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Business Immigration to Canada
Licensed RCIC and CPA guidance on Canada’s federal and provincial business immigration options in 2026, current program status, thresholds, and how to plan a defensible application.
Business immigration to Canada is not a single program and it is not a way to buy permanent residence. It is a set of federal and provincial routes, each with its own eligibility rules, current status, and staged process that usually starts with a work permit. This page explains the routes realistically available in 2026 and where a licensed RCIC working with a CPA adds the most value.
Status in 2026: The federal Start-Up Visa is paused (closed to new applicants except holders of a valid 2025 commitment, deadline June 30, 2026), and the Self-Employed Persons Program is paused. Provincial entrepreneur streams are the main area to assess, but their status varies sharply by province.
Not sure which route is active for your profile? Book a paid business-immigration consultation. Not sure where you stand? Start with the free assessment.
Book a ConsultationStart Your Free AssessmentTable of Contents
1. The federal picture in 20262. Provincial entrepreneur streams3. What decides most business applications4. Why an RCIC and a CPA together5. How MAK helps1. The federal picture in 2026
As of January 1, 2026 the Start-Up Visa is paused: it is closed to all applications except applicants who already hold a valid 2025 commitment from a designated organization, who must apply by June 30, 2026. The Self-Employed Persons Program, which is for certain cultural and athletic applicants rather than general entrepreneurs, is also paused and is only processing existing applications, so it should not be treated as an active general business immigration route. A new federal entrepreneur pilot has been signalled for 2026, but it is not open and should be treated as expected rather than available.
2. Provincial entrepreneur streams
Provincial entrepreneur streams are the main area to assess in 2026, but their status varies sharply by province. Some are open and competitive, some are invitation only and discretionary, and some are not currently holding draws. Presenting any of these as open to everyone would be inaccurate, which is why each of our provincial pages carries a current status line.
| Pathway | Current status (2026) | Best for | Business / investment factor | Work permit first? | PR / nomination stage | Main risk | MAK next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start-Up Visa (federal) | Paused; closed to new (valid 2025 commitment only, deadline June 30, 2026) | Scalable startups with a designated-org commitment | Designated org commitment (VC $200,000 / angel $75,000 / incubator) | Optional WP closed to new applicants | Federal PR application (commitment is not a guarantee) | Treating a commitment as guaranteed PR | Review existing commitment and deadline |
| Self-Employed Persons (federal) | Paused (backlog only) | Cultural / athletic self-employed | No set investment | No | Federal PR application; no provincial nomination stage | Assuming it is open | Confirm whether you fall in the narrow category |
| Provincial entrepreneur streams | Mixed: some open-competitive, some invitation-only, some not drawing | Hands-on owner-operators ready to relocate | Province-specific net worth and investment thresholds | Yes, in most streams | Establish business then nomination then PR | Choosing a paused or closed stream | Match your profile to an active stream |
| New federal entrepreneur pilot | Signalled, not yet open | Future applicants | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | Relying on an unlaunched program | Monitor and prepare in advance |
3. What decides most business applications
Across almost every business route, three things decide whether an application is credible. The first is source of funds, since officers expect a clear, documented, legally obtained money trail. The second is the business plan and concept, which must be realistic for the province and market. The third is the staged nature of the process: in most streams you first obtain a temporary work permit, move to the province, actively manage and establish the business, and only then become eligible to be considered for a nomination. The work permit stage is not permanent residence.
4. Why an RCIC and a CPA together
The licensed consultant confirms which stream, if any, currently fits your profile, manages the immigration filing, and keeps the file compliant. The CPA side supports the source of funds documentation, the financial portions of the business plan, and the net worth verification that several provinces require through designated accounting firms. Used together, they reduce the avoidable mistakes that lead to refusals.
5. How MAK helps
We start with an honest assessment of your profile against the streams that are actually active right now, followed by a realistic plan for funds and business establishment, before any application is filed.
Other active entrepreneur and business streams
Beyond the main provincial streams above, these entrepreneur and business routes are currently active in 2026. Status and intake vary by province and territory, so check each page before you act.
- BC Entrepreneur Immigration: Regional
- BC Entrepreneur Immigration: Strategic Projects
- Alberta Farm Stream (AAIP)
- Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (AAIP)
- Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (AAIP)
- Manitoba International Student Entrepreneur Pilot (ISEP)
- Manitoba Farm Investor Pathway (MPNP)
- Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Newfoundland and Labrador International Graduate Entrepreneur
- Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
- Northwest Territories Business Stream (NTNP)
Closed, paused, or status pages
These programs are not currently active routes. The pages are kept as resources so you can confirm their status and find active alternatives.
- Start-Up Visa Canada (paused)
- Self-Employed Persons Program, Federal (paused)
- Ontario Entrepreneur Stream, OINP (not accepting)
- Saskatchewan Entrepreneur and Farm (check current SINP status)
- New Brunswick Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial (status)
C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit
The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit is a temporary, LMIA-exempt federal work permit for eligible business owners who can show a significant benefit to Canada. It lets you come to Canada to run your own business, but it is a temporary work permit, not permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Funding and source of funds: Business programs care less about how much money you have and more about whether you can prove it is legally yours. See our guide to Source of Funds for Business Immigration.
Weighing a temporary work permit against a provincial nomination route? See our comparison of C11 vs PNP Entrepreneur.
A credible business case matters as much as the funds. See our guide to the business plan for Canadian immigration.
Can I get permanent residence by investing in Canada?
No. Investment is one eligibility factor in some streams, not a purchase of status. Each route has its own rules and most require you to establish and operate a business first.
Is the Start-Up Visa open in 2026?
It is paused and closed to new applicants except those who already hold a valid 2025 commitment from a designated organization, who must apply by June 30, 2026.
Is the Self-Employed Persons Program accepting applications?
No. It is paused and only existing applications are being processed.
Which business routes should I assess in 2026?
Provincial entrepreneur streams are the main area to assess, but status varies sharply by province. Some are open and competitive, some are invitation only, and some are not currently drawing.
Why work with an RCIC and a CPA together?
The RCIC manages eligibility and the immigration filing; the CPA supports source of funds, financial planning and the net worth verification several provinces require.
What is the C11 work permit?
The C11 is a temporary federal work permit issued under the International Mobility Program without an LMIA, under R205(a) significant benefit. It lets an eligible owner who controls at least 51% of a genuine Canadian business operate it temporarily. It is not permanent residence.
Does the C11 work permit lead to permanent residence?
No. The C11 is temporary and does not grant or guarantee permanent residence, and time self-employed on a C11 does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class. Permanent residence is a separate application under a different program.
What is a provincial entrepreneur stream?
It is a province-run route where you build and operate a business in that province. If you meet the province’s requirements it may nominate you, and a nomination supports a separate federal permanent residence application. A nomination is not permanent residence by itself.
How much money do I need for business immigration?
There is no single Canada-wide amount. The C11 has no fixed minimum, and each provincial entrepreneur stream sets its own net-worth and investment requirements. What matters most is proving the money is legally yours. See our source of funds guide.
- Business Immigration Consultant – Canada
Usman Khalil
CPA, RCIC | MAK Immigration
Work with a Chartered Professional Accountant + licensed RCIC for business immigration to Canada.
Usman Khalil helps entrepreneurs and investors with business immigration planning, provincial entrepreneur pathways, business plans, source-of-funds documentation, and compliance strategy.
Member CICC Membership # R709592
CPA – Chartered Professional Accountant (Ontario) Membership # C83028834
- Business Immigration Consultant – Canada
Usman Khalil
CPA, RCIC | MAK Immigration
Work with a Chartered Professional Accountant + licensed RCIC for business immigration to Canada.
Member CICC Membership # R709592
Chartered Professional Accountant Membership # C83028834
