OntarioOINPEntrepreneurStream–Closed

Advising UAE residents on Canadian immigration from our Dubai office.

This programme is closed

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is not accepting applications. Ontario's own page for the stream now carries two statements: that the page is no longer current and is provided for archival and research purposes, and that the Entrepreneur Stream is not accepting applications.

The closure is part of a wider OINP redesign into a consolidated Workforce Priority Stream. No reopening date has been given.

Why it closed

In October 2024 the federal government halved Provincial Nominee Program allocations for 2025, from 110,000 to 55,000. Several provinces responded by closing or restricting their business and entrepreneur streams, which use nominations while creating relatively few jobs per nomination. Ontario closed the Entrepreneur Stream outright and is restructuring the whole OINP.

PNP allocations were partly restored for 2026, to 91,500. Ontario has not reopened the stream.

What it required, for reference

These figures are historical.

Requirement	Inside the GTA	Outside the GTA, or ICT sector
Minimum investment	CAD $600,000	CAD $200,000
Minimum net worth	CAD $800,000	CAD $400,000
Jobs to create	2 full-time	1 full-time

Applicants also needed two years of business ownership or senior management experience in the past five years, at least 33.3% ownership, CLB 4 in English or French, and had to live in Ontario and actively manage the business. No deposit was required — it was a performance-based stream.

A note on the CAD $200,000 figure: it applied only to businesses outside the GTA or in the ICT sector, and it is now historical either way.

Routes into Canada that are still open

Canada has not closed down — the money-based federal routes closed, while the skills and provincial routes grew. For 2026 the federal government raised Provincial Nominee Program admissions to 91,500 (up from 55,000 in 2025) and held total permanent residence at 380,000.

Provincial business streams still accepting applications:

• British Columbia — Entrepreneur Immigration, Base stream — from CAD $200,000
• British Columbia — Entrepreneur Immigration, Regional stream — from CAD $100,000
• Prince Edward Island — Work Permit Stream — from CAD $150,000
• Newfoundland & Labrador — International Entrepreneur — from CAD $200,000
• Nova Scotia — Entrepreneur stream — from CAD $100,000
• Northwest Territories — Business Stream — from CAD $100,000
• New Brunswick — Business Immigration Stream — from CAD $150,000
• Manitoba — Business Investor Stream, Entrepreneur Pathway
• Alberta — Self-Employed Farmer Stream — net worth and farm equity of CAD $500,000; very limited 2026 allocation
• Yukon — Business Nominee Program — from CAD $300,000

Skilled and employment routes:

• Express Entry — four new occupation categories were added for 2026
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Global Talent Stream — two-week work permit processing

Speak to a XIPHIAS adviser about which of these fits your profile.

OINP Entrepreneur Stream

One of Canada’s main economic hubs, Ontario is an attractive destination for immigrants worldwide. It boasts the best healthcare facilities, educational institutions and employment opportunities. Ontario is the home of Canada’s capital Ottawa.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Program attracts individuals with business experience willing to establish a new business or purchase an existing one in Ontario. The OINP Entrepreneur stream targets entrepreneurs with the vision, expertise, and financial capability to start or expand a business that will contribute to Ontario’s economy and create job opportunities for its local residents. Successful applicants under the entrepreneur stream in Ontario are nominated by the Ontario Government for Canadian permanent residency, provided they meet the requirements and commit to fulfilling their business obligations in the province.

Ontario Business Investment Immigration

The Ontario PNP program, as mentioned above, is meant to invite financially well-off immigrants with a well-thought-out business plan and intention to establish their own business in Ontario. The main target of the Ontario business immigration stream tends to be experienced business owners and senior business managers who want to settle in Ontario. This is one of the most efficient pathways to obtaining a Canadian Permanent Residence.

There are a few criteria for applicants that they must fulfil to demonstrate their Expression of Interest. This includes business experience, net worth, criminal history, the number of jobs created by them, etc.

Let us learn more about the Ontario Investment Visa immigration Program as we go on.

• 3 major factors that impact the immigrations in Ontario

Ontario Entrepreneur’s benefits with this program

For any business professional, global expansion is a profitable opportunity, which the OINP offers. With the Ontario Entrepreneur Program Points Calculator, individuals can assess their eligibility based on specific criteria. Meeting the Ontario Entrepreneur Program requirements opens doors to various benefits, such as

• The Entrepreneur can visit Ontario to gauge the situation before making a decision.
• They get a temporary work visa during which they can set up their business and start managing the establishment right away.
• After the entrepreneur addresses all the rules and regulations, they get a nomination from the province for Permanent residency in Canada.
• Entrepreneurs can plan their businesses before proceeding.
• This allows the entrepreneur to spread their business wings.
• The main applicant can bring their immediate family along with them.
• Children in Canada get access to free education
• Every resident and citizen in Canada is provided with unlimited healthcare benefits.
• The business owners get easy access to the whole of North American markets.

By making use of the Ontario Entrepreneur Program business owners can access the support needed to succeed in Ontarios market. Whether they aim to launch a business or grow an established one this program paves the way, for success providing chances, for development and prosperity.

Ontario Visa Immigration Process - Express Entry

The Ontario Immigration Visa process offers a pathway for individuals looking to settle in the communities of the province. Programs such as the Ontario Investment Visa Immigration program provide chances for immigrants to contribute to the development and cultural diversity of Ontario. The OINP investment visa serves as an option for investors and entrepreneurs seeking residency while also boosting the economy.

By grasping the details of the Ontario Visa Immigration process, individuals can smoothly navigate through Express Entry and other relevant pathways, ensuring their chances of being nominated for Permanent Residence in Ontario. Whether pursuing business endeavors or exploring job opportunities, The Ontario government embraces newcomers with warmth, promoting an environment of innovation and inclusivity by offering several streams that align well with Ontario’s labor market.

• Step 1 – Submit application through the Express Entry portal along with right documents
• Step 2 – Submit Expression of interest.
• Step 3- receive Invitation to apply for Nomination
• Step 4 – Submit application with the province for Nomination
• Step 5 – Decision from the Province about the nomination
• Step 6 – Entering into agreements with the Province
• Step 9 – Obtain nomination from the province
• Step 10 – Submission of PR application with IRCC
• Step 11 – Obtain Permanent Residency

Get in touch with our Ontario Business Investment Visa Consultants in Dubai, UAE.

Navigating through the OINP Business Investment Visa process can be hectic and frustrating when you do not have the best guidance, which is what XIPHIAS’s OINP visa consultants are here for. We will guide you at every step of the Visa application and processing period, preparing every necessary document and aligning your background with the eligibility criteria. Our Ontario business visa consultants will ensure you have the smoothest transition to your settlement in Ontario. Reach out to our Immigration experts, who boast over fifteen years of experience, for the most accurate and efficient services. And you can... just relax while we make sure you have a hassle-free experience.

Talk to a Canada immigration consultant in Dubai

XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families on Canadian permanent residency since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents applying from the Emirates. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022.

If you want a straight answer on whether this route suits your profile, our immigration consultants in Dubai will give you one — including when the answer is no.

• Book a consultation
• Canada immigration consultants in Dubai
• Canada PR from Dubai

Sources

Every figure and date on this page comes from an official government source:

• Government of Ontario — OINP Entrepreneur Stream (archived)
• IRCC — Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
• IRCC — Notice: Supplementary Information for the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan

Checked 29 September 2026.