Permanent residence
Business immigration for entrepreneurs and investors
Business immigration covers routes for entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed people. On 7 October 2026, IRCC listed both the Start-up Visa Program and the self-employed persons program as paused. Several provinces still run entrepreneur streams, and some business owners can come on a work permit first. We tell you what is actually open for you.
Who is business immigration for?
- Business owners and senior managers who want to start or buy a business in Canada.
- Investors who want to know which routes are taking applications now.
- Self-employed people in cultural or athletic fields waiting for the federal program to reopen.
How does business immigration to Canada work?
- We go through your business background, net worth and plans.
- We check which federal and provincial routes are open today.
- If a provincial entrepreneur stream fits, we take you through the expression of interest, business plan and agreement.
- Where a work permit is possible, we prepare it and plan the later step to permanent residence.
What documents do business applicants need?
- Proof you own and manage a business.
- Proof of your net worth and where the money came from.
- A business plan that meets the stream's rules.
- Personal documents, language results and police certificates.
IRCC sets the exact list for each application. We give you a checklist for your own file.
Why are business immigration applications refused?
- The source of the money cannot be traced.
- The business plan does not look workable or does not match your experience.
- Not meeting the performance agreement in a provincial stream.
- Applying to a program that is closed or paused.
How can Blue Chip help?
- We only suggest routes that are open right now.
- We review your business plan and fund records before they go to a province.
- We plan the timing between a work permit and permanent residence.
Common questions
Is the Start-up Visa still open?
No. IRCC lists it as paused. Only people with a valid 2025 commitment certificate who applied by 30 June 2026 could still apply.
What about the self-employed program?
Also paused. We will tell you if it reopens.
Are there provincial options?
Yes. Several provinces have entrepreneur streams, each with its own investment and net worth rules. They open and close, so we check before you start.
Official pages
Fees, processing times and income figures change often. Check them on the official pages:
- Start-up Visa Program (IRCC)
- Self-employed persons program (IRCC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (IRCC)
- Check processing times (IRCC)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no one can guarantee an outcome. Rules checked against canada.ca in October 2026.
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