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.

Written and reviewed by Usman Khalil, RCIC (R709592), a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Last reviewed: June 2026.

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.

1. 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.

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.