With the Start-Up Visa Program now closed, what options are entrepreneurs left with?
Although Canada closed its Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program on January 1, 2026, immigrant entrepreneurs seeking permanent residence (PR) are not out of options.
While foreign nationals await the launch of the new targeted pilot intended to replace the SUV, they can explore alternative business immigration pathways, such as certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams or an entrepreneur-focused TR to PR pathway.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
This article will cover
Immigrate through an entrepreneur-focused PNP stream
Pursuing PR through a PNP stream specifically designed for entrepreneurs is likely the best bet for international entrepreneurs following the SUV’s closure.
Currently, there are nine PNPs with entrepreneur, business, or investor streams that will be accepting applications in 2026 (see below).
Foreign nationals should be aware that some entrepreneurial PNP streams are more active than others. British Columbia, for example, held 16 entrepreneur-focused draws in 2025, and has already conducted one in 2026 on January 13.
General note for all streams: Typically, PNPs require candidates to establish and/or run their business for a set number of months on a work permit prior to getting a provincial nomination—which they will only receive if they fulfil specific business development commitments as agreed to in the business agreement signed with the province.
Entrepreneurs also generally enter into a business performance plan (varying by province), which requires them to meet certain benchmarks. If your business fails after getting a nomination but before obtaining PR, the nomination may be revoked.
Alberta (four streams)
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: International student graduates (from qualifying in-province post-secondary institutions) wanting to start a new business or purchase an existing business in the province (34% ownership).
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Experienced foreign student graduates from out-of-Canada institutions seeking to launch a start-up enterprise or business in Alberta, willing to invest at least $50,000 or $100,000 depending on location of the business.
Farm Stream: Entrepreneurs (net worth $500,000+) with adequate farm management experience and sufficient financial resources wanting to start a new farm or purchase an existing one within the province; must invest $500,000 equity.
Rural Entrepreneur Stream: Experienced entrepreneurs (net worth $300,000+) from outside Canada seeking to start a new business or purchase an existing business in a rural Alberta community, willing to invest $100,000.
British Columbia (three streams)
Base Stream: Experienced foreign entrepreneurs intending to establish a new business or take over and improve an existing business anywhere in BC, with a personal net worth of at least $600,000 and willingness to invest $200,000 in the business.
Regional Stream: Experienced foreign entrepreneurs wanting to start a new business in a small (and participating) community, with a personal net worth of at least $300,000 and willingness to invest ($100,000) in the business.
BC also has a Strategic Projects Stream, through which foreign corporations wishing to establish operations in the province (and have identified investment opportunities there) can propose key staff members to manage the company’s operations there.
Manitoba (one stream, one pilot)
- Entrepreneur Pathway: Active business owners/senior management professionals (net worth $500,000+) with three years of work experience seeking to establish, purchase, or become partners in an existing business in Manitoba.
- Farm Investor Pathway: Foreign nationals (net worth of $500,000+) who want to establish a farm in rural Manitoba, have at least three years of farm ownership and operation experience, and are willing to invest $300,000 in the farm.
International Student Entrepreneur Pilot: Individuals who graduated from a Manitoba designated learning institution (2+ year program) seeking to pursue entrepreneurship over employment; must operate the business for six months as a senior manager before nomination.
Nova Scotia (two streams)
Entrepreneur Stream: Experienced business owners/senior business managers (net worth of $600,000+) wanting to start a new business or purchase an existing business in NS with, relevant experience a willingness to invest $100,000 to $150,000 depending on location of their business.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Recent international graduate entrepreneurs (of an eligible NS learning institution) that have already established or purchased a NS-based business (1/3 ownership), which they have operated for at least one year.
Newfoundland and Labrador (two streams)
International Entrepreneur Stream: Experienced business owners/managers (net worth of $600,000+) wanting to buy a new business or purchase an existing NL business, willing to invest $200,000.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Student graduates from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic who have already started or bought a local business, and managed it for one year.
New Brunswick (one stream)
NB Business Immigration Stream: Entrepreneurs wanting to establish, operate, and manage a new business in NB, with a net worth of at least $500,000 and experience in business ownership or senior management.
Prince Edward Island (one stream)
Business Impact Category – Work Permit Stream: Foreign nationals with business ownership experience or senior management experience looking to invest in or run a business in PEI, with a personal net worth of $600,000.
Yukon (one program)
Yukon Business Nominee Program: Foreign nationals looking to establish and manage a business in the province with at least three years of entrepreneurial or business management experience, five years of relevant work experience, and minimum net worth of $500,000.
Northwest Territories (one stream)
Business Stream: Individuals seeking to start or purchase a business in the NWT, with a net worth of $250,000+ to $500,000+ and an ability to invest at least $100,000 to $250,000—both dependent on location of the business.
All above PNP streams will also have other eligibility criteria foreign nationals must meet to qualify, including language ability, education, and other stream-specific requirements.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
Immigrate through a Quebec Business Program
If you plan to settle in Québec as a foreign entrepreneur, there are three business programs available, each with distinct eligibility criteria, including:
An investor pathway: For high-net-worth individuals with two years of management experience, able to make $1.2 million risk-free investment through an approved financial intermediary.
An entrepreneur pathway: For individuals seeking to start an innovative business or project, operate their already existing business, or takeover an existing business in Quebec, in an eligible sector. Net worth, minimum experience, and other eligibility criteria vary by intent.
A self-employed worker pathway: Individuals (net worth of $100,000+) with two years of experience in their profession, seeking to practice this profession in Quebec alone or with others, in an eligible sector.
A crucial component of all these programs and their respective streams is being able to meet a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7, among other eligibility requirements.
Learn more about your options and get assistance immigrating to Quebec
Build PR eligibility with a C-11 work permit
The C11 work permit, also referred to as the "significant benefit permit," is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt option under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) for foreign nationals who want to start, purchase, or operate a business in Canada.
The C11 permit is often used as a “work permit first” pathway: entrepreneurs can use it to launch and operate their company in Canada and later pursue PR through *programs they may qualify for, such as through a PNP or the Federal Skilled Worker Program under Express Entry, or other PR programs that don't exclude work experience gained while self-employed.
It’s commonly used by founders and owner-operators when the business can show it will provide a significant benefit to Canada—such as job creation, innovation, skills transfer, growth in exports, and meaningful economic activity in a region; this is a requirement.
In addition to demonstrating that your business will provide significant benefit to Canada, to qualify, you must also
- Own at least 51% of their business;
- Show the business must be ready (or nearly ready) to start operations;
- Show you have the funds to support yourself and your family (if applicable) once in Canada;
- Plan to actively manage and grow a Canadian business; and
- Have management expertise and relevant experience in the sector you’re entering.
*Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explicitly states that self-employed work experience does not count towards Canadian Experience Class work experience requirements.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
