Provincial Nominee

Most provinces in Canada have an agreement with the Government of Canada that allows them to play a more direct role in selecting immigrants who wish to settle in that province. If you wish to immigrate to one of Canada's provinces as a Provincial Nominee, you must first apply to the province where you wish to settle. The province will consider your application based on their immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there.

Before applying to immigrate to Canada, Provincial Nominees must complete the provincial nomination process.

Alberta

The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), is designed to assist farm owner/operators with proven management skills and significant financial resources, to develop a sustainable growth orientated farming business in Alberta/Canada. Under the Alberta PNP Program, Alberta can nominate farm owner/operators who intend to immigrate, purchase and manage a farming business in Alberta.

Criteria for the Self Employed Farmer Stream (includes but is not limited to):

  • The farm owner/operator category is restricted to primary agriculture enterprises. Priority will be given to applicants purchasing farming enterprises representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta's agri-food growth targets. Applicants should document their investment intentions through their proposed business plans.
  • Confirmation of proven farm management skills through personal representation of a combination of the following:
    • Financial documentation of their existing farm enterprise.
    • Documentation of their education, training and work experience.
    • Proposed business plan for the farming enterprise being considered in Alberta.
    • Canadian financial institution willingness to finance the proposed farming enterprise.
  • Commitment to invest a minimum of CDN$500,000 of equity in a farming enterprise in Alberta. The applicant must provide documentation which demonstrates that they have a minimum net worth of CDN$500,000 or confirmation of access to a similar amount of funds from other sources.
  • Sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation. This amount may in many instances exceed the minimum investment specified to qualify under the Farmer PNP category.
  • Applicants must make personal representation to Alberta Agriculture to demonstrate their financial capability and specific interests in investing in a farming enterprise in Alberta.

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British Columbia

The Business component of the BC PNP offers accelerated immigration for qualified entrepreneurs who wish to settle in British Columbia (BC) and become permanent residents of Canada.

The BC PNP selects and nominates for permanent residence potential business immigrants who have the ability to establish themselves successfully in BC and develop a business that will provide significant economic benefits to the province.

Applicants must meet the program's selection criteria, but should be aware that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee approval. The BC PNP establishes nomination targets for the program, and gives priority to candidates who demonstrate the greatest potential to create a successful business and contribute economic benefits to the province.

There are three separate business categories:

  • Business Skills
  • Regional Business
  • Strategic Projects

Business Skills

This category is intended to attract prospective applicants who have extensive resources and business experience, and who want to be actively involved in implementing a BC business undertaking that will make a significant contribution to the economy of the province.

Eligibility:

  • Make a personal investment of at least CDN$400,000 to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in BC.
  • Create at least 3 new jobs in the business for Canadians or permanent residents.
  • Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
  • Provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business.
  • Demonstrate that they have:
    • The skills and experience necessary to establish and operate a commercially viable business in BC;
    • A personal net worth of at least CDN$800,000 obtained from legal sources;
    • Sufficient unencumbered personal funds to make the required investment; and
    • A viable business proposal.
  • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
  • Sign a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia, if they are seeking a Fast Track nomination.

Applications in the Regional Business category are limited to principal applicants - there is no provision to include foreign key staff as co-applicants for nomination.

Applications will not be accepted from individuals who have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada, are in Canada illegally, are under a removal order in Canada, or are prohibited from entering Canada.

Regional Business

This category is intended to assist people from outside Canada, with proven skills and financial resources, to rapidly implement plans for business establishment or expansion contributing to the regional development of British Columbia.

Eligibility:

  • Make a personal investment of at least CDN$200,000 to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in BC outside of the Vancouver metropolitan area or the Abbotsford metropolitan area.
  • Create at least 1 new job in the business for a Canadian or permanent resident.
  • Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
  • Provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business.
  • Demonstrate that they have:
    • The skills and experience necessary to establish and operate a commercially viable business in BC;
    • A personal net worth of at least CDN$400,000 obtained from legal sources;
    • Sufficient unencumbered personal funds to make the required investment; and
    • A viable business proposal.
  • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
  • Sign a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia, if they are seeking a Fast Track nomination.

Applications in the Regional Business category are limited to principal applicants - there is no provision to include foreign key staff as co-applicants for nomination.

Applications will not be accepted from individuals who have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada, are in Canada illegally, are under a removal order in Canada, or are prohibited from entering Canada.

Strategic Projects

This category is designed to assist companies with the timely entry of skilled, key managers and key technical professionals essential to the success of a business expected to generate significant economic benefits to British Columbia. The Strategic Projects category assists foreign-controlled companies establishing an eligible business in BC with the timely entry of foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff, up to a maximum of 5 per company, who intend to become permanent residents of Canada and settle in BC.

Eligibility:

  • Make a minimum equity investment of CDN$500,000.
  • Create at least 3 jobs for Canadians or permanent residents in BC for each nominee applicant put forward by the company.
  • Demonstrate a record of good business practices, and successful business operations outside of Canada that are relevant to the proposed business.
  • Establish or purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in BC.
  • Incorporate a Canadian subsidiary or register an extra-provincial company in BC to operate the proposed business.
  • Demonstrate that the nominee applicants are qualified senior personnel who are essential to establishing or expanding and operating the proposed business in BC.
  • Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

Provincial Nominee candidates receive expedited temporary work permits and can promptly settle in British Columbia with their immediate family members. After conditions on their Performance Agreement are met, they will be confirmed as Provincial Nominees and their immigration process (permanent resident status) will be expedited.

BC PNP Fast Track Nomination

The Fast Track option is designed for nominee candidates who are in a position to move quickly to implement their business proposal. It offers expedited nomination for permanent residence, in return for which you will make a conditionally refundable CDN$125,000 deposit with the Province of British Columbia.

Applicants in the Business Skills category should note that the Fast Track option is NOT available to foreign key staff included in their application.

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Manitoba

The Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada share responsibilities regarding business people immigrating to Canada through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Immigration Program for Business. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Immigration Program for Business allows Manitoba to recruit, select, and nominate qualified business people from around the world who have the intent and ability to move to Manitoba and establish, purchase a business or become partners in an existing business.

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum personal net worth of CDN$350,000;
  • Minimum amount of equity investment in Manitoba of CDN$150,000;
  • Demonstrated business experience or a minimum of 3 years experience in a senior management role of a successful company. In a partnership situation, the applicant must have a minimum of 33 1/3% shares and play an active management role in the business.
  • Conducted an exploratory visit to Manitoba to investigate business opportunities and Manitoba's quality of life for a minimum of 7 days; and
  • Following approval of your application you will be required to make a CDN$75,000 cash deposit to the Government of Manitoba, guaranteeing the establishment or purchase of a business in Manitoba. The cash deposit will be refunded to you when the investment is made, and the intended business is undertaken as outlined in your application.

Manitoba would like to accept all applicants who meet the program criteria for nomination, however Manitoba will select the applicants who best meet the qualifications and who have the potential to contribute to Manitoba's economic growth.

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New Brunswick

New Brunswick recognizes that immigration is a source of skills, entrepreneurship, expertise, international links, and capital, which create additional employment and investment. Through the Provincial Nominee Program, New Brunswick actively seeks qualified immigrants who will fill labour market shortages, or create employment and business opportunities here.

To be considered for nomination by New Brunswick, Business Plan Applicants must have an approved plan to do business in New Brunswick.

To qualify under this program, a client must:

  • You must have previous management experience with proven success as a senior executive and/or business owner;
  • Your business skills must be relevant to the business you intend to pursue in New Brunswick;
  • You must have sufficient funds to finance the first phase of the planned business venture without third party assistance and to support your family for a period of up to two years (the personal net worth requirement will vary based on business venture proposed);
  • You are required to participate in the business in an active managerial role.

The ability to speak English and/or French is critical to your success as an entrepreneur in New Brunswick. We expect you to have a basic knowledge of English and/or French and be able to understand and answer the questions during the interview with New Brunswick officials. If we are not satisfied that you have sufficient knowledge of the language to carry on a business in New Brunswick, you will be required to take intensive language training and to participate in a second interview prior to nomination.

As an applicant to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, you must make a commitment to settle permanently in New Brunswick and are required to sign a declaration stating your intention to live and work in this province. Provincial Nominees are likely to see their application for immigration to Canada processed expeditiously.

To be considered under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program, you must obtain a minimum of 50 points. A New Brunswick Program Officer will review your preliminary evaluation and documentation. If you meet the requirements as a business applicant, you will be contacted with an interview date in New Brunswick. During the interview, you will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of the business sector you are interested in pursuing in New Brunswick.

Therefore, you should expect to spend at least five (5) full business days in New Brunswick prior to your scheduled interview to:

  • Research the business environment.
  • Consult with economic development agencies.
  • Identify opportunities related to your field of expertise.
  • Explore education, housing and community facilities.

Applicants who need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada will receive a Notice of Appointment letter from the Population Growth Secretariat. Following a positive interview, you will be required to submit a detailed business plan for approval by an official from the Province of New Brunswick . The business plan should provide details of the business idea(s) developed during your visit to New Brunswick and include such things as the type of business, description of business (start-up, purchase, partnership, etc.) products and/or services, customers, responsibilities, relevant experience, a market overview, competition, location of the business and related costs, etc.

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Nova Scotia

Please Note: The province is not accepting any new applications under the Economic stream until the stream is redesigned in spring of 2008.

The Economic stream targeted experienced business managers and entrepreneurs. Specifically, the stream provides each nominated candidate a six-month work experience contract with a Nova Scotia employer. This serves as a valuable orientation to basic business operations in the province - as well as a chance to assess your range of job opportunities and the best fit for your skills over the long term.

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Prince Edward Island

To qualify under this program, a client must:

  • Have a minimum net worth of CDN$400,000.
  • Make a CDN$200,000 investment by way of preferred shares in an eligible Prince Edward Island company.
  • Become an active Director in the Investee Company elected for a period of five years.
  • Intend to have a residency in Prince Edward Island.
  • Make a Good Faith Deposit of CDN$25,000 to be held by the Province of Prince Edward Island and, to be returned on evidence of having one year's residency in Prince Edward Island after landing and being active as a Director.
  • Ideal applicant is between the ages of 21 and 49.
  • Have a minimum of 12 years of education (high school).
  • Have at least five years of management or business ownership experience in a sector with relevance to the Prince Edward Island economy.
  • Have language skills capable of being interviewed in English or French and if not must be prepared to make a Language Deposit of CDN$20,000 held by the Province of Prince Edward Island to be returned on evidence of having one year's residency and that a moderate level of proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and listening in English and/or French has been reached, and
  • Select a PEI Investee Company during a 3 business day visit to PEI.

The Immigrant Partners component of the PEI Nominee Program is among the fastest in the country in terms of issuing nomination certificates. After the initial application is submitted, PEI decides if they will interview the client within about a month. If an interview will be granted, PEI typically issues an open ended invitation letter, and then an interview would be set up once the client had their TRV. If the client is from an area that can travel to Canada without TRV this can be even faster. The interview can be set up within a couple of weeks from date of request, and is part of the required 3 day visit to PEI. The interview itself is relatively short, about 15 minutes, and essentially is just for the purpose of assessing the client's level of English.

If the client passes the interview, we then arrange for the required $200,000 investment in an eligible PEI company to be made, usually within about a month. During this time, we ask from the client to pulls together documentation and we submit to PEI their final applications and documentation.

We offer financing of $90,000 of the $200,000 investment, so the client pays $110,000. The client has no entitlement to return on his or her investment.

The $25,000 good faith deposit requirement is funded by the client separately and held in escrow by the PEI government. It is returned to the client with interest after one year from landing upon the client establishing that they have taken up residency in PEI.

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Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), is designed to help entrepreneurs establish their businesses in Saskatchewan.

There are two categories:

  • Entrepreneur
  • Farm Owner/Operator

Entrepreneur

Saskatchewan's booming economy is creating opportunities for employment and investment in all sectors of the province. But province's most enticing feature is the rich quality of life Saskatchewan residents enjoy.

We have low housing costs and utility rates, which are complemented by the third lowest personal income tax rate in the country. People who move to Saskatchewan claim it is more than just a great place to work - it is an ideal place to call home.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), is designed to help entrepreneurs establish their businesses in Saskatchewan.

Eligibility:

  • Have a minimum of 3 -5 years business ownership experience or senior management experience.
  • Have a minimum personal net worth of CDN$250,000.
  • Conduct a comprehensive Exploratory Visit to Saskatchewan (at least five working days) that includes a Visitation Seminar and interview with a SINP Business Immigration Officer.
  • Submit a Business Proposal or Relocation and Settlement Plan.
  • Make a minimum, verifiable investment of CDN$150,000 into starting a new business or buying outright an existing business, and have an active management role in the day-to-day operation of the business.
  • Intend to own at least 33.3% of your business in Saskatchewan (with a minimum investment of CDN$150,000). If you will not own 33.3% of your business, you must invest a minimum of CDN$500,000 into the business, in either case, you must have an active management role in the day-to-day operation of the business.
  • Make a deposit of CDN$75,000 into a trust account and sign a Performance Agreement based on your Business Proposal or Relocation and Settlement Plan.

Farm Owner/Operator

This category is for individuals with proven experience in farming and substantial capital available to invest in a farming operation who intend to purchase and operate a farming operation in Saskatchewan.

Eligibility (all criteria must be met):

  • Available Equity - applicants must provide financial documents showing a net worth of CDN$500,000;
  • Refundable Cash Deposit - applicants must sign a Performance Agreement committing them to purchasing a farm operation in Saskatchewan and make a "good faith" deposit of CDN$75,000 in trust. The cash deposit will be returned to them when the terms of the Performance Agreement are met. The deposit will be forfeited to the province if the terms are not met within two years of landing in Saskatchewan;
  • Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan - have conducted a comprehensive exploratory visit to Saskatchewan of no less than five working days that includes an interview with an SINP representative; and
  • Farm operation knowledge and experience - applicants must provide documentation (e.g. education and training, work experience, financial documents of their previous operations) that demonstrate that they are knowledgeable farm operators. If necessary, this may be further verified by a personal interview with the applicant in Saskatchewan.

The farm owner/operator category is restricted to proprietary businesses that include primary agricultural production. Agri-business operations may qualify under the Entrepreneur category of the SINP.