Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Canada is one of few countries that offer such a wide range of immigration opportunities to individuals and/or families seeking entry as businesspersons, skilled workers, or university graduates. When it comes to immigration to Canada, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) provide tailored streams in popular areas such as Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia, that allow qualified applicants to obtain Canadian permanent residency (PR) or Canadian work permits (WP).

How Provincial Nominee Programs work varies from province to province and program to program. Generally, Canadian provinces must “nominate” (hence the term nominee) a candidate for immigration. Some Provincial Nominee Programs offer more than one option, such as the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program for Corporate Business or Entrepreneurship. These options are classified as either enhanced or base streams, which is determined if a stream aligns with the federal Express Entry system or not. In short, enhanced streams utilize the Express Entry system, by which nominees receive points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) following a draw from a pool of the most qualified applicants. It is important to note that the Express Entry system is reserved for skilled worker categories, not business and entrepreneur categories.

Activity in the above-mentioned provinces has been plentiful throughout these warmer months, and below we would like to provide a mid-summer overview of current Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs that offer Canadian permanent residency (PR) or work permits (WP) through business investment opportunities.

Manitoba: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B)

For business-minded men and women, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Business (MPNP-B) is one of the most active streams that grant Canadian permanent residency to foreign nationals. Like other Provincial Nominee Programs, Manitoba offers different streams such as business immigration through investment and skilled workers. In total, Manitoba has issued 584 Letters to Apply (LAA) between the two streams, with 90 coming from the business stream alone.

The MPNP-B stream is designed to nominate businesspersons and entrepreneurs willing to reside in Manitoba and make a minimum investment of CAD $150,000 (with CAD $100,000 reimbursed to the investor) into a new or existing Canadian business. In exchange, successful applicants and family members are granted Canadian permanent residency (PR).

Ontario: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Entrepreneur Stream

Ontario is experiencing a lot of summer activity due to the high number of invitations being issued for settlement in Canada through the OINP. The majority of invitations, however, are focused on skilled worker classes with expertise in Information Technology (IT) and other desirable fields.

Even so, Ontario continues to welcome candidates through various base streams that include entrepreneurs. Through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Entrepreneur Stream, candidates with extensive experience in business ownership or senior management can obtain a Canadian work permit (WP) by investing CAD $500-CAD $1 million in a new or existing business.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) – Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Alberta has been another busy province in terms of nominations. At present, more than 3,100 nomination certificates have been issued in 2017 for the AINP’s three main base streams: Self-Employed Farmer Stream, Employer-Driven Stream, and the Strategic Recruitment Stream. For those wishing to apply through the AINP, the province issues a maximum 5,500 nomination certificates per year; given the current figures, it can be expected the province will reach its cap by the intake closing date.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) – Self-Employed Farmer Stream is designed for individuals wanting to purchase or establish a farm. This particular stream requires candidates to have prior farm management experience as well as make a minimum investment of CAD $500,000 into a new or existing farm. In exchange, the investor and his or her family are granted Canadian permanent residency (PR).

Final Thoughts

While there are many other Provincial Nominee Programs available, several provinces such as Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia are currently focusing on tech-based nominations for skilled worker classes. This does not mean that business streams are unavailable to those who wish to apply, but it does indicate priority for what provinces are seeking in terms of immigration to Canada.

Provincial Nominee Programs for business classes remain open to qualified candidates across Canadian provinces, including (but not limited to) Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan.

To see a full comparison of all Canadian Provincial Nominee Programs for business, please click here.

To view our comparison table of all Canadian immigration programs, please click here.

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