Apply for the Canada Entrepreneur Visa After the Start-Up Visa Shutdown
Canada Entrepreneur Visa: Who Can Apply and How
The answer remains strongly positive. Canada continues to prioritize business immigration, but with a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurs who bring operational experience, financial readiness, and the ability to establish commercially viable businesses that contribute to local economies. This shift has positioned the Canada Entrepreneur Visa, offered through various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), as the most practical and reliable alternative for entrepreneurs seeking Canadian permanent residence.
Why Canada Shifted Away From the Start-Up Visa Model
To address these issues, Canadian immigration authorities redirected their focus toward entrepreneurs who can demonstrate tangible economic value, long-term business sustainability, and direct job creation, which naturally aligns with the objectives of provincial entrepreneur immigration streams.
What Is the Canada Entrepreneur Visa?
The Canada Entrepreneur Visa is not a single federal immigration category but a group of province-specific business immigration programs operating under Provincial Nominee Programs. These pathways are designed to attract entrepreneurs who are ready to actively manage businesses in Canada while supporting regional economic development.
Through these programs, applicants may choose to establish a new enterprise, acquire an existing Canadian business, or expand an overseas operation into the Canadian market. Unlike idea-based programs, entrepreneur visas assess applicants on commercial feasibility, managerial capability, and financial preparedness, ensuring that approved businesses have a realistic chance of long-term success. In most cases, the process begins with a temporary work permit, followed by provincial nomination and an application for permanent residence once business performance conditions are met.
Why the Entrepreneur Visa Is the Best Alternative After SUV Closure
With the Start-Up Visa no longer available, entrepreneur visa programs have become the most dependable option for business owners seeking immigration to Canada. These pathways are structured to favour applicants who bring clarity, commitment, and measurable economic outcomes. Key reasons the entrepreneur visa stands out include:
- Emphasis on real, revenue-generating businesses, where applicants are evaluated on market demand, operational readiness, and the ability to sustain business activities over the long term rather than on speculative innovation.
- No requirement for incubator or investor endorsement, allowing entrepreneurs to retain full ownership and decision-making authority over their business without reliance on third-party approvals.
- Province-specific opportunities aligned with economic needs, giving entrepreneurs access to targeted sectors and industries that provinces actively want to develop, including retail, manufacturing, logistics, IT services, hospitality, and healthcare.
- A structured and transparent pathway to permanent residence, where applicants clearly understand the performance benchmarks they must meet to transition from a work permit to Canada PR.
In-Demand Occupations Eligible for Two-Week Processing (Category B)
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 |
| Civil engineers | 21300 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 |
| Mining engineers | 21330 |
| Aerospace engineers | 21390 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 |
| Mathematicians and statisticians (subset) | 21210 |
| Data scientists | 21211 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 |
| Information systems specialists | 21222 |
| Web designers | 21233 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 |
| Software engineers and designers | 21231 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 |
| Web developers and programmers | 21234 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 |
| Computer network and web technicians | 22220 |
| Information systems testing technicians | 22222 |
| Visual effects and video game project managers (subset) | 51120 |
| Digital media and design professionals (subset) | 52120 |
Many of these roles are also aligned with Canada’s STEM immigration priorities, making them highly valuable for long-term settlement.
Eligibility Requirements for the Canada Entrepreneur Visa
Applicants are typically assessed on the following factors:
- Business ownership or senior management experience, usually acquired within the last five to ten years, demonstrates the applicant’s ability to oversee operations, manage teams, and make strategic business decisions.
- Net worth and investment capability, with provinces setting minimum thresholds that vary based on business location, industry type, and whether the business operates in an urban or regional area.
- A detailed and realistic business plan, outlining market research, competitive positioning, revenue forecasts, operational structure, and a clear strategy for sustainable growth.
- Job creation commitments require the creation of at least one full-time position for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, thereby contributing directly to the local labour market.
- Language proficiency and settlement intent, where applicants must demonstrate basic communication skills and a genuine plan to live and integrate within the nominating province.
Popular Provincial Entrepreneur Programs in Canada
Some of the most popular options include:
- The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is well-suited for experienced business owners aiming to establish or acquire businesses in Canada’s largest and most competitive commercial market.
- British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration is ideal for service-based, technology-enabled, and innovation-supporting businesses seeking access to global trade networks.
- Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream, offering lower investment thresholds for entrepreneurs willing to operate businesses in smaller communities and support regional development.
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Programs, which favour small and medium-sized enterprises that contribute to local employment and economic diversification.
- Atlantic Canada Entrepreneur Pathways is focused on long-term settlement, community integration, and sustainable economic growth in Atlantic provinces.
Step-by-Step Application Process for the Canada Entrepreneur Visa
While the application process varies slightly by province, the overall structure remains consistent across most entrepreneur visa programs. The process typically involves:
- Identifying the most suitable province and business opportunity,
based on the applicant’s background, investment capacity, and long-term settlement goals.
- Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Receiving an Invitation to Apply
issued to high-ranking candidates whose profiles align with provincial economic priorities.
- Obtaining a work permit and establishing the business in Canada
allows the applicant to actively manage operations and implement the approved business plan.
- Meeting agreed-upon business performance conditions
including investment commitments, job creation targets, and ongoing management involvement.
- Securing provincial nomination and applying for permanent residence
Step 2: Apply for Your Canada Work Permit
Once the LMIA is approved, you can submit your work permit application from outside Canada. During the application, you must clearly indicate that your LMIA was issued under the Global Talent Stream. Most eligible applicants receive a decision within two weeks, allowing them to start working in Canada much sooner than usual.
Why Nova Scotia Is Growing in Popularity
- High demand for healthcare professionals, IT workers, educators, and trades
- Accessible immigration streams under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Lower housing costs compared to large metropolitan cities
- Strong community integration and settlement support
Canada Entrepreneur Visa vs Start-Up Visa
While both programs were created to attract entrepreneurs, their structure and objectives differ significantly. The Start-Up Visa focused on innovation-driven start-ups with no fixed personal investment requirement, but carried higher risk and longer processing timelines.
In contrast, the entrepreneur visa prioritizes established or traditional businesses, requires defined investment and net worth thresholds, and offers a clearer, performance-based pathway to Canadian permanent residence. With the SUV currently closed, provincial entrepreneur programs remain the primary option for business-led immigration.
Who Should Consider the Canadian Entrepreneur Visa?
Applicants who possess capital, operational experience, and a realistic business strategy are best positioned to succeed under this pathway.
Final Thoughts
With the right provincial strategy, a strong business plan, and a clear understanding of program requirements, entrepreneurs can continue to achieve long-term success in Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility typically includes business ownership or senior management experience, sufficient investment funds, a viable business plan, language proficiency, and a commitment to actively manage the business in Canada.
Entrepreneurs can apply through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), owner-operator work permits, or regional business immigration streams that lead to permanent residency after meeting performance requirements.
