Overview
Investment-based residence and citizenship by investment programs in Canada. Requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes vary depending on your specific situation, nationality, and the type of residence permit you're seeking.
Available Investor Pathways
Canada Investor / Business Immigration — Start-Up Visa & Provincial Entrepreneur Streams
Canada federal investor landscape changed dramatically: federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) permanently closed 2014. NO passive capital-transfer programme at federal level. Primary federal business immigration route is Start-Up Visa Program (SUV), requiring entrepreneurs to secure endorsement from designated Canadian organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator). SUV is direct permanent residence pathway. CRITICAL 2025-2026 DEVELOPMENT: As of January 2026, IRCC no longer accepts new SUV work permit applications. Only applicants who received commitment certificate before January 1, 2026 may still apply for PR, with hard deadline June 30, 2026. Published PR processing time: 51 months (over 4 years). IRCC had 40,000+ applicants, was approving only approximately 1,000 per year. Redesigned, more selective entrepreneur programme expected to launch in 2026 with stricter eligibility and lower intake caps. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams vary by province. Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is partial provincial equivalent to passive investor visa: minimum net worth CAD $2,000,000; passive government-backed loan CAD $1,200,000 (5-year term, non-interest-bearing, refunded at maturity).
Eligibility
Start-Up Visa (Federal - EFFECTIVELY CLOSED): Innovative business idea with commercialization potential; Letter of Support + Commitment Certificate from designated VC fund (CAD $200K+), angel group (CAD $75K+), or business incubator (no $ minimum); hold ≥10% voting rights individually; applicants + organization hold >50% collectively; actively manage and operate business in Canada; Language CLB 5 in English or French (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF); settlement funds CAD $15,263 (single) → CAD $40,392 (family 7+); clean criminal record, medical exam, no inadmissibility; up to 5 business partners can apply under one application. STATUS AS OF JAN 2026: New applications NOT accepted; redesigned programme anticipated 2026. QIIP (Quebec, Provincial): Net worth ≥ CAD $2,000,000 (legally obtained, documented); CAD $1,200,000 passive government-backed 5-year loan (non-interest; refunded at maturity); ≥2 years senior business management experience in last 5 years; genuine intent to settle in Quebec; French language proficiency (B2 strongly expected); CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) required first. QIIP intake periods limited - verify current intake status at MIFI before applying.
Requirements
Start-Up Visa: Innovative business plan; Letter of Support + Commitment Certificate from designated Canadian organization (Designated VC Fund must commit minimum CAD $200,000; Designated Angel Investor Group must commit minimum CAD $75,000; Designated Business Incubator acceptance, no investment minimum); hold ≥10% voting rights; language test results (CLB 5 - IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF); settlement funds proof (CAD $15,263 single → CAD $40,392 family 7+); business incorporation documents; work experience documentation; passport; photos; police certificates; medical exam; application fees. As of April 1, 2024, each designated organization can support maximum 10 group applications per year. Approximately 84 designated organizations total. Up to 5 business partners can apply under one SUV application. QIIP: Net worth documentation (CAD $2,000,000 legally obtained); loan agreement (CAD $1,200,000, 5 years, government-backed, non-interest, refunded at maturity); business management experience proof (≥2 years in last 5 years); intent to settle in Quebec statement; French language test results (B2 strongly expected); Quebec CSQ application; passport; police certificates; medical exam.
Processing Time
Start-Up Visa federal: Pitch to designated organization + commitment 6-12 months; temporary work permit to enter Canada while waiting approximately 3-6 months; PR application officially 51 months over 4 years but stalled for most applicants. QIIP Quebec: CSQ assessment varies, limited intake windows open periodically; After CSQ IRCC PR processing approximately 24 months. PNP Entrepreneur streams: Expression of Interest + provincial nomination 6-18 months; After PNP nomination Express Entry ITA + approximately 6 months IRCC processing.
Validity Period
Start-Up Visa: Grants IMMEDIATE PERMANENT RESIDENCY upon final approval (not temporary visa). QIIP: CSQ → IRCC PR → permanent residency. PNP entrepreneur: Provincial nomination → Express Entry ITA → PR. Canadian Citizenship: 3 years (1,095 days) physical presence as PR; language test CLB 4 + citizenship knowledge test; dual citizenship permitted. Family: Spouse and dependent children under 22 included in PR application. NOTE: Canada has NO passive real estate investor pathway at federal level (unlike Portugal, Greece, Brazil). All business investment routes require active entrepreneurial involvement. Provincial Entrepreneur Investment Thresholds: Manitoba CAD $250,000 (Winnipeg Capital Region) or CAD $150,000 (elsewhere); New Brunswick CAD $250,000 investment + CAD $600,000 net worth + CAD $100,000 refundable deposit; Nova Scotia CAD $150,000 investment + CAD $600,000 net worth. NOTE: Saskatchewan and Ontario PERMANENTLY CLOSED entrepreneur streams in 2024-2025 due to reduced federal allocations. Canada reducing overall PR targets from 500,000 (2024) to 365,000 by 2027, intensifying competition.
Last updated: 3/1/2026
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