Ontario Entrepreneur Stream

• Must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months as a business owner or as a senior manager
• Net worth:
  • $800,000 CAD if the proposed business is within GTA;
  • $400,000 CAD if outside of GTA;
  • $400,000 CAD if the proposed business is in the information and communications technology/ digital communications sector, regardless of location.
• Personal investment funds:
  • $600,000 CAD if the proposed business is within GTA
  • $200,000 CAD if outside of GTA
  • $200,000 CAD and at least of one third of the equity in the business, if in the information and communications technology/digital communications sector.
• Actively involved in the management of the business
• Capital investment purpose is to make profit.
• Job Creation:
  • Must create at least two permanent full-time jobs for Canadians or permanent residents, if the business will be inside GTA
  • Must create at least one such job if outside GTA or in the information and communication technology or digital communications sector, regardless of location.
• If purchasing an existing business:
  • Must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario within 12 months
  • The business must have been in continuous operation by the same owner(s) for the previous 60 months
  • Ownership must be completely transferred to the applicant or any business partner
  • Must use at least 10% of the personal investment towards improving or expanding the business in Ontario
  • Must keep all current permanent full-time employees

• Business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services
• Business must comply with all relevant Canadian and Ontario legal, regulatory and licensing requirements.
• Business must be permanent. Project-based and seasonal business are not eligible.
• The place of business must in Ontario at all time.
• Not in the list of following:
  • automated car wash business
  • holding companies
  • laundromats
  • pawnbrokers
  • pay day loan and related businesses
  • scrap metal recycling
  • tire recycling
  • a business involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
  • businesses which have been previously owned/operated by current or former OINP business stream nominees

If in GTA, the following business are also ineligible:

• existing franchises in Ontario (new foreign franchises expanding into Ontario are permitted)
• gas stations
• bed and breakfasts