Business Immigration Canada

Canada's federal business immigration programs have undergone a significant reset. The Start-Up Visa Program closed to new applications on January 1, 2026, and the Self-Employed Persons Program has been on indefinite pause since April 2024. A new federal entrepreneur pilot is expected to launch later in 2026, but no eligibility criteria or intake dates have been confirmed. For immigrant entrepreneurs who want to move now, Provincial Nominee Program entrepreneur streams are the primary pathway available in Canada today.

This is not a detour — for many business owners, the PNP entrepreneur route was already the more appropriate pathway. Provincial entrepreneur streams are designed for people who want to establish or purchase and actively manage a real business in Canada, contribute to a local economy, and put down roots in a specific province or community. If that describes you, the right program exists. The challenge is identifying which one fits your financial profile, business experience, and preferred location.

At Magellan Immigration, we assess your eligibility across the active PNP entrepreneur streams, identify the best fit for your specific situation, and guide you through the entire process — from registration and business plan preparation through to the Business Performance Agreement, nomination, and Permanent Residence application.

How PNP Entrepreneur Streams Work

PNP entrepreneur immigration is performance-based. Unlike Express Entry or skilled worker streams — where nomination is granted based on your credentials — entrepreneur streams require you to actually establish and operate a qualifying business in Canada before you receive your nomination. The typical process is:

  1. Register your Expression of Interest and receive a score

  2. Receive an Invitation to Apply from the province

  3. Enter into a Business Performance Agreement with the province

  4. Obtain a work permit and establish your business in Canada

  5. Operate the business for the required period, meet the performance benchmarks, and apply for nomination

  6. Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence

Because the nomination comes after you have demonstrated business performance — not before — the stakes at each stage are real. A business that fails to meet the province's performance commitments can result in a nomination being revoked. The business plan, the investment, the location, and the structure all need to be right from the start.

Key Active Streams in 2026

 

BC PNP — Entrepreneur Immigration (Base and Regional) BC's entrepreneur program is among the most active in Canada, with regular draws held throughout the year. The Base stream targets experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish a new or purchase an existing business anywhere in BC, including Metro Vancouver. It requires a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD and a minimum investment of $200,000 CAD. The Regional Pilot offers lower financial thresholds for entrepreneurs willing to operate in communities outside Metro Vancouver — minimum net worth $300,000 CAD and investment $100,000 CAD — and requires a community referral from a participating BC community.

Ontario Ontario's entrepreneur stream is currently not accepting new applications. Entrepreneurs targeting Toronto or other Ontario markets should contact us to discuss alternative pathways.

Alberta Entrepreneur Streams Alberta's entrepreneur streams are active in 2026 and include both a general entrepreneur pathway and a Rural Entrepreneur Stream designed for business owners willing to establish in smaller Alberta communities. The Rural stream has lower investment requirements and has seen strong success rates for well-prepared applicants who complete the community endorsement process. Alberta also has a Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for international graduates of Alberta institutions who want to start or purchase a business in the province.

Other Active Provinces Manitoba, New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic provinces also operate entrepreneur or business streams with varying investment thresholds, net worth requirements, and community endorsement processes. Some offer pathways particularly well-suited for lower-investment business models or specific industries such as agriculture and food production.

The C11 Work Permit — A Federal Bridge

For entrepreneurs who want to establish their business in Canada while their PNP pathway develops, the C11 entrepreneur work permit remains available as an LMIA-exempt federal mechanism. As of February 2026, IRCC has tightened instructions for C11 approvals, requiring demonstrably unique or exceptional benefit to Canada. It is not a direct pathway to Permanent Residence, and self-employed work experience does not count toward Canadian Experience Class eligibility under Express Entry. However, for the right applicant, it provides a legal basis to begin operating in Canada before a provincial nomination is in hand.

What We Do

 

  • Assess your eligibility across active PNP entrepreneur streams based on your financial profile, business experience, and location preferences

  • Identify the strongest provincial stream for your specific situation

  • Advise on business plan requirements and the type of business that meets provincial criteria

  • Prepare your Expression of Interest registration and supporting documentation

  • Guide you through the Business Performance Agreement and performance reporting requirements

  • Assess C11 work permit eligibility where applicable

  • Prepare and submit your Permanent Residence application following nomination