The Business Category of the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) is for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario.
Do you want to know your eligibility for the Business Category (OINP) to Canada?
Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options.
The Business Category of the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) is for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario.
Do you want to know your eligibility for the Business Category (OINP) to Canada?
Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options.
The Business Category is a collection of immigration streams offered under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The Business Category offers immigration streams for international entrepreneurs and investors who wish to establish a business in the province.
There are 2 immigration streams offered under this category: the Entrepreneur Stream and the Corporate Stream.
If your application is approved through the streams offered under the Business Category, then you will receive provincial nomination to apply for permanent residency.
Entrepreneur Stream (OINP): The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OES) is offered by the OINP’s Business Category to target international entrepreneurs and investors who want to reside in Ontario.
You will be required to meet the following criteria to qualify for this stream:
Investment Requirement: The investment requirement is different based on the area your business is located in. If your business is located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), then you must have a net worth of at least $800,000 and make a minimum investment of at least $600,000. You will also be required to own at least 1/3rd or 33.33% of the business ownership shares.
If your business is located outside the GTA, then you must have a net worth of at least $400,000 and invest a minimum of $200,000 in the business. The ownership requirements are the same as above.
For businesses in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Digital Communications sector, you will require a net worth of at least $400,000 and invest at least $200,000.
Work Experience: You must have at least 2 years of full-time business ownership and management experience and your position must be critical to business operations.
Business Plan: You must provide a detailed business plan to establish your business in the province. Your business plan must include the potential to create at least 2 employment opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate language proficiency with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 for English or French with an approved language test result.
Intention to Reside: Upon successful completion, you must intend to reside at least 75% of the time during your stay in the province to establish your business.
Business Partner: You can apply with a business partner, however, they will be required to meet the same requirements. You can have only 1 business partner.
The Corporate Stream (OINP) facilitates international established corporations wishing to expand their business operations in Ontario or acquire an existing business in the province.
This stream has been permanently terminated as of July 2019.
After the corporation establishes the business or acquires the intended business, the key staff can qualify for permanent residency. The main applicant is the signing officer of the corporation.
There are certain requirements that the corporation, investment, proposed business and the key staff must meet to qualify for the stream.
Corporate Requirements: The corporation must be established for a period of at least 36 months before applying. The corporation must also have a definite structural relationship with the proposed new business in Ontario. The proposed business must be for-profit and in compliance with the legal and licensing requirements that govern the business.
Corporates must also provide a business plan that specifies the purpose, proposed product or service, operational and financial plan and risk factors associated with the proposed business.
If the corporation is acquiring an existing business, then it must meet the following requirements:
Investment Requirements: The corporation must invest at least $5 million to establish or acquire a business in the province.
The investment must be obtained legally and bring significant benefits to the province. If the proposed business is a land development or leasehold company, then the investment requirement is $10 million and the investment must cover the land and construction costs.
Local Job Creation Requirements: The proposed business must create at least 5 full-time job opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents as per every key staff nominated. Foreign workers hired as seasonal or part-time employees, subcontractors, agency workers or working outside the company’s premises are not eligible to apply for this stream.
Key Staff and Position Requirements: Corporations can request 5 key staff members responsible for establishing the business in the province. The key staff must meet the following criteria:
If they want to be nominated for permanent residency, then they will be required to be in the position approved by the OINP and reside in the province for at least 75% of every year to establish the business. They must also demonstrate language proficiency with a CLB level 5 for English or French.
