The OINP Entrepreneur stream offers Canadian permanent residence to experienced business owners and senior managers who are prepared to establish and actively manage a new or acquired business in Ontario. It is one of the most demanding provincial nominee streams in Canada: applicants must demonstrate a minimum net worth of $400,000 to $800,000 (depending on ownership structure), make a qualifying business investment of $200,000 to $600,000 (depending on location), create Canadian jobs, and personally manage the business from Ontario for a prescribed period before receiving the final nomination.

Unlike most OINP streams, the Entrepreneur stream involves a two-stage provincial process: an initial screening and selection stage, followed by a Business Establishment Period during which the applicant must actually operate the Ontario business before receiving a provincial nomination. The entire process from initial application to permanent residence typically takes 2–3 years, making it a long-term commitment. Provincial registration costs $3,000 plus a performance bond; federal PR fees add another $2,385 for the principal applicant.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have minimum net worth of $800,000 (sole owner of business concept) or $400,000 (partnered)
• Minimum business investment of $600,000 (GTA) or $200,000 (outside GTA)
• Must create at least 2 full-time positions for Canadian citizens/PRs (1 position for northern Ontario communities)
• Must have 3 years of business ownership experience OR 3 years of management with equity stake
• Must score minimum 200 points on OINP entrepreneur points grid
• Applicant must be the primary manager of the Ontario business

Eligibility Requirements

The OINP Entrepreneur stream has detailed financial and experience requirements that differ based on the applicant’s ownership structure and the location of the Ontario business:

Criterion	Sole Owner	Partnered (2 applicants)
Minimum net worth	$800,000	$400,000 each
Business investment (GTA)	$600,000	$600,000 combined
Business investment (outside GTA)	$200,000	$200,000 combined
Jobs created	2 FTE (1 in northern Ontario)	2 FTE combined

In addition to financial thresholds, applicants must score at least 200 points on OINP’s entrepreneur points grid, which assesses business experience, net worth, investment amount, language proficiency, education, and the nature of the proposed Ontario business. Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of business ownership experience OR 3 years of senior management experience with an equity stake in the business during the past 10 years.

Language: English or French at CLB 4 minimum (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF). While CLB 4 is the minimum threshold, candidates with stronger language results score higher on the points grid.

Applicants must be the primary manager of the Ontario business during the Business Establishment Period. The stream does not accept passive investors or silent partners.

Two-Stage Application Process

The OINP Entrepreneur stream follows a two-stage process that differs significantly from other OINP streams:

1. Stage 1 — Initial Application and Business Concept Submission: Applicants submit an initial application including their business concept overview, net worth documentation, business experience evidence, language results, and personal background. OINP assesses whether the applicant meets the minimum eligibility and scores sufficiently on the points grid.
2. Stage 2 — Business Establishment Period (BEP): Approved Stage 1 applicants receive a temporary resident work permit to enter Ontario and establish the business. The BEP typically lasts approximately 20 months during which the applicant must: register and open the Ontario business, make the required investment, create the required jobs, and report progress to OINP.
3. Business Performance Agreement: Before entering Canada, the applicant signs a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) with OINP committing to the investment and job creation targets. A performance bond (amount varies) is paid as security.
4. Business Establishment confirmation: After completing the BEP milestones, the applicant submits confirmation to OINP (business registration, payroll records, investment documentation, proof of job creation).
5. Provincial Nomination: If OINP confirms the business has been successfully established, it issues the Certificate of Nomination.
6. Federal PR Application: The nominated applicant (and family) apply to IRCC for permanent residence — approximately 12–18 months federal processing.

Applicants may include their spouse and dependent children in the federal PR application once the nomination is received.

Business Concept Requirements

Ontario is not prescriptive about which industry sectors qualify for the Entrepreneur stream, but the business concept must demonstrate clear economic benefit to Ontario. OINP evaluates whether the business plan is viable, the investment is genuine, and the projected job creation is realistic. Sectors with strong current interest include manufacturing, food processing, technology services, healthcare-related businesses, and professional services.

The business must be a new venture or a significant acquisition of an existing Ontario business in which the applicant takes an active management role with at least 33.3% ownership. Real estate investment businesses, passive holding companies, and multi-level marketing structures are generally not eligible. OINP expects the applicant to be actively present in Ontario managing the business — not directing it remotely from another country.

Documents Required

Documentation for the OINP Entrepreneur stream is extensive and must be prepared carefully:

• Audited financial statements and personal bank statements substantiating net worth
• Personal income tax returns for the past 5 years (from all relevant countries)
• Business plan for the Ontario venture, including financial projections and job creation strategy
• Proof of prior business ownership or senior management (shareholder agreements, corporate records, employment records with equity documentation)
• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)
• Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence for 6+ months since age 18
• Medical examination results (at later stage)
• Marriage certificate and dependants’ documents (if applicable)

How VGIS Can Help

Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, provides authorised RCIC-IRB representation for OINP Entrepreneur stream applicants through VGIS. The complexity of this stream — spanning business planning, financial documentation, a multi-year business establishment period, and two separate government approval stages — makes authorised representation particularly valuable. VGIS coordinates with business plan writers and financial advisors to ensure every component of the application is aligned.

To assess whether your business experience and net worth meet OINP’s criteria, and to map out the timeline for your Ontario business venture, book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	Provincial: $3,000 (registration) + performance bond. Federal PR: $2,385 principal applicant (business immigration fees)
Biometrics	$85 individual / $170 family

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Proof of net worth (audited financial statements, bank statements)
• Business plan and Ontario business concept overview
• Proof of prior business ownership or management
• Language test results (English or French)
• Police clearances and medical examination
• Personal tax returns for past 5 years

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse be a co-applicant for the OINP Entrepreneur stream?

Two applicants (e.g., spouses) can apply together for the same business venture. In this case, the net worth requirement is $400,000 per applicant (combined $800,000 minimum), and the investment requirements remain the same as for a sole applicant. Both must score the minimum 200 points on the points grid. Partnered applications can be advantageous when one spouse has the business experience and the other contributes net worth or language points.

What happens if I don’t meet the Business Performance Agreement milestones?

Failure to meet the BPA milestones — such as not making the required investment or not creating the required jobs within the BEP — can result in OINP refusing to issue the provincial nomination. The performance bond may be forfeited in whole or in part. OINP does allow extensions in some circumstances if the applicant can demonstrate genuine effort and progress. Unforeseen business challenges should be reported to OINP proactively rather than discovered at the end of the BEP.

Can I buy an existing Ontario business rather than starting a new one?

Yes. Acquiring an existing Ontario business is eligible, provided the applicant takes an active management role and holds at least 33.3% of the business. The business must continue to operate (not simply be acquired as a holding). OINP will assess whether the acquisition represents a genuine business continuation and economic contribution to Ontario.

Is there a minimum annual revenue requirement for the Ontario business?

OINP does not specify a minimum annual revenue figure. The business plan must demonstrate financial viability and a credible path to profitability. OINP evaluates the overall business concept, the applicant’s management experience, the investment amount, and the job creation plan rather than a specific revenue threshold.

How does the OINP Entrepreneur stream compare to the federal Start-Up Visa?

The OINP Entrepreneur stream is better suited to established business owners with significant net worth who want to replicate or expand a proven business model in Ontario. The federal Start-Up Visa targets innovative, scalable startups and requires a letter of support from a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator — but has no minimum net worth requirement. The Start-Up Visa typically results in permanent residence without a business establishment period, but acceptance rates from designated organisations are competitive. VGIS can help you evaluate which program better fits your profile.

Official Government Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.