The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows participating provinces and territories to nominate a certain number of foreign nationals each year. It enables participating provinces and territories to select immigrants who have specific skills that contribute to that province/territory's economic and social development.
Provincial nominees (selected foreign nationals) are not assessed under the federal skilled worker selection factors. However, CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) still conducts security and medical screening and retains the right to make the final selection. As a provincial nominee, the applicant receives faster processing of their permanent resident application compared to other categories.
- British Columbia (BC)
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island (PEI)
- Nova Scotia
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Yukon
Use the table below to compare the programs and learn which is best suited to your circumstances.
Provincial Nomination Programs with a Business Immigration (Entrepreneur) Category:
Province | Minimum personal net worth | Minimum investment required | Business management experience required? | Business plan required? | Government deposit required? | Performance agreement required? | Exploratory visit required? | Additional selection criteria? |
Manitoba | $350,000 | $150,000 | Yes: Previous business ownership or a minimum of 3 years of senior management experience | Yes | $75,000 refundable deposit | Participate in day-to-day management of business | Yes, for a minimum of 7 days | Yes |
Saskatchewan | $300,000 | $150,000 and ownership of at least 1/3 of an eligible business | Yes: minimum of 3 years of business management experience | Yes | $75,000 refundable deposit | Participate in day-to-day management of business & create at least 3 new jobs for Canadians or permanent residents | No, but recommended | Yes |
British Columbia: Vancouver & Abbotsford | $800,000 | $400,000 and ownership of at least 1/3 of an eligible business | Yes | Yes | Optional Fast Track Option: $125,000 refundable deposit | Yes, in order to obtain a work permit | Strongly recommended | Yes |
British Columbia: outside Vancouver & Abbotsford | $400,000 | $200,000 and ownership of at least 1/3 of an eligible business | Yes | Yes | Optional Fast Track Option: $125,000 refundable deposit | Yes, in order to obtain a work permit | Strongly recommended | Yes |
New Brunswick | $300,000 | $125,000 | Yes: previous business ownership or senior management experience | Yes | $75,000 refundable deposit | Participate in day-to-day management of business | Yes, for a minimum of 5 days | Yes - basic proficiency in one of Canada's official languages |
Quebec | $300,000 | $100,000 - representing at least 25% of capital equity | Yes: minimum of 2 years of business management experience in the last 5 years | Yes | No | Participate in day-to-day management of business | Strongly recommended | Yes |
Prince Edward Island TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED |
$400,000 | $200,000 | Yes: previous business ownership or senior management experience | Yes | $125,000 refundable deposit** | Participate in day-to-day management of business | No | Yes |
Ontario | - | $1,000,000 and ownership of at least 1/3 of a business | Yes | Yes | No | Participate in day-to-day management of business & create at least 5 new jobs for Canadians or permanent residents | No | Yes |
Northwest Territories | $500,000 (if buying a business in the city of Yellowknife) | $300,000 in a business in the city of Yellowknife | Yes | Yes | $75,000 refundable deposit | Yes, in order to obtain a work permit | Yes | Yes |
Yukon | $250,000 (including $150,000 in liquid assets) | $150,000 and ownership of at least 1/3 of a business | Yes: minimum of 5 years of business management experience | Yes | $75,000 refundable deposit | Yes, in order to obtain a work permit | Yes | Yes - basic proficiency in one of Canada's official languages |
**additional deposit of $20,000 if the interview cannot be conducted in English or French |
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