Residence in CanadaOverview
Canada has never offered a federal residence route based purely on passive investment since the Immigrant Investor Program was terminated in 2014. Business immigration has instead relied on active routes: the federal Start-up Visa for founders backed by designated venture capital funds, angel investor groups or business incubators; the federal Self-employed Persons Program; and entrepreneur streams run by the provinces and territories under the Provincial Nominee Program.
Those federal routes have now been substantially curtailed. In a notice published on 19 December 2025, IRCC stopped accepting applications for the optional Start-up Visa work permit (other than extensions for applicants already in Canada) and announced that new Start-up Visa applications would close on 31 December 2025, except for applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate. That final window ended on 30 June 2026, and the programme is now shown by IRCC as paused, with applications received before the cut-off continuing to be processed and in-Canada work permit holders prioritised for permanent residence within Levels Plan targets. The Self-employed Persons Program pause was extended until further notice.
IRCC has stated that the Start-up Visa and related programmes will be replaced by a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs, with details to be communicated in 2026, in support of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan and the reduction of business immigration backlogs. As at October 2026 no application intake for that pilot has opened. Founders who were planning a Start-up Visa application should therefore prepare evidence and investor relationships, but should not assume that former criteria will carry over.
For established business owners, the active routes are provincial. British Columbia's Entrepreneur Immigration Base stream, for example, requires personal net worth of at least CAD 600,000 and an eligible investment of at least CAD 200,000, while its Regional stream requires CAD 300,000 and CAD 100,000 respectively. Provincial streams typically involve a registration or expression of interest, a temporary work permit while the business is established under a performance agreement, and a provincial nomination for permanent residence once commitments are met. Provinces adjust or close streams regularly; Ontario, for example, has withdrawn its Entrepreneur Stream, and Quebec operates its own separate business selection rules.
Key benefits
- Permanent residence for the whole family once nomination and federal approval are obtained
- Provincial streams reward genuine business investment and job creation rather than passive capital
- Applicants with Start-up Visa files lodged before the cut-off retain processing, with priority for in-Canada work permit holders
- Access to public healthcare and education for permanent residents and their children
- A pathway to Canadian citizenship after meeting the physical presence requirement
- Free movement across provinces once permanent residence is granted, subject to the good-faith intent of provincial nomination
Requirements
- Start-up Visa: new applications are no longer accepted; pending files must have been submitted by 30 June 2026
- Provincial entrepreneur streams: minimum personal net worth and eligible business investment set by each province
- Business management or ownership experience, as defined by the relevant provincial stream
- A viable business plan and, typically, a signed performance agreement covering investment and job creation
- Language ability where required (the Start-up Visa required Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in all four skills)
- Proof of lawfully obtained funds; borrowed funds generally do not count towards net worth or settlement funds
- Medical examinations, police certificates and biometrics for all family members
- Genuine intention to reside in the nominating province
Investment options
Provincial entrepreneur streams
e.g. BC Base: CAD 200,000 investment / CAD 600,000 net worth
Province-led routes in which the applicant establishes or acquires and actively manages a business, first on a work permit and then through provincial nomination for permanent residence.
BC Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional stream
CAD 100,000 investment / CAD 300,000 net worth
For entrepreneurs establishing a business in participating smaller communities in British Columbia, with lower financial thresholds than the Base stream.
Federal entrepreneur pilot (announced)
IRCC has announced a new targeted pilot to replace the Start-up Visa and related programmes. Criteria and intake have not been published as at October 2026.
Start-up Visa (paused)
Closed to new applications. Applications submitted by the 30 June 2026 deadline with a valid commitment certificate continue to be processed.
Self-employed Persons Program (paused)
Not accepting new applications; IRCC has extended the pause until further notice.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Eligibility and route mapping
We assess net worth, business background and family needs against currently open provincial streams and the status of federal programmes.
- 2
Source-of-funds and net-worth verification
We prepare the documentation that provinces require to verify net worth and lawful accumulation of funds, often through a designated verification provider.
- 3
Exploratory visit and business plan
Where useful, the client visits the province, identifies the business opportunity and prepares a business plan meeting stream criteria.
- 4
Registration and application
We manage the expression of interest or registration, the provincial application and the performance agreement.
- 5
Work permit and business establishment
The entrepreneur obtains a work permit, makes the investment, creates the required jobs and reports to the province.
- 6
Nomination and permanent residence
After meeting the performance agreement, the province issues a nomination and the family applies to IRCC for permanent residence.
Typical documents
- Valid passports for all family members
- Net-worth verification report and supporting asset statements
- Source-of-funds evidence: tax returns, company accounts, sale and inheritance documents
- Business plan and evidence of business ownership or management experience
- Language test results where required
- Police certificates from countries of residence
- Immigration medical examinations
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependants
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth gives clients an accurate reading of Canada's business immigration landscape, distinguishing closed, paused and active routes. We help entrepreneurs select a provincial stream that matches a real business plan, prepare net-worth and source-of-funds evidence to the standard provinces expect, coordinate company formation and banking, and work with licensed Canadian immigration practitioners for filings. We also monitor announcements on the new federal entrepreneur pilot and align a Canadian move with tax residency, structuring and succession planning. Contact us at info@legalwealthglobal.com.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Can I still apply for the Canadian Start-up Visa?
No. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-up Visa applications, with a final window to 30 June 2026 for holders of 2025 commitment certificates. The programme is now listed as paused.
What will replace the Start-up Visa?
IRCC announced in December 2025 that a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs would replace the Start-up Visa and related programmes, with details to follow in 2026. Its criteria have not been published as at October 2026.
Does Canada have an investor visa?
There is no federal passive investor programme; it was terminated in 2014. Business immigration now relies on active ownership and management, mainly through provincial entrepreneur streams.
What does a provincial entrepreneur stream require?
Requirements vary by province. British Columbia's Base stream, for example, requires CAD 600,000 in personal net worth and an eligible investment of at least CAD 200,000 in a business the applicant actively manages.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 can generally be included in the permanent residence application and may accompany the principal on work and study permits.
How long until Canadian citizenship?
Permanent residents may apply for citizenship after being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before applying, subject to tax filing, language and knowledge requirements.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
