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: August 18, 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 Program has been paused since June 30, 2026 and IRCC is not accepting new permanent residence applications; applications accepted before the pause continue to be processed. The Self-Employed Persons Program is also paused. Provincial entrepreneur streams remain the main area to assess, but their status varies sharply by province.

1. The federal picture in 2026

IRCC paused the Start-Up Visa Program on June 30, 2026 and is not accepting new permanent residence applications. IRCC will continue processing applications accepted before the pause. The Self-Employed Persons Program, which is for certain cultural and athletic applicants rather than general entrepreneurs, also remains paused and is only processing existing applications. IRCC’s 2026–27 Departmental Plan says the department intends to create a new high-impact Start-up Visa pilot, but eligibility criteria and launch details have not been published, so it is not a current application route.

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. Common evidence areas in business-immigration files

Across many business-immigration routes, applicants may need to document matters such as source of funds, a credible business plan or concept, and the staged requirements of the specific program. The exact eligibility criteria, evidence and decision process depend on the route. Many provincial entrepreneur routes are staged. For example, current British Columbia and Manitoba entrepreneur processes can involve a work permit, business establishment and performance requirements before provincial nomination. The exact sequence depends on the program. A work permit 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, the immigration and accounting perspectives can help keep eligibility analysis, financial evidence and business-plan assumptions internally consistent with the applicable program requirements.

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 entrepreneur and business pathway resources

These pages cover entrepreneur and business pathways across Canada. Status and intake vary sharply: some routes are active, some are invitation-limited, and some have been consolidated or closed, so confirm the current status on the linked 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 (consolidated under 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 (closed to new applications)
• 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 social, cultural or economic benefit, or job creation for Canadians or permanent residents. 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.