Ontario Entrepreneur Immigration — OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is Ontario's economic immigration program, designed to nominate individuals whose skills and experience can contribute to the province's economy.
Ontario previously operated an Entrepreneur Stream for foreign entrepreneurs interested in establishing or purchasing a business in the province. However, as part of the OINP redesign in 2026, Ontario removed the former streams and closed the previous Entrepreneur Stream to new applicants.
Applicants interested in establishing a business in Ontario should therefore review the current OINP pathways and federal business immigration options rather than relying on the former Entrepreneur Stream requirements.
Why Consider Business Immigration to Ontario?
- Access to one of Canada's largest economies
- Large and diverse consumer market
- Strong technology and business sectors
- Established transportation and business infrastructure
- Access to skilled talent
- Potential pathways to Canadian permanent residence through eligible immigration programs
About Ontario
Ontario is Canada's most populous province and has a highly diversified economy. Major sectors include:
- Technology
- Financial services
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Professional and business services
Toronto and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area are also major centres for finance, technology, entrepreneurship and international business.
Former OINP Entrepreneur Stream
The former OINP Entrepreneur Stream allowed eligible foreign entrepreneurs to propose establishing a new business or purchasing an existing business in Ontario.
The former program assessed factors such as:
- Business ownership and management experience
- Personal net worth
- Proposed business investment
- Business ownership percentage
- Active involvement in management
- Business viability
- Job creation
- Economic benefit to Ontario
These requirements should not be presented as current eligibility criteria because the Entrepreneur Stream has been closed. Ontario states that no further invitations are being issued under the former program streams.
Current Options for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in Ontario may need to consider other available federal or provincial immigration options based on their circumstances.
Potential routes can include:
- Federal Start-up Visa, where applicable
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
- Other federal business immigration pathways
- Current Ontario immigration streams, where the applicant meets the applicable requirements
The appropriate route depends on factors such as business experience, proposed business activity, ownership structure, investment capacity and immigration objectives.
How WorldVisaHelp Can Help
WorldVisaHelp can assist with:
- Business immigration eligibility assessment
- Review of available Canadian immigration pathways
- Business and investment immigration strategy
- Document checklist and preparation
- Forms and application preparation
- Business-plan documentation support
- Application filing and follow-up
- Relocation and post-landing support in Canada
Because Ontario's immigration programs are undergoing changes, applicants should verify that a stream is open before making an investment or submitting an Expression of Interest. Ontario's current OINP information states that its former streams have been closed following the 2026 redesign.