Ontario Investment and Entrepreneurship (OINP)
The Ontario Entrepreneurship Program (OINP) is a unique opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs from around the world to obtain Canadian permanent residency through investment and job creation in the thriving province of Ontario.
Advantages of OINP:
- Direct Path to Permanent Residency: OINP, unlike other immigration programs, leads directly to Canadian permanent residency, provided applicants meet the terms of an agreement with the Ontario government.
- Dynamics and flexibility: OINP allows you to bring your business idea to life or buy an existing business in Ontario.
- Government support: The Ontario government supports immigrant entrepreneurs through advisory services, training programs and financial resources.
Application steps:
Step 1: Evaluation and invitation
- Complete and submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) form online
- Receive an invitation from the Ontario government if you get the necessary points in the scoring system
- Complete the online form, send the documents and pay the application fee
- Participate in face-to-face interview
- Review and evaluation of the applicant by the Government of Ontario
- Signing an agreement with the government that includes commitments to invest and create jobs
Step 2: Setting up a business and permanent residency
- Obtaining a temporary work permit and entering Canada
- Starting or buying a business in the province of Ontario
- Nomination and application for permanent residence after meeting the terms of the agreement
- 36-month government supervision of business performance after obtaining residency
Requirements:
- Present a strong and persuasive business plan
- Management experience and relevant entrepreneurial experience
- Significant investment in business
- Committed to creating jobs in Ontario
- Proficiency in English or French at an acceptable level
Application options:
- Independent: Applicant applies for OINP alone.
- Business Partnership: Applicant can apply for OINP with an eligible business partner.
Is OINP right for you?
If you have a strong business idea, entrepreneurial background and desire to invest in Canada, OINP could be the ideal path for you. For more information and to review your eligibility, visit the OINP website and consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
In cases where candidates intend to apply with a business partner, both individuals must meet all criteria for each factor.
| Requirements | Conditions |
| At least 24 months of full-time business experience within the last 60 months as a business owner or senior manager. | Work experience |
If the proposed business is located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): CAD $800,000. Recommended business if outside the GTA: CAD $400,000. If the proposed business is in the ICT/digital communications sector: $400,000, regardless of location. | net assets
|
Personal investment if the proposed business is located in the GTA: CAD 600,000 + minimum equity ownership of 33.3%. If the proposed business is outside the GTA: $200,000 + minimum equity ownership of 33.3%. If the proposed business is in the ICT/digital communications sector: $200,000 + minimum shareholding of 33.3% regardless of location. | Amount of personal investment |
| Job creation If the proposed business is located in the GTA: At least two permanent, full-time jobs for Canadian citizens/permanent residents. If the proposed business is located outside the GTA or if the proposed business is in the ICT/digital communications sector: At least one permanent, full-time job for Canadian citizens/permanent residents. | Employment |
| Individuals intending to purchase an existing business must have at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the last 12 months prior to the application date. | Business visit |
OINP Ontario Entrepreneurship Program Scoreboard
Human Capital
The maximum score for the human capital section is 80 points.
Business management experience (25 points)
If a candidate has both business ownership experience and senior management experience within 24 months out of the last 60 months, he must choose business owner or senior management experience.
| Score | The amount of experience | working title |
| Not eligible | Less than 24 months | Business owner |
| 13 | 24-47 months | |
| 19 | 48-59 months | |
| 25 | 60 months | |
| Not eligible | Less than 24 months | Chief |
| 13 | 24-47 months | |
| 19 | 48-59 months | |
| 25 | 60 months |
Minimum requirements for jobs
A business proposing to participate in the Ontario Entrepreneurship Program must meet the following general requirements:
- The purpose of the proposed business must be to make a profit through the sale of goods and/or services.
- Primary sources of income should come from active (earned) income, not passive (unearned) income.
- The proposed business must comply with Canadian legal requirements and all regulatory industry and licensing requirements that govern its legal practice.
- Must comply with all Ontario labor laws, including, but not limited to, employment standards, health and safety and labor relations laws.
- Must be considered a permanent business in Ontario. And the applicant must submit a business plan.
Requirements for buying an existing business:
- Any existing business must have been in operation by the same owner or group of owners for the past 60 months prior to the applicant’s purchase of the business.
- Proof of ownership or a letter of intent to purchase the business or sales contract is required.
- The purchase shall fully transfer ownership from the previous owner(s) to the applicant, its business partner, if any, and/or any third party investor(s), if any.
- The proposed business must not already be owned by current or former OINP business stream candidates.
- Applicant must maintain all current permanent full-time employment
- For businesses located in the GTA, if purchasing an existing business, the applicant must create two new permanent positions in addition to current employees.
- For businesses located outside the GTA, if purchasing an existing business, the applicant must create a new permanent position in addition to existing employees.
- The applicant must maintain the current minimum wage level and terms of employment of existing employees. And the proposed business plan should show how the applicant intends to grow the business.
- At least 10% of the minimum personal investment must be dedicated to improving or expanding the business in Ontario.
Minimum requirements for Ontario Entrepreneurship Program nominations
- Entrepreneurs must meet the following requirements to be nominated after establishing a business and executing a performance agreement. Successfully obtaining a Certificate of Nomination allows applicants to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
- Entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria when applying for Ontario government nomination after establishing a business, not when applying for the OINP entrepreneurship stream.
- Entrepreneurs must demonstrate official language proficiency at Canadian Language Standard (CLB) 4 or equivalent.
- CLB 4 can be demonstrated through the following tests: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) general test scores, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) for English,
- To meet the residency requirements of this program, applicants must be physically resident in Ontario for 75% (nine months of the year) of the period in which they establish the business in Ontario (ie, the performance agreement period).
- Entrepreneurs must be actively involved in the day-to-day management of business activities.
Note: Candidates must also continue to comply with the terms of the performance agreement, including the information provided in the EOI and business plan, for up to 20 months after entering Ontario.
Non-eligible occupations
Ontario will not consider applications where there is a risk of little or no short-term economic benefit to the province. As a result, the proposed business cannot be included in the list of eligible businesses below.
Non-eligible jobs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
- Gas stations
- Tire recycling
- Metal scrap recycling
- Pawnbrokers
- Bed and breakfast rental
- Holding companies
- Laundries
- Automatic car wash operation
- Payday loans and related businesses
- Businesses previously owned/operated by current or former OINP Business Stream candidates
- Businesses that engage in the production, distribution or sale of pornography or sexually immoral products or services or the provision of sexual services.
Non-eligible occupations outside the GTA
Tire recycling
- Metal scrap recycling
- Pawnbrokers
- Holding companies
- Laundries
- Automatic car wash operation
- Payday loans and related businesses
- Businesses previously owned/operated by current or former OINP Business Stream candidates
- Businesses that engage in the production, distribution or sale of pornography or sexually immoral products or services or the provision of sexual services.
