OINP ENTREPRENEUR STREAM
Federal Skilled Worker Program Requirements | Express Entry
OINP Entrepreneur Stream Points Score Calculator
Business Ownership Experience or Senior Manager Experience
You should have at least one-third ownership of the business during the period that you claim as your experience, also you need demonstrate that your role was an active role, meaning you had direct input on day-to-day decisions and were hands-on. or Your role must have included making important decisions related to different areas of the company such as Operations, Sales, Finance, Marketing, Distribution, Human Resources and Research and Development, and you were in charge of the day-to-day operations of the business
Past specific experience
High growth business experience: experience in a business that experienced a minimum of a 20 per cent increase in revenue in two consecutive years prior to the date of your EOI registration. Export-trade business experience: experience in a business exporting at least 20 per cent of total goods/services to a foreign market each year within the last two years prior to the date of your EOI registration. Transferable skills: direct experience and/or experience in related industries within the last five years prior to the date of your EOI registration.
Level of Education
Post-secondary education refers to studies at a licensed post-secondary institution that leads to obtaining a credential that is the equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate. Language training (such as English as a Second Language (ESL) courses) will not be considered towards meeting the post-secondary requirement.
Official Language Ability
You may claim points based on your proficiency in English or French. While not a mandatory requirement to be considered for the Entrepreneur Stream at the time of registering your EOI, language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 is required at the time of nomination by the OINP.
Net Worth
Your personal net worth must be lawfully obtained and verifiable. Your personal net worth includes all of your assets and those of your spouse or common-law partner, minus any liabilities including mortgages and personal debt
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Less than $800,000 and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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$800,000 to $2,499,999and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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$2,500,000 or more and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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Less than $400,000 and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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$400,000 to $999,999 and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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$1,000,000 or more and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
Investment amount
You may claim points based on the total personal investment amount that will be made into your proposed business.Additionally, you must control at least one-third of the equity in the business. If you have a foreign national business partner, they are also required to control at least one-third of the equity in the business. Your spouse may hold part ownership of the business, however, you must continue to control at least one-third of the equity in the business in your name.
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Less than $600,000 and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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$600,000 to $1,499,999 and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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3,000,000 or more and a proposed business will be located within GTA
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Less than $200,000 and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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$200,000 to $499,999 and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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$500,000 to $799,999 and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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$800,000 or more and a proposed business will be located outside the GTA
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 model
You must describe 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 active management.
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The business model does not clearly identify and/or describe the business operation. The business model does not clearly identify the products and/or services being offered. The business model does not provide details of applicant’s role. If purchasing an existing business: a description of the existing business and proposed expansion is not provided or is vague and unclear.
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The business model is clearly identified and describes the business operation from start to finish. The business model clearly identifies the products and/or services being offered. The business model clearly identifies the applicant’s role. If purchasing an existing business: A description of the existing business and proposed expansion is clear.
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An applicant’s proposed duties with the business are consistent with applicant’s experience. The business model identifies a clear strategy to become viable in Ontario. The proposed scale of business is consistent with industry/regional norms. If purchasing an existing business: a description of the existing business and proposed expansion is clear.
Market research
You must provide an effective market entry strategy to demonstrate that your proposed business will be successful in Ontario. If you are planning to purchase an existing business, you must be able to demonstrate how the business will grow and expand under your management.
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An applicant has not conducted any research activities. Does not provide a description of how market factors impacting the proposed business would be addressed. Does not provide an understanding of the target market and does not clearly support ideas with research sources
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Marginal research activities are conducted, but may not be linked to the proposed business or are unclear. A marginal explanation of the target market provided, with minimal support for ideas from credible research sources. A marginal description of critical market factors and how they will be addressed.
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It provides a clear and reasonable explanation of research activities and can link the market research to the proposed business. It demonstrates a clear understanding of the target market and can support ideas with credible research sources. It provides a clear summary of critical market factors and how they will be addressed
Significant Economic Benefit and Key Sector
Explain how your business will generate significant economic benefit to Ontario as a whole or to the local Ontario economy where the business will be located.
Investment allocation
Provide a breakdown of how you intend to allocate your capital investment to grow and expand the proposed business.
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No breakdown provided. Little to no information on how to grow the business. Ineligible expenses listed in breakdown.
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Breakdown provided, but lacking clarity. Information on plan to grow/expand the proposed business, but limited.
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A full investment breakdown is provided. A thorough explanation of the plan to grow/expand the proposed business.
Business Location
The OINP uses Statistics Canada’s Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Census Agglomeration (CA) data to divide business locations into three categories based on population size: Category A: Census Metropolitan Areas with a population of 175,000 or more. Category B: Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomeration areas with a population greater than 100,000 but less than 175,000. Category C: All other locations that do not fall within Category A or B that have a population of 100,000 or below.
Job Creation
You may claim points based on the total number of permanent full-time jobs that you will create for Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the first 20 months of establishing your business. There is a minimum requirement for this factor to be eligible for the Entrepreneur Stream. You must demonstrate that you will create either: at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada if your proposed business is located within the GTA at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada if your proposed business is located outside of the GTA
Creation of NOC 0, A or B Jobs
National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, NOC A or NOC B jobs your proposed business will create for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Please include a NOC designation for each new job created. There is no mandatory requirement for this factor to be considered for the Entrepreneur Stream
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Add your name and email to get your result
Entrepreneurs from all over the world can gain permanent residence status in Canada through eligible investment in Ontario. OINP Entrepreneur Stream gives the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence to two investors/business partners if they start or buy an existing business in Ontario.
OINP Entrepreneur Program Requirements for Business and Investor(s)
We provide an overview of requirements for a business and investors that must be met to get nominated for permanent residence.
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Criteria
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Minimum Eligibility Requirement
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For a prospective immigrant (business owner):
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Net worth
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CAD 800,000 (a business location within the GTA) or CAD 400,000 (a business located outside the GTA or ICT/Digital Communications sectors)
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Business or managerial experience
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2 years in the last 5 years
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Language ability
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CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 4
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Age
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N/A
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A Business Proposal:
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Investment
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CAD $600,000 (within the GTA) or CAD 200,000 (outside the GTA or ICT/Digital Communications sectors )
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Ownership/control
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Must control at least 1/3 of the equity in the business
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Location
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Ontario at all times
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Business plan
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Required
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Ineligible businesses
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Yes, check the list of ineligible types of business
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Process/stages:
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Expression of interest (EOI)
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Must register an expression of interest
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Minimum score on a selection grid
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No minimum, but must score high enough (200 points available). Check OINP Entrepreneur Stream Score Calculator
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Exploratory visit
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Must make at least 1 business-related visit to Ontario within 12 months from the date of registering an expression of interest
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Interview
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Must attend a mandatory interview
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Performance agreement
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Required to be signed
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Refundable deposit
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N/A
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Work permit
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Must apply for a temporary work permit and arrive in Ontario within 12 months of receiving a temporary work permit support letter
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Business establishment
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Must establish a business (implement a business plan and submit a final report) within 20 months from the date of arrival in Ontario
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Job Creation
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Must create 2 permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (within the GTA) or 1 (outside the GTA or ICT/Digital Communications sectors )
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Residency
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Must be physically living in Ontario for 75% of the time during which establishing a business
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Active management
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Must be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities of a business
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Nomination for PR
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Contingent on meeting the commitments in a performance agreement
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Monitoring after nomination
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Post-nomination monitoring will continue up until the granting of permanent residence (by IRCC)
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Business Experience
An investor must have at least two (2) years of full-time business experience in the last five (5) years. This includes experience as a business owner who had an active role in the company and at least one-third (33%) ownership. Also, the senior managerial experience is eligible as long as an investor had senior decision-making responsibilities in the company.
Viable business idea & general business requirements
Investors must have a viable business idea detailed in a business plan. Passive investments are not eligible. The purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods or services. Learn about Ontario's 12 industry sectors to invest with multi-generational potential for growth and profitability.
The business must be permanent, established, with a place of business in Ontario at all times, give a material economic benefit to the economy of the province. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.
Personal Net Worth
Net worth depends on the location and industry of the business and ranges from $400,000 CDN to $800,000 CDN. Passive investments, including mutual and pooled fund securities, are permissible for satisfying the personal net worth criterion. More specifically:
- $800,000 CDN - if a proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, York, and Peel regions.
- $400,000 CDN – if a proposed business will be located outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
- $400,000 CDN - if a proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector, regardless of location.
Review of Personal Net Worth (Third Party Verification Report) will be required by one of the approved auditors: KPMG LLP, MNP LLP, and Deloitte Forensic Inc.
Active Involvement
Investors must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business. Specifically, entrepreneurs must be physically living in Ontario for 75 percent of the time while establishing a business, as well as be actively involved in the day-to-day management activities
Job Creation
Foreign investors must create jobs within the first twenty (20) months of establishing the business in Ontario. Jobs must be filled continuously for at least ten (10) months and must be paid at the median wage level for the position.
- Two (2) permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents - if the business will be located inside the Greater Toronto Area.
- One (1) permanent full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents - if the business will be located outside the Greater Toronto Area or in the information and communications technology or digital communications sector, regardless of location.
Language
Foreign entrepreneurs must be able to listen, read, write and speak English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4. It corresponds to IELTS general test result 3.5 (R), 4.0 (W), 4.5 (L), and 4.0 (S), or CELPIP general test result 4.0 for all abilities.
Investors are not required to meet the language requirement when they apply to the Entrepreneur Stream. However, they must meet these criteria when they apply for nomination after the business has been established and the terms of a Performance Agreement are met. On average, investors have 2 years to improve their language ability and meet the program requirement.
Business Investment Amount & Purpose
- $600,000 CDN and control at least one-third (33%) of the equity in the business - if a proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area.
- $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business - if a proposed business will be located outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
- $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business - if a proposed business is in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector, regardless of location.
Passive investments are not eligible for inclusion in an applicant’s minimum business investment amount. The primary purpose of investing capital in the business must be to make a profit; not be to derive interest, dividends or capital gains.
About the Process
Signing a Performance Agreement with the Government of Ontario and monitoring after nomination by Ontario.
Investors who were invited to apply under the OINP Entrepreneur Stream and attended an interview will be required to sign a performance agreement with the Government of Ontario. It will outline a description of the business, investment amounts, timelines, number and types of jobs to be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, mandatory business milestones and achievements, and timeframes for commitments.
After signing an agreement, applicants can apply for a temporary work permit. They have 20 months to implement a business plan. The Government of Ontario reviews a final report and documentation to make sure a business meets all requirements for nomination.
Post-nomination monitoring will continue for a period of three (3) years after nomination. The monitoring is done to ensure that investors are meeting the Entrepreneur Stream criteria up until the granting of permanent residence.
Ineligible Types of Business
The ineligible businesses outside and in the Greater Toronto Area are:
- automated car wash business
- holding companies
- laundromats
- pawnbrokers
- payday 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 the proposed business will be located in the Greater Toronto Area, the following types are also ineligible:
- existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
- gas stations
- bed and breakfasts
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