Canadian residency by investment covers immigration programmes for entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed people. These programmes are run by the Canadian federal government as well as by provincial and territorial governments.
The programmes are aimed at entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed people who wish to do business in the Canadian market and, through that, obtain permanent residence for themselves and their family to live and work in the country long term.
Contents
Overview
Update, September 2026:the two federal routes described in this article are closed. The federal Self-Employed Persons Programme paused intake on 30/04/2024, with no reopening date announced. The Start-up Visa stopped accepting new applications on 01/01/2026 and was paused on 30/06/2026. Provincial and Quebec entrepreneur routes remain open to applications. Status as announced byImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Canada’s residency by investment programmes aim to attract individuals capable of making a substantial contribution to the economy. They are designed to drive economic development by attracting investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people with venture capital, substantial business experience and entrepreneurial skills.
These Canadian residency by investment programmes also aim to develop new commercial opportunities in the country and improve Canada’s access to growing international markets, by welcoming immigrants who understand those markets and their particular requirements and customs.
If business immigration suits the investor’s experience and objectives, there are several routes to choose from. Depending on where the investor intends to live, they may apply through one of the programmes offered by a particular province, such as Quebec’s business immigration programmes, or through federal government programmes.
Considering a residency programme? The Prosperous Living Investment team assesses your profile free of charge and advises on the pathway that fits your goals.
Programmes for investors
The Canadian residency by investment programme for investors currently applies only to the Canadian province of Quebec.
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Programme (QIIP) is the only passive investment programme in Canada and one of the best-known passive investment programmes in the world. Successful applicants need only place the investment with the Quebec government, with no requirement to run a business in Quebec.
Programmes for entrepreneurs
Canada makes it possible for international entrepreneurs to take part in the Canadian economy by investing in, building, acquiring and managing their own business in the country. Through this, the entrepreneur and their family are given the means to become permanent residents of the country.
Quebec Entrepreneur Programme
Quebec Entrepreneur Programmewithin Canada’s residency by investment framework is designed to give eligible business owners and managers the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The condition is that they can create or acquire an agricultural, commercial or industrial business in the province of Quebec.
Provincial Nominee Programme entrepreneur streams
The provinces offer a number of Canadian residency by investment routes for entrepreneurs within theirProvincial Nominee Program (PNP)Through one of these categories, immigrant entrepreneurs can settle in a particular province.
The Self-Employed Persons Programme
The federal government and the provinces offer Canadian residency by investment programmes for self-employed individuals in certain occupations.
Federal programme
The programme is paused from 30/04/2024 until January 2027 (expected).
To be eligible for theCanadian Self-Employed Persons Programme, the applicant must demonstrate relevant experience in the fields of agriculture, the arts or athletics. This experience must show an ability to be successfully self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to their field.
Programme in Quebec
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Programmeis designed to give eligible individuals the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residence, on condition that they can practise a profession or carry on a trade on their own account in the province of Quebec.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provinces and territories across Canada operateProvincial Nominee Program (PNP), allowing them to nominate immigration candidates who can support the provincial economy. Some provinces and territories offer immigration streams dedicated to self-employed people.
Start-up Visa programme
Start-up Visa programmeis a Canadian residency by investment route granting permanent residence to immigrant entrepreneurs while supporting them in building their career in Canada. It is one of the more prominent Canadian residency by investment programmes of recent years.
The programme encourages immigrant entrepreneurs to grow their company in Canada. Successful applicants partner with private-sector organisations in Canada, from which they can obtain funding, guidance and expertise to open and run a business in Canada.
Find out about the Start-up Visa programme on the Government of Canada websitehere.
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