Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) > OINP - Entrepreneur Stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program (OINP), the Entrepreneur stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the Entrepreneur stream
The Entrepreneur stream is the only PNP stream in Ontario that is dedicated to international entrepreneurs residing outside Canada who wish to invest their money in Ontario.
When receiving a nomination under the Entrepreneur stream, candidates can then apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government of Canada. |
This stream is not aligned with Express Entry, which means that candidates cannot take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of Express Entry. Processing times of Provincial Nominee Programs (not aligned with Express Entry) are usually longer and take at least 1 year.
The Entrepreneur stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, Ontario does not send Notifications of Interest (invitations to apply) to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 200) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, Ontario conducts periodic Entrepreneur draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
The Entrepreneur stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, Ontario does not send Notifications of Interest (invitations to apply) to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 200) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, Ontario conducts periodic Entrepreneur draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
Eligibility Requirements
As of December 4, 2024, the stream has been suspended.
Eligible and ineligible businesses
To be eligible to the Entrepreneur stream, the proposed business investment must satisfy to the following general eligibility requirements:
Some types of businesses are not eligible for the Entrepreneur stream:
Business Partner
You may partner with a foreign national businessperson, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident businessperson. Under the Entrepreneur Stream, only one foreign national business partner is permitted. Your foreign national business partner must also meet all the minimum requirements, as they also need to separately submit an Expression of Interest, apply to the stream and pay the fees.
Minimum eligibility requirements and the 200-Point Grid
As said earlier, meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive a Notification of Interest from the OINP. Each draw has a minimum threshold score, and you need to have a score above or equal to the threshold to receive an invitation to apply.
There are 3 categories under which you can score points and each category has point factors that are explained in detail below. Remember that for each factor you will be claiming points for, you will have to provide supporting documents to prove you satisfy to the criteria of the factor.
Eligible and ineligible businesses
To be eligible to the Entrepreneur stream, the proposed business investment must satisfy to the following general eligibility requirements:
- The purpose of the proposed business must be to make a profit from active (earned) income not passive (unearned) income through the sale of goods and/or services.
- The proposed business must comply with any applicable federal, provincial or municipal legal, regulatory or licensing requirements that govern its operation. This includes Ontario labour laws, including but not limited to employment standards, health and safety and labour relations legislation.
- The proposed business must be considered a permanent business in Ontario. Project-based/seasonal businesses are not eligible.
- The proposed business must at all times have a place of business in Ontario.
- Third party investors must be a Schedule I or Schedule II bank or an institutional investor.
- An existing business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner or group of owners for the last 5 years before you buy the business.
- The purchase must completely (100 per cent) transfer ownership from the previous owner(s) to you, your business partner(s) (if applicable) and/or your third-party investor(s) (if applicable). This means that the previous owner(s) cannot retain any shares of the business.
- The proposed business must not have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees. This includes anyone who has received a certificate of nomination under the Entrepreneur Stream or the Opportunities Ontario Investor Component.
Some types of businesses are not eligible for the Entrepreneur stream:
- The following are not eligible businesses outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
- Tire Recycling
- Scrap Metal Recycling
- Pawnbrokers
- Holding Companies
- Laundromats
- Automated Car Wash Operations
- Pay Day Loan and related businesses
- Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
- In addition to the list above, the following are also not eligible inside the GTA:
- Existing Franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
- Gas Stations
- Bed and Breakfasts
Business Partner
You may partner with a foreign national businessperson, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident businessperson. Under the Entrepreneur Stream, only one foreign national business partner is permitted. Your foreign national business partner must also meet all the minimum requirements, as they also need to separately submit an Expression of Interest, apply to the stream and pay the fees.
Minimum eligibility requirements and the 200-Point Grid
As said earlier, meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily mean that you will receive a Notification of Interest from the OINP. Each draw has a minimum threshold score, and you need to have a score above or equal to the threshold to receive an invitation to apply.
There are 3 categories under which you can score points and each category has point factors that are explained in detail below. Remember that for each factor you will be claiming points for, you will have to provide supporting documents to prove you satisfy to the criteria of the factor.
Category | Maximum points |
---|---|
Total Human capital (A) | 80 |
Business experience | 25 |
Past specific experience | 35 |
Level of education | 10 |
Language ability | 10 |
Total Investment factors (B) | 46 |
Net worth | 15 |
Investment amount | 25 |
Business related visits | 6 |
Total Business concept (C) | 74 |
Business model | 50 |
Business location | 10 |
Job creation | 14 |
Total (A) + (B) + (C) | 200 |