About OINP Entrepreneur Stream
OINP Entrepreneur Stream
It allows an entrepreneur (and up to one business partner) to be nominated for permanent residence once their company is established in Ontario.
The Entrepreneur Stream application is divided into two stages.
Stage 1
- Fill out an online expression of interest form.
- Submit an online application if invited.
- You and your business partner (if applicable) must appear in person at the OINP office in Toronto for a mandatory in-person interview.
- If your stage 1 application is accepted, you will be required to sign a performance agreement.
Stage 2
- We provide you with a temporary work permit support letter so that you can apply for a temporary work permit with IRCC.
- Establish your company – you have 20 months to put your business plan into action and submit a final report.
- If your company meets all of the requirements, we will request documentation to ensure that you are eligible for permanent residence nomination.
- obligatory requirements
1 Commercial experience
In the last 60 months, you must have had at least 36 months of full-time business experience.
Your experience as a business owner or senior manager is required (business management). As a business owner, you must have played an active role in the company and own at least one-third of it. You must have had senior decision-making responsibilities in the business as a senior manager.
2 Monetary value
If your proposed company will be located in:
- You must have a minimum net worth of $1,500,000 CDN in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and the regions of Durham, Halton, York, and Peel).
- You must have a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN if you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
3 Personal investment funds and a minimum amount of equity
If your proposed company will be located in:
- You must make a minimum personal investment of $1,000,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business within the Greater Toronto Area.
- Outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you must make a personal investment of at least $500,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the company’s equity.
4 Active participation
You must be actively involved in business management on an ongoing basis.
5 The goal of capital investment
The primary goal of investing capital in a business must be profit. It cannot be used to earn interest, dividends, or capital gains.
6 Job creation
You must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the first 20 months of establishing or acquiring the business, and they must be paid at the position’s median wage.
Expression of enthusiasm
The first step is to submit an expression of interest (EOI). It is not a software application. An EOI can be registered for free.
A self-declared EOI is a point-based system. If you are qualified, you are placed in a pool of candidates and given a score based on the information you provide.
- The highest possible score is 170 points.
- There is no minimum or maximum score.
EOIs are compared to one another. Your score, which is compared to the other scores of the submitted EOIs, determines whether you will be issued an invitation to apply. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply.
The cost of applying
Your application fee is $3,500, and your business partner’s fee is $3,500. (if applicable). This fee covers the costs associated with processing your application.
Attend a required interview
We will notify you via email if your application is complete after we have reviewed it. If your application is complete and appears to meet programme requirements, you and your business partner (if applicable) will be required to attend an in-person interview at our Toronto office.
The interview is designed to gain a better understanding of your business plan and previous experience.
Following your application
- If your stage 1 application is approved, you will be required to sign a performance agreement.
The performance agreement will spell out the obligations that must be met in order to be nominated for permanent residence. The document will contain, but will not be limited to:
- a description of your company
- investment quantities and timelines
- the number and types of jobs to be created for Canadians or permanent residents
- required business milestones and accomplishments
- commitment timetables
Apply for a temporary work permit
We will issue a letter of confirmation after you sign the performance agreement, allowing you and your business partner (if applicable) to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a temporary work permit.
This letter expresses Ontario’s willingness to assist you and your family in relocating to Ontario to start your business.
The IRCC is in charge of issuing all work permits in Canada.
Create your company.
- Travel to Ontario
- Establish your company
- Turn in your final report
You must enter Ontario with a valid temporary work permit within 12 months of receiving your letter of confirmation from the OINP.
You have 20 months from the date you arrive in Ontario to implement your business and meet all commitments under your performance agreement.
You must ensure that the required permanent full-time jobs are filled continuously for at least 10 months, until you submit your final report.
You must send us your final report between 18 and 20 months after arriving in Ontario.
Obtain permanent residency nomination
We will request supporting documentation after we have confirmed that your new business has met the commitments outlined in the performance agreement.
If you are chosen
If your nomination application is successful, you will be sent a Letter of Nomination as well as an OINP Certificate of Nomination.
Your next step is to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence within six months.
You must include your Letter of Nomination as well as the OINP Certificate of Nomination.