Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OES) - Ontario Nominee Program

OINP Entrepreneur Stream

  • Immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
  • For entrepreneurs from outside Canada
  • Start a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario
  • Opportunity for Entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) to be nominated for permanent residence upon establishing business in Ontario
  • If nominated, apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
  • IRCC makes final decision on who becomes a permanent resident

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  1. 1. Business experience: At least 2 years of full- time business experience in the last 5 years. Experience must be as a business owner or as a senior manager (business management). Business owner must have actively participated in the business and owned at least one-third of the business. Senior manager must have taken part in senior decision-making responsibilities in the business
  2. 2. Net worth:
    • 800,000 CAD within the Greater Toronto Area
    • 400,000 CAD outside of the Greater Toronto Area
    • 400,000 CAD for information and communications technology/digital communications sector (irrespective of location)
  3. 3. Personal investment funds and minimum equity
    • 600,000 CAD, at least one-third of the equity in the business within the Greater Toronto Area
    • 200,000 CAD, at least one-third of the equity in the business outside the Greater Toronto Area
    • 200,000 CAD, at least one-third of the equity in the business for information and communications technology/digital communications sector (irrespective of location)
  4. 4. Active involvement on a continuous basis in business management
  5. 5. Capital investment purpose to make profit, not to derive interest, dividends or capital gains
  6. 6. Job creation
    • Create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if business located inside the Greater Toronto Area
    • Create at least one permanent full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if business located outside the Greater Toronto Area
    • Create at least one permanent full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if business is in information and communications technology/digital communications sector (irrespective of location)
    • Jobs to be created within first 20 months of establishing or purchasing the business
    • Jobs must be filled continuously for at least 10 months
    • Employees must be paid at the median wage level for the position
  7. 7. Additional requirements if existing business is purchased:
    • At least 1 business-related visit to Ontario within 12 months from the date of registering an Expression of Interest
    • For the previous 5 years, the purchased business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner(s)
    • Complete transfer of ownership of the business to the applicant or any business partner
    • At least 10% of personal investment to improve or expand the business in Ontario
    • Retain all permanent full-time employees who worked in the business prior to the ownership transfer

GENERAL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

  1. 1. Business purpose to make profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services
  2. 2. Compliance with Canadian and Ontario legal requirements (relevant federal, provincial or municipal legal, regulatory and licensing requirements, Ontario’s labour and employment standards laws)
  3. 3. Permanent business: Only permanent businesses are eligible. Project-based and seasonal businesses are not eligible.
  4. 4. Business in Ontario: Maintain a place of business in Ontario at all times

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES IN AND OUTSIDE GTA

  1. 1. automated car wash business
  2. 2. holding companies
  3. 3. laundromats
  4. 4. pawnbrokers
  5. 5. pay day loan and related businesses
  6. 6. scrap metal recycling
  7. 7. tire recycling
  8. 8. a business involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
  9. 9. businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES INSIDE GTA

  1. 1. existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
  2. 2. gas stations
  3. 3. bed and breakfasts

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

  1. 1. First step
  2. 2. Maximum score: 200 points
  3. 3. Self-Declared Score (126 points)
  4. 4. Business Concept Score (74 points)
  5. 5. Minimum 37 points required for business concept to enter EOI selection pool
  6. 6. Only top ranked candidates invited to apply
  7. 7. If selected, submit application, supporting documents to validate information in EOI
  8. 8. If stage 1 application is successful, information in EOI become contractual obligations under the performance agreement

GOVERNMENT FEE

  1. 1. Application fee: 3,500 CAD for applicant and 3,500 CAD for business partner (if applicable)
  2. 2. No refund if application is unsuccessful

MANDATORY INTERVIEW

  1. If application is complete and meets program criteria, applicant and business partner (if applicable) need to attend in-person interview in Toronto

PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT

  1. 1. If Stage 1 application (including interview) is successful, performance agreement needs to be signed with the Government of Ontario
  2. 2. Performance agreement includes commitments that must be met in order to be nominated for permanent residence and other details
    • Business description
    • Investment amounts and timelines
    • Number and types of jobs to be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
    • Mandatory business milestones and achievements
    • Timeframes for commitments

TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT

  1. 1. After signing performance agreement, OINP issues letter of confirmation enabling applicant and business partner (if applicable) to apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit. It is Ontario’s support letter for applicant and applicant’s family to move to Ontario to start the business
  2. 2. IRCC responsible for issuing all work permits in Canada residence and other details

ESTABLISHING BUSINESS

  1. 1. Arrive in Ontario: Applicant must arrive in Ontario with valid temporary work permit within 12 months from the date of receipt of letter of confirmation from the OINP. Applicant must inform OINP about arrival in Ontario within 7 days of arrival
  2. 2. Build the business: Upon arrival in Ontario, applicant has 20 months from the date of arrival to implement the business and meet all commitments under the performance agreement.
  3. 3. OINP officers monitor the business
  4. 4. Final report submission to OINP between 18 and 20 months after arrival in Ontario

NOMINATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

  1. 1. If business meets commitments outlined in the performance agreement, supporting documentation needs to be submitted to meet nomination requirements
  2. 2. Language requirement: CLB 4
  3. 3. Residency: Physically present in Ontario for 75 per cent of the time
  4. 4. Active management: Active involvement in day-to-day management activities of the business
  5. 5. If application for nomination is successful, a Letter of Nomination and an OINP Certificate of Nomination will be issued
  6. 6. Apply within six months for permanent residence to IRCC

PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

  1. 1. Pathway for permanent residency for applicant + up to 1 business partner + eligible family members
  2. 2. Low language requirement

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