Business Immigrant Programs: Federal v PNP

By: Roland Luo & Chris Munroe 

August 18, 2011 

Over the past 15 years, there has been a  big shift in Chinese immigration to 

Canada from skilled workers to investors and business people.  Potential business 

immigrants should be aware of differences between the Federal Business Immigration 

program and the Provincial Nominee Programs. 

Federal Business Immigrant Program 

The Federal Business Immigrant Program has two streams: entrepreneur and 

investor.  Both streams require applicants to have managed and controlled a qualifying 

business for at least two years, and have minimum net worth requirements. The main 

differences between the two streams are the significantly lower minimum net worth 

requirement for entrepreneurs and the conditions entrepreneur applicants must meet 

once approved and admitted as permanent  residents. Failure to meet these 

requirements may result in the applicants’ permanent resident status being revoked.

  

As of July 2011, the Federal Government has temporarily suspended processing 

new entrepreneur stream applications in an effort to reduce accumulated backlog. 

Applicants in the Federal Investor program have no post-admission 

requirements, however they must make an $800,000 investment with the government.  

This investment will be returned, without interest, after  five years.  Successful 

permanent residents in the investor stream are also free to pursue whatever interests or 

opportunities may arise once admitted. 

It is important to keep in mind that a new limit was put into place for the Federal 

Investor program. As of July 4, 2011, this new 700-case intake limit has already been 

met so no more applicants will be accepted until July 1, 2012.

Provincial Nominee Programs 

 Fortunately, many provinces have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) which in 

many cases can be a faster route for new  business immigrants. Each province has 

different streams in their PNP to meet the specific needs of their region.

In British Columbia there are three business immigrant PNP  streams: Strategic 

Projects, Business Skills, and Regional Business.  All  streams require successful 

applicants to actively engage in the management of a business in B.C., sign 

agreements with the provincial  government outlining their business plan, and create a 

number of jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.  Successful applicants are 

only issued a Temporary Work Permit until the requirements of the performance 

agreement are met (usually in about two years). 

The Strategic Projects stream is best suited for foreign companies that wish to 

establish a presence in B.C.  because it allows successful applicant companies to bring 

up to five executives who wish to become permanent residents.   

The Regional Business and Business Skills  streams are similar in many ways.  

They are designed to allow  a single applicant the opportunity to purchase or start a 

business in the province.  Both streams offer fast-track options whereby an applicant 

can deposit  $125,000 with the government in return for immediate permanent resident 

status.  The deposit is returned, without interest, once the terms of the performance 

agreement are met.  The Regional Business stream has a lower required net worth and 

investment but the business established under this stream must be located outside of 

the Vancouver and Abbotsford metropolitan areas. 

Business immigrants should also keep in  mind that not all business ventures 

qualify for admittance under the B.C. PNP.  The program is designed to specifically 

address the needs of the BC economy, and as  such only certain kinds of businesses 

will be considered.  These include: manufacturing and resource-extraction, tourism, 

technology and research, and exporting goods and services.

British Columbia is a popular immigration destination because of its mild climate, 

vibrant economy, and its business immigrant streams. British Columbia traditionally also 

has a large and well-integrated Chinese community. 

Alberta, on the other hand,  does not offer any PNP  business or investor 

programs.  For those who are unable to meet the B.C. PNP requirements, some other 

provinces do offer attractive options.   The Saskatchewan Entrepreneur PNP, for 

example, only requires an investment of $150,000, a net worth of $300,000, and a 

$75,000 deposit, making it a more affordable  option to the B.C.  programs.  The only 

problem is having to survive the prairie winter.