PNP Investment Requirements: Your Complete Guide to Entrepreneur Streams

Investment Requirements by Province

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

Investment Range: $500,000 – $1,000,000 CAD

Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream targets investors willing to establish businesses in communities outside the Greater Toronto Area. The program requires a minimum personal net worth of $800,000 and investment commitments that vary by location.

Investment Breakdown:

• Greater Toronto Area (Currently Closed): $1,000,000 minimum investment
• Outside GTA: $500,000 minimum investment
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector: $500,000 minimum (any location)

What this means for you: Ontario prioritizes businesses that create jobs in smaller communities. If you’re targeting Toronto or surrounding areas, you’ll need to wait for program reopening or consider alternative provinces.

Business Requirements:

• Create at least 2 full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Own at least one-third of the business
• Be actively involved in day-to-day management
• Business must operate for profit

If you’re applying from India or China: Ontario receives high application volumes from these countries. Ensure your business plan demonstrates clear market differentiation and substantial economic impact to stand out.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration

Investment Range: $200,000 – $800,000 CAD

BC offers multiple entrepreneur pathways with varying investment requirements based on business location and type.

Regional Pilot Program:

• Investment Required: $200,000 minimum
• Target Communities: Populations under 75,000
• Key Benefit: Lower investment threshold with streamlined processing

Base Category:

• Metro Vancouver Investment: $800,000 minimum
• Outside Metro Vancouver: $400,000 minimum
• Personal Net Worth: $600,000 minimum

What this means for you: BC’s regional pilot offers the most accessible entry point for entrepreneur immigration, but you must commit to establishing your business in smaller communities.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Entrepreneurs applying to regional programs while planning to relocate to Vancouver after obtaining PR status. Provincial agreements include monitoring mechanisms, and non-compliance can result in PR status revocation.

Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Investment Range: Farm-dependent (typically $300,000+)

Alberta’s unique program targets experienced farmers willing to establish agricultural operations.

Investment Requirements:

• Minimum $300,000 investment in eligible farming operation
• $400,000 minimum net worth
• Demonstrated farming experience and management skills

Business Requirements:

• Purchase and operate a farming business in Alberta
• Actively manage farming operations
• Contribute to Alberta’s agricultural sector

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Partner with local agricultural organizations or farming cooperatives to better understand Alberta’s agricultural landscape and regulatory requirements.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Program

Investment Range: $300,000 minimum

Saskatchewan offers one of Canada’s most established entrepreneur programs with clear pathways to permanent residence.

Investment Requirements:

• Saskatoon/Regina: $300,000 minimum investment
• Other Communities: $200,000 minimum investment
• Personal Net Worth: $500,000 minimum

Performance Agreement Requirements:

• Create 2 equivalent full-time jobs (if investment under $1,000,000)
• Maintain active business management
• Meet specific gross revenue targets

What this means for you: Saskatchewan’s program offers predictable requirements with clear performance metrics, making it easier to plan your business strategy and compliance obligations.

Manitoba Business Investor Stream

Investment Range: $250,000 – $500,000 CAD

Manitoba requires entrepreneurs to make refundable deposits before establishing their businesses.

Investment Structure:

• Refundable Deposit: $100,000 (returned after meeting performance agreement)
• Business Investment: $250,000 minimum in Winnipeg Metropolitan Area
• Outside Winnipeg: $150,000 minimum investment

Unique Features:

• Deposit system provides security for both applicant and province
• Lower investment requirements outside Winnipeg
• Established support network for immigrant entrepreneurs

If you’re applying from the Philippines: Manitoba has strong Filipino communities and established support networks, but this also means higher competition for business opportunities in certain sectors.

Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Program

Investment Range: $150,000 minimum

Nova Scotia offers one of Canada’s lowest investment thresholds for entrepreneur immigration.

Investment Requirements:

• $150,000 minimum investment
• $600,000 minimum net worth
• Must own at least one-third of the business

Business Requirements:

• Create 1 full-time job for Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Actively manage business operations
• Operate business for minimum 1 year before PR application

What this means for you: While Nova Scotia offers the lowest entry barrier, the smaller market size means careful business planning is essential for long-term success.

New Brunswick Entrepreneur Program

Investment Range: $250,000 minimum

New Brunswick targets entrepreneurs willing to establish businesses that create economic benefits for the province.

Investment Requirements:

• $250,000 minimum investment
• $600,000 minimum net worth
• Business must create at least 2 full-time jobs

Sector Priorities:

• Information technology
• Value-added agriculture and aquaculture
• Manufacturing
• Tourism

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Focus business plans on New Brunswick’s priority sectors to improve application competitiveness and access additional provincial support programs.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Investment Range: $150,000 minimum

PEI offers a straightforward entrepreneur program with reasonable investment requirements.

Investment Requirements:

• $150,000 minimum investment
• Minimum 1/3 ownership of business
• $600,000 minimum net worth

Performance Requirements:

• Create 1 full-time job equivalent
• Maintain active business management
• Complete 1-year performance agreement

Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur Category

Investment Range: $200,000 minimum

Newfoundland targets entrepreneurs willing to establish businesses that contribute to economic diversification.

Investment Requirements:

• $200,000 minimum investment
• $600,000 minimum net worth
• Must own at least 1/3 of business

Business Focus Areas:

• Ocean technology
• Information and communications technology
• Value-added agriculture and aquaculture
• Tourism and cultural industries

[Calculate Your Investment Requirements →]

Business Plan Requirements

Your business plan serves as the foundation of your entrepreneur application and must demonstrate both viability and economic benefit to your chosen province. Provincial reviewers are seasoned business professionals who can quickly identify generic templates or unrealistic projections.

Market Analysis Components

Industry Overview and Trends: Provide comprehensive analysis of your target industry in your chosen province, including market size, growth trends, and competitive landscape. Provincial reviewers want to see you understand local market conditions, not just transplant business models from your home country.

Target Market Definition: Clearly identify your customer base with demographic data, purchasing patterns, and market penetration strategies. Include specific research about local consumer preferences and buying behavior.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants presenting market analysis based on major urban centers when applying to rural or smaller communities. Market dynamics vary significantly across regions, and your analysis must reflect actual local conditions.

Competitive Analysis: Identify direct and indirect competitors, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and clearly articulate your competitive advantages. Avoid claiming “no competition exists”—this suggests insufficient market research.

Financial Projections

Revenue Forecasting: Present realistic revenue projections based on market research and industry benchmarks. Include monthly cash flow projections for the first two years and annual projections for years three through five.

What this means for you: Conservative projections with solid justification perform better than aggressive growth assumptions. Reviewers prefer realistic business owners over optimistic dreamers.

Expense Planning: Detail all startup costs, operational expenses, and capital requirements. Include professional services, regulatory compliance costs, and working capital needs specific to your chosen province.

Break-even Analysis: Demonstrate when your business will achieve profitability and how this timeline aligns with your performance agreement obligations.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Include sensitivity analysis showing how your business performs under different scenarios (best case, worst case, most likely case). This demonstrates sophisticated business planning and risk awareness.

Job Creation Targets

Employment Planning: Specify positions you’ll create, required qualifications, salary ranges, and hiring timelines. Most provinces require jobs paying above minimum wage with potential for career advancement.

Skills Development: Outline training programs or skill development opportunities you’ll provide to employees. This demonstrates long-term commitment to workforce development.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Focusing only on minimum job creation requirements without considering business scalability. Successful applicants often exceed minimum requirements and use this as a competitive advantage.

Economic Impact Demonstration

Direct Economic Benefits: Quantify your business’s direct contribution to the provincial economy through job creation, tax revenue, supplier purchases, and export potential.

Indirect Benefits: Demonstrate how your business will support other local businesses, attract additional investment, or contribute to industry cluster development.

Community Integration: Show how your business will participate in local business associations, community events, or industry development initiatives.

[Get Business Plan Template →]

Due Diligence Process

Provincial governments conduct thorough due diligence on all entrepreneur applicants to verify investment capacity, business experience, and genuine intention to establish roots in the province.

Source of Funds Verification

Documentation Requirements: You must provide comprehensive documentation proving the legal source of all investment funds. This includes bank statements, investment account records, business sale proceeds, property sale documents, and gift letters if applicable.

What this means for you: Start gathering financial documentation early in your planning process. Some documents may require translation, notarization, or certification, which can take several months to complete properly.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants mixing personal and business funds without clear documentation trails. Maintain separate accounts for business investments and ensure all transactions are properly documented.

Third-Party Verification: Many provinces require independent verification of financial documents through designated accounting firms or financial institutions. Budget for these professional services in your application planning.

Business Experience Validation

Management Experience: Demonstrate relevant business management experience through employment records, business ownership documentation, or senior management positions. Most provinces require minimum 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Industry Expertise: Show specific knowledge and experience in your proposed business sector. This can include professional certifications, industry training, or previous business success in similar fields.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants proposing businesses in completely unfamiliar industries without demonstrating relevant expertise or partnering with experienced professionals.

If you’re applying from countries with limited business documentation: Work with professional services to create comprehensive business experience portfolios that meet Canadian standards for verification.

Financial Capacity Assessment

Net Worth Verification: Provide complete financial statements prepared by qualified accounting professionals, including assets, liabilities, and liquid funds available for investment.

Liquidity Analysis: Demonstrate sufficient liquid funds not only for the required investment but also for business working capital, personal living expenses, and unexpected costs during the establishment period.

Credit History: Some provinces require credit reports and financial references to assess your financial management capabilities and creditworthiness.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Engage qualified Canadian accounting professionals to review your financial documentation before submission. They understand provincial requirements and can identify potential issues early.

Investment Options

New Business Establishment

Greenfield Operations: Starting a completely new business offers maximum control over operations, location, and business model but requires more time to establish market presence and achieve profitability.

Advantages: Full control over business direction, opportunity to build brand from ground up, potential for higher returns on investment.

Considerations: Higher risk profile, longer timeline to profitability, need for comprehensive market entry strategy.

What this means for you: New business establishment works best when you have strong industry expertise, clear market opportunity, and sufficient capital to support operations during the startup phase.

Existing Business Purchase

Asset Purchase: Buying an established business provides immediate operations, existing customer base, and proven revenue streams, but requires careful due diligence to avoid inheriting problems.

Key Benefits: Immediate cash flow potential, established supplier relationships, trained workforce, proven market presence.

Due Diligence Requirements: Financial audits, legal review, market position analysis, assessment of growth potential.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Purchasing struggling businesses at attractive prices without properly assessing turnaround requirements or market challenges. Ensure you have both capital and expertise to address any operational issues.

Partnership Opportunities

Joint Ventures: Partnering with Canadian citizens or permanent residents can provide local market knowledge, established business networks, and shared risk, but requires clear partnership agreements and aligned objectives.

Partnership Structure Requirements: Most provinces require entrepreneur applicants to maintain significant ownership stakes (typically 1/3 minimum) and active management involvement regardless of partnership arrangements.

Legal Considerations: Partnership agreements must clearly define roles, responsibilities, profit sharing, and decision-making authority while meeting provincial ownership requirements.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Engage Canadian business lawyers to structure partnerships that meet both provincial requirements and protect your interests as an immigrant entrepreneur.

Post-Investment Obligations

Performance Agreements

Binding Commitments: Your entrepreneur approval includes a performance agreement outlining specific obligations you must meet to maintain your status and qualify for permanent residence nomination.

Typical Requirements:

• Maintain minimum investment levels throughout performance period
• Create and maintain required number of jobs
• Achieve specified revenue or business activity targets
• Provide regular business reporting to provincial authorities

What this means for you: Performance agreements are legally binding contracts. Failure to meet obligations can result in loss of work permit status and permanent residence eligibility.

Reporting Requirements

Regular Business Updates: Most provinces require quarterly or semi-annual business reports including financial statements, employment records, and operational updates.

Compliance Documentation: Maintain detailed records of all business activities, investments, job creation, and community involvement for provincial review.

Professional Reporting: Many provinces require reports prepared or reviewed by qualified Canadian accounting professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Treating reporting requirements as administrative formalities rather than important compliance obligations. Incomplete or late reports can trigger compliance reviews and jeopardize your permanent residence pathway.

Compliance Monitoring

Site Visits: Provincial officials may conduct unannounced site visits to verify business operations, review records, and confirm compliance with performance agreements.

Financial Audits: Authorities can request detailed financial audits to verify investment levels, job creation claims, and business performance.

Community Integration Assessment: Some provinces evaluate your personal and family integration into the community as part of ongoing compliance monitoring.

What this means for you: Maintain professional business operations, accurate record-keeping, and genuine community involvement throughout your performance period. Compliance monitoring continues until you receive permanent residence.

Resources from AVID

📎 Investment Calculator

Calculate province-specific investment requirements, net worth thresholds, and estimated total costs for your entrepreneur immigration journey.

📝 Business Plan Template

Comprehensive business plan template specifically designed for PNP entrepreneur applications, including all required sections and provincial-specific modifications.

📄 Due Diligence Checklist

Complete documentation checklist covering source of funds verification, business experience validation, and financial capacity requirements.

🧠 ROI Analyzer

Investment return projection tool helping you evaluate different business opportunities and their potential returns within Canadian market conditions.

📊 Compliance Tracker

Post-investment obligation tracking system to ensure you meet all performance agreement requirements and reporting deadlines.

💬 Common Applicant FAQs

• Q: Can I invest in multiple provinces simultaneously? A: No, you can only hold one entrepreneur work permit at a time, though you can apply to different provinces sequentially if not selected.
  
  
• Q: What happens if my business fails during the performance period? A: Business failure doesn’t automatically disqualify you if due to market conditions beyond your control, but you must demonstrate good faith efforts and may need to start a new qualifying business.
  
  

Q: Can family members work in my business? A: Yes, but jobs created for performance agreement purposes must be for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, not family members on dependent visas.