Ontario is Canada's economic powerhouse — home to more than 14 million people, the financial hub of Bay Street, and a thriving tech corridor stretching from Toronto to Waterloo. For entrepreneurs and investors looking to immigrate to Canada, Ontario offers dedicated pathways through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
OINP Entrepreneur Stream
The OINP Entrepreneur Stream is designed for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to start or buy a business in Ontario. This is a two-stage process that involves a Performance Agreement period before a nominee certificate is issued.
Stage 1 — Expression of Interest (EOI) Requirements
- Business ownership experience: At least 3 of the past 5 years as an owner (with at least 1/3 ownership stake) OR at least 4 of the past 5 years as a senior manager
- Personal net worth: At least $400,000 CAD (for business in the Greater Toronto Area) or $200,000 CAD (for other Ontario regions)
- Language: Minimum CLB 4 in English or French
- Education: At least a Canadian high school diploma equivalent
- Proposed business investment: At least $600,000 CAD (GTA) or $200,000 CAD (other regions)
- Job creation: Must create at least 2 full-time permanent positions for Canadians or PRs (1 for non-GTA)
OINP Entrepreneur Stream — Stage 2: Performance Agreement
If selected from the EOI pool, you sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of Ontario and receive a work permit to come to Ontario and work on your business. Within the agreement period (typically 20 months), you must:
- Establish and actively manage the business in Ontario
- Invest the agreed amount in the business
- Create the required number of employment positions
- Be the majority owner of the Ontario business
After fulfilling the Performance Agreement, you apply for a nomination certificate from OINP, and then apply to IRCC for permanent residence as a provincial nominee.
OINP Investor Worker Stream (Closed)
The traditional OINP Investor Worker Stream has been closed in recent years. Ontario, like most Canadian provinces, has shifted away from pure passive investment immigration toward programs that require active management of a business and creation of Canadian jobs. If you are seeking a passive investor stream, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program remains as one of the few passive investment options in Canada, though it too has been intermittently paused.
Start-Up Visa Program — Federal Alternative
For entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, Canada's Start-Up Visa Program offers a federal pathway to permanent residence. Requirements include:
- A letter of support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator
- CLB 5 in English or French
- Sufficient settlement funds
- Minimum 10% ownership stake in the company
The Start-Up Visa is managed federally and is not province-specific, though many designated organizations are based in Ontario or BC.
Corporate Immigration — Intra-Company Transfers
Multinational companies can transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers to Canadian offices under the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) category. This is an open work permit pathway that can eventually lead to PR through Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class. Ontario has many multinational head offices, making this a common pathway for senior business professionals.
Business Registration in Ontario
When you start or buy a business in Ontario under the Entrepreneur Stream, you will need to:
- Register your business with the Ontario government (Service Ontario)
- Register for HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) with CRA if annual revenues exceed $30,000
- Open a Canadian business bank account
- Register for a CRA Business Number (BN)
- Comply with Ontario employment standards if you hire employees
Setting Up Your Personal Finances After Business Immigration
As a new business owner in Ontario, your personal financial setup matters as much as your business setup:
- Open a personal Canadian bank account separate from your business account
- Build personal credit history (secured credit card, KOHO Credit Building)
- Open a TFSA as soon as you become a Canadian resident
- Understand the tax treatment of owner-manager compensation (salary vs. dividends)
- Review whether you should incorporate or operate as a sole proprietor
Read our complete newcomer financial guide for your personal finance checklist.