How can I qualify under the Entrepreneur Program?

NOTE: The Federal Entrepreneur Program is on hold until further notice.

As an Entrepreneur application planning to reside anywhere in Canada, other than in the Province of Quebec, you must:Under the Federal Investor Program, you must have:

• Have a net worth of at least CAD$300,000, lawfully obtained;
• Have managerial and ownership experience in a qualifying business, as defined under the Regulations;
• Establish or acquire a qualifying Canadian business that you will actively manage and own at least 33.33 percent of equity; and
• Create a minimum of one new job for a Canadian or permanent resident in the business.

As an Entrepreneur applicant planning to reside in the Province of Quebec, you must:

• Have a net worth of at least CAD$300,000, lawfully obtained;
• Have at least two years of managerial experience during the last five years and control at least 25 percent of the capital equity in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business; and
• Submit a business project with the purpose of creating or acquiring a business in Quebec that you will manage and own at least 25 percent of capital equity with a value of at least CAD$100,000, or have acquired a business in Quebec that meets the same requirements.

Applicants for a Start-Up Visa must meet the following requirements:

• Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities);
• Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education, during which the applicant was in good standing at their educational institution;
• Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada;
• Plan to settle in a province or territory other than the Province of Quebec; and
• Pass Canadian security and medical clearances.