Our Programs

Canadian Citizenship by Investment

Permanent residence through Canada's Provincial Nominee Program entrepreneur streams. Active business investment — pathway to one of the world's strongest passports.

CAD 100K+

Minimum Investment (Rural)

2–3 Years

Path to Permanent Residence

3 Years

PR to Citizenship

8 Steps

Application Process

Programme Overview

Canada's Investor Visa in 2026

As of 2026, following the January 1 pause of the federal Start-Up Visa program and closure of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, investment immigration to Canada operates exclusively through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Entrepreneur Streams. This pathway — also known as the Canadian investor visa, Canada investment visa, or residency by investment — allows foreign entrepreneurs and investors to immigrate to Canada by investing in and actively operating a Canadian business.

Business meeting in a Canadian office

Key Takeaways

What every applicant must know

No Passive Programs

All active Canadian investment immigration requires operating a business and taking a management role.

Investment Range

CAD $100,000 (rural) to CAD $200,000+ (metropolitan areas). Total budget including fees and settlement funds: CAD $215,000–$450,000.

Job Creation Required

Must create or preserve at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Physical Presence

Must be in Canada for at least 75% of your time during the performance period.

Dual Citizenship

Canada permits dual citizenship in most cases.

Requirements

Active business investment — what every applicant must meet

Capital Sourcing

Funds must be provably acquired through legal means: salary, business profits, property sale, inheritance, or documented gift.

At-Risk Capital

Committed funds must be genuinely at risk in the business. No guaranteed return of capital or structural arrangements that protect investment from loss.

Job Creation

Must create or preserve at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within two years of business operation.

Good Standing

Clean criminal record. Thorough background and security checks. Medical examination for applicant and all family members.

Eligibility Thresholds

Eligibility thresholds: Rural vs Metropolitan

Criteria Rural / Small Communities Metro / Large Cities
Examples Rural Alberta, BC regional communities Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax
Business Experience Min. 3 years business ownership, or 4 years senior management (past 5 years) Min. 3 years business ownership, or 4 years senior management (past 10 years)
Minimum Net Worth CAD 300,000 (~USD 225,000) CAD 600,000
Investment Required CAD 100,000–300,000 CAD 200,000–500,000
Language Requirement min. CLB 4 / IELTS 4.0 min. CLB 5 / IELTS 5.0

Investment Models

Three qualifying investment approaches

Canadian business district

Acquire

Buy an Existing Business

Acquire a business already operating in Canada.

  • Established revenue
  • Existing employees
  • Known market
  • Faster path to performance targets

Build

Start Your Own Business

Build a new business from the ground up in Canada.

  • Full control over business model
  • Choose your sector
  • Flexibility on location
  • Higher risk, higher control

Franchise

Buy a Franchise

Purchase the rights to operate under an established brand.

  • Proven business model
  • Brand recognition
  • Support network
  • Structured onboarding

Application Process

Eight steps from assessment to citizenship

  1. Eligibility Assessment (1–4 weeks)

    Honest assessment of net worth, business experience, and language level. Determines qualifying program streams.

  2. Select Investment & Develop Business Plan (2–3 months)

    Choose investment model. Conduct exploratory visit to target community. Develop credible business plan — numbers become binding after nomination.

  3. Apply for Business Immigration (2–3 months)

    Submit formal application to provincial immigration. Profile scoring and assessment. Province reviews business plan, financials, and background.

  4. Apply for Entrepreneur Work Permit (~2 months)

    Letter of Support does not automatically authorise entry. Apply to IRCC for work permit. Spouse can apply for open work permit simultaneously.

  5. Arrive in Canada & Make Your Investment (up to 12 months)

    Arrive, establish business, deploy capital. Begin performance period. Submit progress reports to province.

  6. Apply for Permanent Residence (3 months to prepare)

    Province issues final nomination upon fulfilment of performance period. Submit PR application including nomination letter, identity, medical, police clearances.

  7. Permanent Residence Approved (6–8 months)

    IRCC reviews application. Upon approval: live and work anywhere in Canada, access public healthcare, no restriction to nominating province.

  8. Apply for Canadian Citizenship (3 years after PR)

    1,095 days of physical presence in Canada within 5 years before application. Knowledge test, language test (usually already met), citizenship ceremony. Dual citizenship permitted in most cases.

Cost Overview

Budget overview: 2026 estimates

Cost Category Rural / Regional Stream Metro / City Stream
Minimum Investment CAD 100,000–150,000 CAD 200,000–250,000
Operational Buffer CAD 50,000 CAD 100,000
Government & Application Fees CAD 6,000–12,000 CAD 6,000–12,000
Settlement Funds (18 months) CAD 57,000–85,000 CAD 57,000–85,000
Total Estimated Budget CAD 215,000–300,000 CAD 365,000–450,000

Family of 2–4, excluding legal and professional fees. Individual circumstances, family size, province, and business type affect final numbers.

Start your Canadian journey

Our advisors provide an honest eligibility assessment before any commitment is made. Initial consultation is confidential and at no cost.

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