee a nomination.
• Nomination isn’t permanent residence. IRCC makes the final decision, including admissibility checks.
• Expect verification costs. Several programs require third-party net worth reports or CPA reviews, which you pay for.
• You’ll be held to your plan. Most programs use a performance agreement, so the business you propose is the business you’ll need to run.
• Rules change often. Check the official provincial or territorial website for the latest status before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the federal Start-up Visa still open?

No. IRCC paused the Start-up Visa Program on June 30, 2026, and isn’t accepting new applications. Applications accepted before that date will still be processed.

Which entrepreneur program has the lowest investment?

Among the programs covered here, Alberta’s Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream has the lowest, at $50,000 in a regional area. Several others list $100,000, including BC’s Regional stream, Alberta’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream, the Northwest Territories outside Yellowknife, and Nova Scotia outside Halifax.

Do I need to visit the province before applying?

Some programs require it. BC’s Regional stream, Alberta’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream, Yukon and the Northwest Territories all include an exploratory visit. BC recommends one for its Base stream too.

Can international graduates use these programs?

Yes. Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador all have streams or pilots for eligible international graduates.

Does a provincial nomination guarantee PR?

No. IRCC makes the final decision on permanent residence.

Before You Apply

Choosing the right entrepreneur program depends on your budget, experience, language scores and where you want to live. Compare the requirements carefully, and check each program’s official page for its current status.

TDOT Immigration can help you compare entrepreneur programs outside Quebec and plan your next steps. Book a consultation with our team.

Sources

1. IRCC - Start-up Visa: Who can apply
2. WelcomeBC - Entrepreneur Immigration
3. WelcomeBC - Invitations to apply
4. Alberta - AAIP application streams
5. Alberta - Rural Entrepreneur Stream: Eligibility
6. Alberta - Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Eligibility
7. Manitoba - Business Investor Stream: Entrepreneur Pathway
8. Manitoba - International Student Entrepreneur Pilot
9. New Brunswick - Business Immigration Stream
10. Nova Scotia - Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur streams
11. Newfoundland and Labrador - International Entrepreneur
12. Newfoundland and Labrador - International Graduate Entrepreneur
13. Yukon - Yukon Business Nominee Program
14. Northwest Territories - Business Stream
15. Quebec - Entrepreneur Program: Innovative business
16. Quebec - Entrepreneur Program: Business start-up conditions
17. Quebec - Entrepreneur Program: Business takeover