Ontario (Provincial)

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at individuals from outside Canada who want to start a business or buy an already existing business in Ontario. Those who are approved for the program will be nominated for Canadian permanent residence. Once nominated, an applicant qualifies to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Applicants under the OES must:

• Have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the past 60 months.

• The experience must be as an owner or senior manager of a business.
  • – Have a minimum net worth of $800,000 if your proposed business will be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
  • – If your proposed business will be outside of the GTA, the minimum net worth requirement is $400,000.
  • – If your proposed business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, the minimum net worth requirement is $400,000.

• Be ready to invest at least $600,000 in an Ontario business and possess at least 33% equity ownership if the business is in the GTA.
  • – If the business is outside the GTA, you must be ready to invest at least $200,000 and have at least 33% equity ownership.
  • – If the business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, you must be ready to invest at least $200,000 and have at least 33% equity ownership.

• Commit to creating two full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the proposed company if the business is located inside the GTA.
  • If the business is outside the GTA, you must create at least one job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • If the business will be involved in Information Communications Technology or Digital Communications anywhere in the province, you must create at least one job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.