Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OE)
Selection
- P.N.P: Provincial Nominee Programs
- E.O.I: Expression of Interest
- P.S: Point System
Applicant
Visa
- Permanent Resident
- |
- Work
Status
- Paused
Entrepreneur Stream applications suspended
At this time, the Entrepreneur Stream of the OINP is not accepting applications. If you have received an invitation to apply to the stream but have not yet done so, or for any other inquiries about OINP business immigration, email business.immigration@ontario.ca
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ON-SB
SUMMARY
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
This program is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in Ontario. They must start a new business or buy an existing business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business.
Approved applicants must operate a business in Ontario on a Work Permit (WP) for at least ten (10) months before being nominated for permanent resident status in Canada.
You may partner with a foreign national businessperson, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident businessperson. For the purposes of your application to the Entrepreneur Stream, only one foreign national business partner is permitted. Your foreign national business partner must also meet all the minimum requirements.
Application to the stream is by invitation only. You (and your foreign business partner, if applicable) should first complete the online Expression of Interest (EOI). Selected applicants will be invited to apply for the program based on the information they enter online. You cannot apply directly to this program unless you are invited to apply.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements must be met by you (and your foreign business partner, if applicable) if you are applying to Ontario Entrepreneur Stream:
1- Business Experience
You must have at least two (2) years of full-time business experience in the last five (5) years.
Your experience must be as one of the following:
- Business Owner: You must have owned at least one third (33.33%) of the business during the period you will claim as the length of your experience. You must demonstrate that your role was an active role, meaning that you were personally involved in the day-to-day operations of the business and had direct involvement in decision-making.
- Senior Manager: Your role must have included senior decision-making responsibilities in areas such as Operations, Sales, Finance, Marketing, Distribution, Human Resources, Research and Development, etc. You must have managed the day-to-day operations of the business in whole or in part.
2- Net Worth
If you intend to start or buy your business in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you must have net worth of at least $800,000 CAD.
If you intend to start or buy your business outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you must have net worth of at least $400,000 CAD.
If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CAD.
3- Ineligibility
You are not eligible to apply under the Ontario Entrepreneur Stream if you are a refugee claimant in Canada, a failed refugee claimant, had a removal order, are prohibited from entering or being in Canada, do not have status in Canada or are living illegally in your country of residence.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
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ONTARIO BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify as an eligible business under the Entrepreneur program, you must have an intention to buy or establish a business in Ontario that meets the following criteria:
1- Business Investment
You must invest a minimum of $600,000 CAD into starting or buying a business within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA); or a minimum of $200,000 CAD into starting or buying a business outside the GTA.
If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must have a minimum net worth of $200,000 CAD.
2- Business Ownership
You must own at least one third (33.33%) of the equity of a business in Ontario.
3- Type of Business
The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services.
The following types of businesses are not eligible under Ontario Entrepreneur Stream:
- automated car wash business
- holding companies
- laundromats
- pawnbrokers
- pay day loan and related businesses
- scrap metal recycling
- tire recycling
- a business involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
- businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees
If your proposed business will be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the following types are also ineligible.
- existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
- gas stations
- bed and breakfasts
4- Job Creation
You must create at least two (2) permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, if the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
You must create at least one (1) permanent full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, if the business will be located inside the GTA.
If your proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector then regardless of location, you must create at least one (1) permanent full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
5- Active Management
You must provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business at the business site.
CALCULATE YOUR SCORE
If you (and your foreign business partner, if applicable) meet all above minimum requirement, then calculate or estimate your total score based on the following selection factors.
There is no minimum required score. Candidates will be ranked against each other and only top ranked candidates will be invited to apply. A draw will occur with only the top ranked candidates being selected and issued an invitation to apply.
If you are applying with a foreign national business partner, your final score will be calculated using the lowest submitted score between the two.
The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream selection factors may be summarized as follows (➨immilib.com/OE-Grid):
| Selection Factor | Maximum Points | ||||
| Human Capital Factors: | |||||
| Factor 1: Business Experience | 25 | ||||
| Factor 2: Past Specific Experience | 35 | ||||
| Factor 3: Education | 10 | ||||
| Factor 4: Language | 10 | ||||
| Investment Factors: | |||||
| Factor 5: Net Worth | 15 | ||||
| Factor 6: Investment Amount | 25 | ||||
| Factor 7: Business-Related Visits | 6 | ||||
| Business Concept: | |||||
| Factor 8: Business Model | 50 | ||||
| Factor 9: Business Location | 10 | ||||
| Factor 10: Job Creation | 14 | ||||
| Maximum Points Total | 200 | ||||
| Selection Pass Mark | Varies * | ||||
| * For latest draws go to (➨immilib.com/OE-Draws) | |||||
Human Capital Factors:
Factor 1: Business Experience
You may claim points based on your business experience. The number of points is based on your past business ownership experience OR senior management experience in the last five (5) years.
| Business Experience | Points |
| Five (5) years or more | 25 |
| Four (4) years | 19 |
| Two (2) – Three (3) years | 13 |
| Less than two (2) years | Not Eligible |
Factor 2: Past Specific Experience
You may claim additional points based on your past specific experience if this experience was gained within the last five (5) years:
- In a high growth business,
- in an export-trade business
- for transferable skills
| Past Specific Experience | Points |
| Three (3) specific experiences | 35 |
| Two (2) specific experiences | 25 |
| One (1) specific experience | 15 |
| No specific experience | Not Eligible |
Factor 3: Education
You will be awarded points for your Canadian educational credential or foreign credential accompanied by Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report (➨Appendix 3).
| Level of Education | Points |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma – three-year program or longer | 10 |
| Post-secondary degree or diploma – two-year program | 5 |
| No post-secondary education | 0 |
The ECA Report must not be more than five (5) years old prior to the date the EOI is submitted.
Factor 4: Language
You may claim points based on your proficiency in English or French. To be awarded point for language, you must have taken an approved test results (➨Appendix 5).
Test must be taken no more than two (2) years prior to the date the EOI is submitted.
| Level of Education | Points |
| CLB 5 or higher | 10 |
| CLB 4 | 5 |
| CLB 3 | 0 |
To prove you language abilities you must take any of the following approved tests:
- English: IELTS General or CELPIP General or PTE Core
- French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada
Investment factors:
Factor 5: Net Worth
You’ll get points for your (and your spouse’s) unencumbered net business and personal assets.
If your proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
| Net Worth | Points |
| $2,500,000 CAD or more | 10 |
| $800,000 CAD to $2,499,999 CAD | 5 |
| Less than $800,000 | Not Eligible |
If your proposed business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), OR if your proposed business will be in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector (regardless of location):
| Net Worth | Points |
| $1,000,000 CAD or more | 15 |
| $400,000 CAD to $999,999 CAD | 10 |
| Less than $400,000 | Not Eligible |
Factor 6: Investment Amount
You may claim points based on the total personal investment amount that will be made into your proposed business.
If your proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
| Investment Amount | Points |
| $3,000,000 CAD or more | 20 |
| $1,500,000 CAD to $2,999,999 CAD | 15 |
| $600,000 CAD to $1,499,999 CAD | 10 |
| Less than $600,000 | Not Eligible |
If your proposed business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), OR if your proposed business will be in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector (regardless of location):
| Investment Amount | Points |
| $800,000 CAD or more | 25 |
| $500,000 CAD to $799,999 CAD | 20 |
| $200,000 CAD to $499,999 CAD | 15 |
| Less than $200,000 | Not Eligible |
Factor 7: Business-Related Visits
You may claim points based on any business-related visits to Ontario within the last year from the date that you register your EOI. If you have purchased or are purchasing an existing business, you must make a business-related visit to be considered for the Entrepreneur Stream.
| Business-Related Visits | Points |
| Yes | 6 |
| No | 0 |
Business Concept factors:
The business concept factors give you points based on your proposed business plan.
You will need to score at least 37 points out of 74 points in this category to be placed in the EOI selection pool.
Factor 8: Business Model
Description of proposed business: You will be awarded points based on how your proposed business will generate revenue and profit, and how the business will be viable and have the potential for sustained commercial success under your management.
| Description of Proposed Business | Points |
| Good | 15 |
| Fair | 7 |
| Unsatisfactory / Unclear | 0 |
Market Research: You will be awarded points based on how your proposed business will generate revenue and profit, and how the business will be viable and have the potential for sustained commercial success under your management.
| Market Research | Points |
| Good | 15 |
| Fair | 7 |
| Unsatisfactory / Unclear | 0 |
Key Sector and Significant Benefit: You will be awarded points based on how your business will generate significant economic benefit to Ontario. You may also claim points depending on whether your business is in a targeted key sector determined by the Ontario government.
| Key Sector and Economic Benefit | Points |
| Good | 10 |
| Fair | 5 |
| Unsatisfactory / Unclear | 0 |
Investment Allocation: You will be awarded points based on how you intend to allocate your capital investment to grow and expand the proposed business.
| Investment Allocation | Points |
| Good | 10 |
| Fair | 5 |
| Unsatisfactory / Unclear | 0 |
Factor 9: Business Location
You may claim points based on your proposed business location.
| Business location | Points |
| Location with a population of 100,000 or below | 10 |
| Location with a population greater than 100,000 but less than 175,000 | 5 |
| Location with a population of 175,000 or more | 0 |
Factor 10: Job Creation
You may claim points based on the total number of permanent full-time jobs you will create for Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the first 20 months of establishing your business.
| Job creation | Points |
| 5 or more jobs | 7 |
| 3-4 jobs | 5 |
| 1 for outside GTA or ICT/Digital Communications sector 2 for inside GTA | 3 |
| Creation of NOC 0, A or B jobs | Points |
| 2 or more | 7 |
| 1 | 5 |
| 0 | 0 |
| Your Total Score |
You may compare your score with previous rounds of invitations to see how likely you are to get an invitation in the next round. The previous rounds of invitation are being regularly posted at (➨immilib.com/OE-Draws).
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WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?
If you meet all the requirements and if you believe you are likely to be invited based on your score, you can start the process to apply under Ontario Entrepreneur Stream.
Step 1: Exploratory Visit
The exploratory visit is mandatory for persons purchasing an existing business. If you are starting a new business, the exploratory visit is not mandatory, but recommended.
You (and your foreign business partner, if applicable) must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the last twelve (12) months from the date of registering an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you purchase or are planning to purchase an existing business.
You must to visit Ontario before registering an EOI to learn about potential business opportunities and to get a better understanding of the local business environment.
You must prepare a detailed report of your whole exploratory visit. Your report on the visit must cover the entire length of your stay in Canada, including time spent in other provinces, if any. The information required must be submitted as part of your Business Establishment Plan, including any relevant documents.
Details must include:
Length of your stay.
The name of the professional business service providers or settlement organizations visited during your trip, including mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and emails.
A description of the activity and/or meeting and how it relates to the applicant’s business establishment or settlement.
Copies of all airline tickets, boarding passes and hotel receipts during your entire stay in Canada.
Copies of business cards collected from relevant contact and business service providers contacted during your visit.
Details of visit to existing business location and meetings with current owners if you are planning to purchase an existing business. You should include the business name, location and the current owner’s names and contact details.
To find out how you can travel to Canada for a temporary visit, see (➨Page).
Step 2: Complete the online Expression of Interest (EOI)
Now that you meet all the requirements, you can complete an online Expression of Interest for yourself (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable).
For the Entrepreneur Stream, the online EOI is currently unavailable, as updates are being made to the system.
In the interim, the EOI process will take place outside of the OINP e-Filing Portal (➨immilib.com/O-Portal).
To register your EOI, please follow the below steps:
- Contact the OINP by email (business.immigration@ontario.ca) to express your interest in participating in the Entrepreneur stream and to request a copy of the EOI registration form
- once received, complete the EOI registration form
- submit the completed form by email to business.immigration@ontario.ca
The OINP will then assess and score your business concept. If you do not meet the minimum stream criteria, your business concept will not be reviewed.
You will receive an email with your total EOI score.
After you have successfully submitted your EOI registration, you will receive an email confirming receipt. Your EOI registration date is also the day that the EOI is entered in the selection pool for a period of twelve (12) months.
|
Recent Draws – Ontario Entrepreneur Stream |
||
| Date of Draw | No. of NOI | Min. Score |
| Sep 25, 2023 | 10 | 136 |
| Jul 28, 2023 | 11 | 134 |
| May 12, 2023 | 14 | 135 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | 13 | 139 |
| Jan 27, 2023 | 10 | 137 |
| Dec 22, 2022 | 14 | 140 |
| Aug 16, 2022 | 30 | 138 |
| Jul 15, 2022 | 33 | 146 |
| Mar 4, 2022 | 21 | 152 |
|
Updates and Complete list of previous Draws available at: immilib.com/OE-Draws |
||
Once you have registered your EOI, you cannot make changes to the EOI; however, you may withdraw your EOI registration and resubmit it with the updated information.
If you are applying with a foreign national business partner, your EOI registration will only be complete once both parties have registered an EOI. The date that both parties have completed their EOI registration is also the date that the joint EOI is entered into the selection pool for a period of twelve (12) months. EOIs will be ranked against each other and only top ranked candidates will be invited to apply. A draw will occur with only the top ranked EOIs being selected and issued an invitation to apply.
If your EOI is selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) letter. Selection is based on nominee program targets and an assessment of your EOI.
You have 90 calendar days to submit your online application from the date of your invitation to apply.
If you’re not invited to apply within twelve (12) months of submitting your EOI, it will automatically expire and removed from the system. You can still create a new EOI. If you are able to acquire additional points after submitting your EOI, you will need to submit a new EOI.
Step 3: Prepare Documents
In addition to the applications forms and supporting documents, before submission of complete application, you need to obtain a Business Establishment Plan and a Net Worth Verification Report.
Business Establishment Plan
You will need to submit a Business Establishment Plan as part of your application. You must submit a business plan that demonstrates that the business will be viable and likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of Ontario as a whole or to the local economy where the business will be located.
Your business plan will be reviewed to ensure that it meets program requirements and the commitments made in your EOI. Thus, this document should be drafted as an essential component of your application.
Net Worth Verification Report
As part of your application, you must provide a Net Worth Verification Report. This report must be prepared by one of designated Net Worth Verifiers. These verifiers are experts in assessing net worth and legal accumulation of net worth.
Please ensure that you hire a vendor as soon as possible once you have been invited to apply in order to meet the 90 day submission deadline.
| List of Ontario Designated Net Worth Verifiers | ||
|
Grant Thornton LLP 200 King Street West, 11th floor, Toronto, Ontario (416) 369-6401 |
KPMG-LLP 4600 – 333 Bay St Bay Adelaide Centre Toronto ON M5H 2S5 (416) 777-3887 |
MNP-LLP 300 – 111 Richmond Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2G4 (647) 775-1773 |
Step 4: Submit Application to OINP
If you’ve received an invitation to apply, you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) are expected to pay the application fee by credit card in the OINP e-filing Portal (➨immilib.com/OE-Apply) and submit your application by providing the following:
- Application Forms;
- All supporting documentation;
- A Business Establishment Plan; and
- A Net Worth Verification Report
All supporting documents must be scanned and uploaded in your online application and you need to submit a complete application online in the OINP e-filing Portal.
You will have 90 calendar days from the issuance date of the ITA letter to submit a complete application form; all required supporting documents and a Business Establishment Plan
Please ensure that you hire a Net Worth Verifier as soon as possible once you have been invited to apply in order to meet the 90 day submission deadline.
If you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) submit a complete application, it will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and your EOI point assessment will be verified.
| OINP Application | |
| Submit online application: | |
| immilib.com/OE-Apply | |
| Official Program Guide: | |
| immilib.com/OE-Guide | |
| OINP Application Fee: | |
| Applicant: | $3,500 |
| Foreign business partner: | $3,500 |
| (if applicable) | |
| Processing Time: | |
| immilib.com/ON-PT | |
| Document Checklist: | |
| immilib.com/OE-Doc | |
| Contact: | |
| 416-327-0374 | |
| business.immigration@ontario.ca | |
After assessment of the application is complete, if you appear to meet the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) will be contacted to participate in an in-person interview. You will be required to travel to Ontario to participate in this interview.
To find out how you can travel to Canada for a temporary visit, see (➨Page).
Upon completion of a successful in-person interview, you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) will be sent a Business Performance Agreement for your review and signature.
You must scan your signed and dated Business Performance Agreement and submit as instructed.
Your Business Performance Agreement is your legal agreement with the Province of Ontario. It will state the amount you will invest in your business and the business sector where you will operate your business. The Business Performance Agreement will also list any other information relevant to your application including but not limited to: job creation, business succession, and business location. This is based upon the information you supplied in your Business Establishment Plan.
Step 5: Apply for Work permit
Upon receipt of your signed and dated Business Performance Agreement, OINP will issue you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) with temporary work permit support letter. A work permit allows you to settle in Ontario and operate your business.
You must apply for your work permit as soon as possible. If you do not arrive within twelve (12) months from the date of your letter of confirmation, your application to the OINP will be terminated.
Submission of applications for Work Permit (➨Page) can be done either online or on paper.
Step 6: Business Establishment in Ontario
If your application for a Work Permit is approved, you will be expected to arrive in Ontario within twelve (12) months of receiving your Entrepreneur Approval Letter.
You must inform the OINP of your arrival within seven days from the date of your arrival in Ontario.
Once you’ve arrived in Ontario, you have up to twenty (20) months from the date that you arrive to implement your business plan and meet the commitments outlined in your Performance Agreement.
Step 7: Request for Nomination
After the OINP has confirmed that the new business has met the commitments outlined in the Performance Agreement, you and your foreign national business partner (if applicable) must both meet the following general nomination criteria to be considered for nomination:
- Language: CLB 4 or higher in English or French
- Residency: You (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) must physically reside in Ontario for 75 per cent of the year to support your business during your Performance Agreement period.
- Active Management: You must be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities of your business.
Once it has been determined that you (and your foreign national business partner, if applicable) have met the Performance Agreement commitments, OINP will contact you and request the submission of supporting documentation to assess the nomination criteria.
If your application is successful, you will receive a Letter of Nomination along with the OINP Confirmation of Nomination document.
Step 8: Apply for Permanent Residence
If you are nominated by the province of Ontario, then your next step is to submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa within six (6) months (➨Page).
You must submit your application using the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (PR Portal) (➨ immilib.com/PR-Portal).
If your application is complete, you will receive a letter or an email confirming that your file has been received and accepted for processing. This letter is called the Acknowledge of Receipt (AOR) and will include your IRCC file number.
Once you have received your acknowledgement of receipt, you can create an online account and link your application to it. By creating an account, you will be able to receive email updates and a more detailed case status.
Step 9: Landing in Canada
If your application is approved, you will be asked to pay your right of permanent residence fee if you haven't already done so. You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and if you are from a country that requires a visa you will also be issued a permanent resident visa.
You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when you cross a Canadian port of entry. This is referred to as ‘landing in Canada' (➨Page).
You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one (1) year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as the Canada Immigration Visa is received.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
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WELCOME TO ONTARIO!
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