Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OES) – Ontario Nominee Program

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream (OES) is aimed at individuals from outside Canada who want to start a business or buy an already existing business in Ontario.

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: Application Steps

The Entrepreneur Stream involves a series of steps before an applicant is granted permanent residency.

Successful applicants are initially awarded a temporary residency, with permanent residency dependent on the performance of the business against agreed targets.

Step 1: Make sure you satisfy all criteria and requirements of the OES

Ontario suggests candidates thoroughly self-evaluate before registering an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Primarily, this should include making sure you meet minimum requirements, but candidates are strongly advised to visit the province to assess business opportunities and make local contacts.

If applying with a business partner, both of you must meet the minimum requirements in order to apply under the OES.

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: Financial Requirements

1) Net Worth

• The minimum net worth of $800,000 if your proposed business will be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Outside the GTA, the minimum net worth is $400,000.
• Proposed business in either ICT or digital communications, minimum net worth is $400,000 anywhere in the province.

2) Investment and Ownership

• Invest at least $600,000 in an Ontario business and own at least 33 percent if the business is in GTA.
• Outside GTA, invest at least $200,000 and own at least 33 percent.
• Proposed business in either ICT or digital communications, invest at least $200,000, and own at least 33 percent anywhere in the province.

Ontario Entrepreneur Stream: Non-Financial Requirements

• At least 24 months of full-time business experience in the past 60 months, as an owner or senior manager.
• Create two full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in the proposed company is located inside the GTA. Businesses located outside the GTA, or in either ICT or digital communications, must create one full-time job.
• Make an exploratory visit to Ontario 12 months prior to application. Note: This only applies to those buying an existing business.
• Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.
• Physically reside in Ontario for at least 75 % of the time you are managing the business.

Step 2: Complete and submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI)

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is an online form by which the applicant states an intention to immigrate to the province of Ontario under the OES.

It must be submitted online via the OINP e-Filing Portal and must be filled out accurately and honestly.

An EOI is valid for a year from the date of receipt. If it expires, you are welcome to submit another one.

The applicant is assessed and given a score using a points system.  Points are awarded based on:

• Experience Factors
• Investment factors
• Human Capital factors

This factor is further divided into two sections: Business experience must be:

• Ownership experience (must have owned at least 33% of the business and have been actively involved in management) OR
• Senior management experience (decision-making responsibilities in areas such as operations, finance, sales, marketing, human resources, etc.)
• In the past 5 years
• The minimum required is 2 years: if you have below 24 months of experience, you are not eligible for the OES

Specific Experience must be:

• In a high growth business or in an export trade business
• As a business owner OR senior management
• Within the last 5 years

This criterion is further divided into personal net worth, investment amount, job creation, business visit, targeted sectors, and business location

Personal net worth must be legally acquired and verifiable. It includes all assets minus all liabilities, yours and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s, if applicable.

The minimum required is $800,000 if the business is located in GTA, or $400,000 if the business is located outside GTA or operates in ICT/Digital communications.

The investment amount must be of minimum $600,000 if the business is in GTA OR at least $200,000 if outside GTA or operates in ICT/Digital communications.

The main applicant must own one-third of the business. If applicable, the spouse/common-law partner may own equity in the business.

If you have a business partner, they must also meet the same thresholds and own at least one-third of the business.

Some types of investments are ineligible:

• Cash, cash equivalents, or working capital
• Wage payments made to yourself and family members

Job creation may also provide points under this factor. The minimum requirement is to create two full-time permanent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents paid at the median wage level.

The NOC of the positions you create also receives points. There is no minimum requirement, but NOC C and D will receive no points.

An exploratory visit to Ontario is optional for those who create a new business, but mandatory for those who purchase an existing business. It must be done within the last year prior to the application.

Further points are awarded if your business is in one of the following sectors:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Chemical and biochemical
• Cleantech
• Financial Services
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Industrial Automation and Robotics
• Information technology
• Life Sciences
• Mining
• Tourism

Business location is also important, although not a mandatory requirement. The OINP awards point based on the size of the areas where the business is located.

Human Capital factors

The human capital factor provides points for the level of education you completed and the proficiency level you obtained in English or in French.

No minimum level of education is required for the OES, but points are given only for post-secondary diplomas or degrees.

If the education is not obtained in Canada, you must provide an Education Credential Assessment of your highest education level achieved.

A language test is also not mandatory, but points are given if you achieve a minimum of CLB/NCLC 4 in all four language abilities, in English or in French, at the time of nomination.

Step 3: Invitation to apply

Ontario makes periodic draws and selects registrants from the EOI pool.

Candidates who are selected may then submit an application for nomination under the OES.

Step 4: Submit the application

Once an applicant is invited to apply, they will need to submit a business case along with the necessary forms and supporting documents within 90 days.

You must provide a review report of your personal net worth, made by a qualified vendor approved by the OINP.

There is a $3,500 application processing fee. If you are applying with a business partner, they must also pay the processing fee.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Step 5: Application assessment

Once the fee and all required documents are received, the application will be assessed.

Applicants, and their business partners if applicable, will be required to attend a mandatory interview, in person, at OINP offices.

Step 6: Sign Performance Agreement

If your application is approved, you will be asked to sign a Performance Agreement. The Performance Agreement will outline the rules that must be followed in order for you, and your partner if applicable, to be nominated for permanent residence.

Step 7: Before you arrive: temporary work permit

Once you sign the Performance Agreement, you will be sent a Letter of Confirmation. This letter will allow you to apply for a Temporary Work Permit from the Canadian government. If you meet all the relevant criteria of the Canadian federal government, you will receive a temporary Work Permit.

Step 8: After you arrive: 20 months for business establishment

Once you obtain a temporary work permit, you should move to Ontario and begin establishing your business as soon as possible. You must inform the immigration processing office of your arrival in Ontario within 7 days of arrival. Within 18-20 months of arriving in Ontario, you must submit a report showing that you are abiding by all the rules of the OES and the terms of your Performance Agreement.

Step 9: Nomination for permanent residence

If your report is approved, you will be nominated for permanent residence by the Ontario government. The holder of a nomination certificate may submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to the federal government as long as the nominee continues to abide by the performance agreement and the requirements of the OES mentioned above.

Step 10: Application for permanent residence, plus three years of monitoring

If you obtain permanent residence, you will be monitored for an additional period of 36 months to make sure that you continue to abide by all the rules of the OES and the terms of your performance agreement.

Dependants

The following dependents of key staff members can be included in an application under Ontario Entrepreneur Stream:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner
• Dependent children who are:
  • Younger than 22 and do not have a spouse or common-law partner OR
  • Older than 22 are dependent on their parents due to physical or mental illness.
  • Dependent children of dependent children.

Optimize your chances of success!

What are your options for Canadian Immigration? You can consider any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:

• Provincial Nominee Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Humanitarian and Compassionate
• Study to Immigrate
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
• How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
• Family Sponsorship
• Spousal Sponsorship
• Express Entry
• Federal Skilled Workers Program
• Caregivers
• Canada Business Immigration Programs
• Refugee and Asylum
• Visa rejections/Appeals

Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!

For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.

We advise you to complete the assessment questionnaire now in order to properly plan your application.

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