Are You Planning to Start, Buy or Grow a Business in Canada?

Canada continues to offer immigration opportunities for entrepreneurs, business owners and investors. However, the rules have changed significantly in recent years. Some federal programs are currently paused, while available options depend on the province, the applicant’s experience, financial circumstances and proposed business.

There is no single Canadian immigration program where simply investing money automatically results in immigration status.

A suitable pathway may depend on:

• your business ownership or management experience;
• the amount and documented source of your assets;
• the amount you intend to invest;
• the province where you plan to operate the business;
• the nature and viability of the proposed business;
• language ability;
• education;
• age;
• family circumstances;
• previous immigration history;
• requirements of the specific immigration program.

Planning to Invest in or Buy a Canadian Business?

First determine whether your immigration strategy meets the requirements of a currently available program.

Buying the wrong business or choosing an unsuitable immigration pathway may result in significant financial expenses without achieving your immigration objective.

BUTTON: REVIEW MY OPTIONS

Professional consultation. Eligibility and a positive immigration decision are not guaranteed. Final decisions are made exclusively by the appropriate Canadian government authorities.

What Business Immigration Programs Are Available in Canada in 2026?

Information reviewed and updated: August 12, 2026

Business immigration opportunities currently need to be considered primarily through provincial programs, Québec business immigration programs and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

Requirements vary significantly between programs and may include:

• minimum business-management experience;
• minimum personal net worth;
• evidence of the legal source of funds;
• investment in a Canadian business;
• establishing or purchasing a business;
• active management of the company;
• job creation;
• residence in the selected province;
• language requirements;
• other program-specific criteria.

Provincial Entrepreneur Immigration Programs

Some Canadian provinces continue to operate entrepreneur streams within their immigration programs.

For example, British Columbia continues to operate Entrepreneur Immigration, including Base and Regional streams.

Program requirements differ significantly.

A program that is suitable for one business owner may not be suitable for another — even if both applicants have the same amount of available capital.

The appropriate program should therefore be selected based on the applicant’s complete circumstances, not simply the amount they are prepared to invest.

Business Immigration to Québec

Québec has its own immigration system and separate programs for business applicants.

Depending on the circumstances, options may exist for:

• entrepreneurs;
• investors;
• self-employed workers;
• establishing a new business;
• acquiring an existing business;
• innovative business projects.

Québec Entrepreneur Program

Québec provides separate pathways involving new businesses, innovative projects and business acquisition.

Depending on the specific stream, requirements may include management experience, minimum net worth, proof of the lawful source of funds and qualifying business expenditures.

Québec Investor Immigration Program

As of August 2026, the Québec Investor Program remains available to applicants who satisfy its requirements.

Major requirements may include:

• qualifying management experience;
• the required amount of legally acquired net worth;
• a CAD $1,000,000 investment for five years through an authorized financial intermediary;
• a CAD $200,000 financial contribution;
• compliance with other program requirements;
• compliance with Québec residence and stay requirements.

Important: Having the required amount of capital does not by itself mean that an applicant meets all program requirements.

Is the Start-Up Visa Program Open in Canada in 2026?

The Federal Start-Up Visa Program Is Paused for New Applications

The Start-Up Visa Program was paused for new standard applications on June 30, 2026.

IRCC continues to process applications that were accepted in accordance with the applicable rules before the intake was closed.

Information found online stating:

“Get a Start-Up Visa — the program is open to all entrepreneurs”

may therefore be outdated.

Applicants who submitted a Start-Up Visa application before the applicable deadline should have their circumstances reviewed separately.

What Is Happening With the Federal Self-Employed Persons Program?

The federal Self-Employed Persons Program is also paused for new applications.

IRCC stopped accepting new applications on April 30, 2024, and the pause has subsequently been extended until further notice.

Québec, however, operates a separate Self-Employed Worker Program under its own immigration rules.

Can I Get Immigration Status Simply by Buying a Business in Canada?

No. Buying a Business Does Not Automatically Provide Permanent Residence

Purchasing a Canadian company, incorporating a business or investing money in a Canadian business does not by itself provide permanent residence or guarantee a work permit.

The immigration strategy and the commercial transaction should be assessed separately.

Depending on the immigration program, authorities may consider:

• management experience;
• previous business experience;
• ownership structure;
• net worth;
• source of funds;
• the applicant’s role in the Canadian business;
• amount of investment;
• economic viability of the proposed business;
• job creation;
• business plan;
• location of the business;
• language ability;
• intention to actually reside in the relevant province.

Do Not Buy a Business Simply Because Someone Says It Is “Good for Immigration”

First determine:

whether your personal circumstances and the proposed transaction actually meet the requirements of an applicable immigration program.

BUTTON: REVIEW MY CASE BEFORE BUYING A BUSINESS

Why Is It Important to Review Your Documents Before Applying?

Business immigration applications may require extensive financial, corporate and immigration documentation.

Immigration authorities may compare information contained in:

• application forms;
• tax documents;
• banking records;
• corporate documentation;
• business ownership records;
• employment history;
• business plans;
• source-of-funds documentation;
• previous visa and immigration applications.

Even an Inconsistency Can Create a Problem

Not every mistake automatically results in refusal.

However, depending on the nature of the issue:

• an application may be returned;
• processing may be delayed;
• additional documents or explanations may be requested;
• inconsistencies may affect the assessment;
• missing mandatory documents may prevent an application from being processed.

Particular care should be taken to ensure that all information provided is accurate and supportable.

In Immigration Matters, It Is Important Not Only What You State — but Whether You Can Prove It With Documents

Professional review before submission can help identify potential issues before information becomes part of the immigration record.

What Do We Review Before an Application Is Submitted?

Depending on the program and applicant’s circumstances, the review may include:

• business ownership experience;
• management experience;
• corporate structures;
• source and accumulation of assets;
• banking transactions;
• tax documentation;
• business plan;
• proposed investments;
• acquisition of an existing business;
• employment history;
• family information;
• travel history;
• previous visa applications;
• previous refusals;
• consistency between documents;
• requirements of the selected province or immigration program.

The objective is to identify potential issues before submission — not after questions are raised by immigration authorities.

How Does the Process Work?

1. Review of Your Circumstances

We review your objective, business ownership or management experience, financial circumstances, preferred province and other relevant factors.

2. Identification of Potential Programs

If potentially relevant options exist, we explain currently available immigration programs, their main requirements and important limitations.

3. Risk and Documentation Review

We identify matters that may require additional documents, explanations or changes to the original strategy.

4. Application Preparation and Representation

If you decide to retain professional immigration services, the scope of work, fees and payment terms are set out in a written agreement.

5. Government Processing

After submission, the application is assessed by the relevant federal, provincial or Québec immigration authorities.

Only the appropriate Canadian government authority makes the final decision on an immigration application.

Is Business Immigration to Canada Right for You?

This question cannot be reliably answered based only on the amount of money available for investment.

For example, two applicants may each have CAD $1,000,000 but receive very different preliminary assessments because of differences in:

• business experience;
• source of funds;
• corporate structure;
• language ability;
• age;
• selected province;
• family circumstances;
• proposed business;
• previous immigration history.

Therefore, the first question should not be:

“How much do I need to invest?”

It should be:

“Which currently available immigration program may be suitable for my circumstances?”

Review Your Options Before Making Major Financial Decisions

If you are considering:

starting a business in Canada, purchasing an existing company, investing or using an entrepreneur immigration pathway — review your immigration strategy first.

Identifying a potential issue before submitting an application or purchasing a business is generally much more practical than trying to resolve it after funds have already been invested or an immigration application has already been submitted.

Get a Professional Review of Your Situation

We can review your circumstances and explain which currently available options may be relevant to your case.