CanadaActive but varies by provinceBusiness Migration

PNP Entrepreneur Streams

Provincial entrepreneur immigration, now the main active route in several provinces. Requirements and status vary by province — check yours specifically.

Official program name

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Entrepreneur Streams

Program category

Starting an innovative company / Purchasing or operating a business

Current status

Active but restricted — varies sharply by province

Best suited for

Entrepreneurs willing to commit to a specific province and meet its individual entrepreneur-stream criteria

Overview

With the federal Start-Up Visa closed, provincial entrepreneur streams have become a primary pathway. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia all currently run active entrepreneur streams, each with its own capital requirements, business plan standards, and processing timelines. Ontario is a notable exception: its OINP Entrepreneur Stream has been suspended since 2023 for a program redesign, meaning no active entrepreneur stream currently exists at either the federal or provincial level for founders targeting Ontario specifically.

Minimum investment

Varies by province. Not independently verified for each province, so check each province's PNP page directly.

Active involvement required

Yes

Residence status granted

Provincial nomination leads to a work permit and eventual PR application

Family inclusion

To be confirmedVaries by province

Spouse work rights

To be confirmedVaries by province

Permanent residence pathway

Conditional — nomination supports a PR application through Express Entry or the province's own stream

Official source

Each province's individual PNP website (e.g., BC PNP, Alberta AAIP, Manitoba MPNP, Nova Scotia NSNP)

Directional guidance only. Requirements differ materially by province; confirm current criteria directly with the specific province's immigration authority before applying. Last verified September 15, 2026.