OINP Entrepreneur Stream (Closed): Business Immigration to Ontario

The Entrepreneur stream was the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) business category. It was for experienced business owners and senior managers who wanted to start a new business or buy an existing one in Ontario.

It worked in stages. Candidates registered an expression of interest (EOI), were invited to apply, and signed a performance agreement with Ontario. They then came to Ontario on a work permit, set up and ran the business, and could be nominated for permanent residence once they met the agreement's investment and job creation terms. The stream required significant personal net worth and investment, and it had strict rules about active, day-to-day management.

Because the stream is closed, its old investment amounts and rules no longer apply to anyone.

The Entrepreneur stream closed in steps:

As of September 2026, Ontario has no open business immigration stream. Ontario's page for the program says the Ontario Workforce Priority stream has launched and all other streams are closed. See our 2026 OINP overhaul page for more.

Ontario's general rule for former streams is that applications submitted after an invitation continue to be assessed against the rules in effect when they were submitted. EOIs without an invitation are withdrawn.

If you signed a performance agreement or hold a work permit based on an Ontario Entrepreneur application, your file depends on its own terms and history. Contact the OINP directly and keep your temporary status valid. Because business immigration files are complex and involve large sums of money, talk to a lawyer or a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) before making decisions.

Ontario has said its 2026 redesign has two phases. Phase 1 launched the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which does not accept entrepreneurs or self-employed people (except self-employed physicians). Phase 2 is expected to add three streams: Priority Healthcare, Entrepreneur and Exceptional Talent.

Published reports on Ontario's consultation describe a new Entrepreneur stream for people who have started, or bought and actively run, a business in Ontario. As of September 2026, Ontario has not published eligibility rules, investment amounts, job creation rules or a launch date. Be careful with anyone who claims to have "early access" or guaranteed spots. See our guide to immigration scam protection.

If you look at business streams in other provinces, expect a similar multi-step process:

1. Expression of interest: you submit a profile with your net worth, business experience, language scores and business idea. Many provinces score and rank profiles.
2. Invitation and business plan: if invited, you submit a detailed business plan and a net worth verification report from an approved accounting firm.
3. Performance agreement: the province signs an agreement that sets your investment and job creation targets.
4. Work permit: the province supports a temporary work permit so you can come and start or buy the business.
5. Nomination: after running the business for a set period and meeting the agreement, you ask for a nomination and then apply for permanent residence.

Most streams require you to manage the business day to day. Passive investment does not qualify.

Federal business routes are limited right now. The Start-Up Visa closed on December 31, 2025, and the Self-Employed Persons program is paused. A new federal entrepreneur pilot has been promised; see our Start-Up Visa replacement tracker.

Several provinces still run business streams (check each one's current status):

You could also look at an employer-driven work permit, such as a C10 significant benefit permit, if your work would bring clear benefit to Canada.