What are the main Canada business immigration routes from the UAE?

Start-Up Visa (SUV) for innovative founders with designated organization support; Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams to establish or buy a business; and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permits to open or staff a Canadian affiliate.

What are the SUV funding thresholds?

At least CAD 200,000 from a designated venture capital fund, or CAD 75,000 from a designated angel group, or acceptance by a designated incubator (no fixed minimum investment).

Do you help with incubator acceptance for SUV?

Yes—business model validation, pitch deck, projections, compliance package, and introductions to designated incubators aligned with your sector.

Do PNP entrepreneur streams require a fixed net worth and investment?

Yes, amounts vary by province and city. Many streams require a minimum net worth and investment commitment, job creation, and active management.

Can business routes lead to PR?

Yes. SUV is a PR pathway with a Letter of Support and IRCC approval. PNP entrepreneur streams can lead to provincial nomination and PR upon meeting performance conditions.

What proof of funds and documents are required?

Audited financials, bank statements, lawful source-of-funds evidence, corporate records, identity/civil documents, and a detailed business plan.

Why choose Cosmos Immigration for business routes?

Strategy first: We map you to the right pathway — SUV vs PNP vs ICT — based on capital, risk, timeline and PR goals.
Investor-grade documentation: Source-of-funds, audited financials, corporate records, compliant business plans.
Designated organization access: Pitch deck, projections and submission package for incubators/angels/VCs under SUV.
Execution support: Work permits, landings, post-arrival compliance, milestone tracking to PR.

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Choose your pathway

Start-Up Visa (SUV)

PR pathway with Letter of Support from a designated organization (incubator/angel/VC).

VC ≥ CAD 200kAngel ≥ CAD 75kIncubator: acceptance

PNP Entrepreneur

Establish or acquire a business. Net worth + investment vary by province; job creation and active management required.

Nomination → PR

ICT Work Permit

Transfer executives/managers/specialists to a Canadian affiliate; often a bridge to PR after operations begin.

See work permits

Start-Up Visa (SUV) — Incubator-first strategy

PR pathway for innovative founders supported by a designated organization (incubator, angel, or VC). Minimums: VC ≥ CAD 200,000, Angel ≥ CAD 75,000, or Incubator acceptance (no fixed minimum). We prioritize incubators for faster alignment.

Explore Start-Up Visa

PNP Entrepreneur & Business Streams

Establish or acquire a business in a province, meet net-worth, investment, and job-creation targets, then transition to PR via nomination. Requirements differ by province and change over time — we’ll match you to the right stream.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit

Open or staff a Canadian affiliate for executives, managers and specialized knowledge workers — often a PR bridge after Canadian operations begin.

Work Permit Options

LMIA-supported leadership

Where available under current policy, structure roles that meet program rules and genuine operational needs. We ensure wage levels, advertising and duties align to Canadian standards.

Canada ranks among the easiest places to start and scale a business thanks to strong institutions, skilled talent and market access. If you wish to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur or investor, pathways include the Start-Up Visa (SUV), provincial entrepreneur programs (PNPs), and corporate mobility routes such as the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT).

Historic and provincial programs include:

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) — operates periodically with specific conditions set by Quebec.
Quebec Entrepreneur & Quebec Self-Employed (stream rules vary over time).
Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur programs.
Federal Immigrant Investor — discontinued.
Federal Start-Up Visa program (active).

Essential documents for business immigration

Prepare a comprehensive file to demonstrate eligibility, business viability and lawful funds:

1) Passport & ID

Passport valid for the application period and civil status documents.

2) Net worth & source of funds

Audited statements, tax returns, bank/investment statements.
Share purchase/sale contracts, property deeds, loan agreements, inheritance/gift records (if applicable).

3) Business ownership & experience

Incorporation documents, licenses, share registers, organization charts.
Financials and management/ownership evidence (typically 2–5+ years).

4) Business plan & projections

Market analysis, staffing plan, NOC-aligned roles, wage levels, CAPEX/OPEX and cash-flow forecasts.

5) Language results

IELTS/CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French) where required by the program.

6) Police & medicals

Police certificates for all applicable jurisdictions and IRCC medicals when requested.

Program thresholds and documentary rules change. We align your file to the latest criteria and timing so documents don’t expire mid-process.

Note: Provincial entrepreneur streams evolve frequently (net worth, investment, jobs, language, age, regions). Treat the below as an overview; we’ll confirm current criteria and windows before filing.

Quebec Entrepreneur program

This program is applicable for foreign residents entering Quebec for business establishment

The program has been revamped and operates under streams for which an entrepreneur can apply for a CSQ:

Stream 1

Support from a business accelerator, incubator or a university entrepreneurship centre to open/manage a business in Quebec.

The business can be established by the candidate alone or with partners.
Stream 2

Operate or acquire a business; ownership/control thresholds apply along with minimum investment and net-worth criteria set by Quebec.
Application process

Business plan review (often with exploratory visit). If approved, proceed to federal security and medicals followed by visas, subject to conditions. French proficiency can provide advantages.

Quebec Self-Employed

Self-employed applicants create their own job by practicing a profession or commercial activity. Experience, settlement funds and business viability are assessed under Quebec’s grid.

Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur programs

Each province/territory selects entrepreneurs based on its economic needs. Typical factors: net worth, investment amount, job creation, language, active management, and residency intent.

Alberta

Agri-food, primary production and regional initiatives are priorities.
Minimum investment levels apply; relevant sector experience is important.

British Columbia

Competitive, diversified economy; strong ties with the U.S. and Asia.
Investment and job creation minimums apply; ownership/experience requirements enforced.

Manitoba

Entrepreneur Pathway and Farm Investor Pathway focus on regional job creation and viable plans.

Entrepreneur Pathway	Farm Investor Pathway
Business ownership/management experience	Farm ownership/management experience
Investment thresholds vary by region	Minimum farm investment and language proficiency
Job creation and residency factors	Commercial farm viability

Nova Scotia

Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur options; language, ownership and management tests apply.

Ontario

Corporate and Entrepreneur streams (investment, jobs, ownership, wage levels and sector lists apply).

Newfoundland and Labrador

International Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur; jobs, management and language thresholds apply.

Northwest Territories

Minimum investment varies by Yellowknife vs. outside; deposit and language requirements apply.

Prince Edward Island

Work Permit stream; net worth, management, language and job creation are typical factors.

Yukon

Experience, net worth and investment thresholds; NOC 0/A role and intent to settle.

Saskatchewan

1) Entrepreneur Category
- Investment, experience and job creation thresholds; regional bonuses may apply.
2) Farm Owner and Operator
- Net worth and exploratory visit; commercial farm plan required.
3) Young Farmer Stream
- Age, experience and net worth thresholds; employment generation expected.

Federal Immigrant Investor (closed)

The federal Immigrant Investor Program is discontinued. Current business routes are primarily SUV, PNP entrepreneur and corporate mobility options.

We will validate the current criteria and program status before filing to avoid outdated thresholds or closed windows.

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Investor & Business Immigration — FAQs

Start-Up Visa (SUV) — how does it work?

Innovative entrepreneurs obtain PR with a designated organization’s Letter of Support. Thresholds: VC ≥ CAD 200,000 or Angel ≥ CAD 75,000 or Incubator acceptance (no fixed minimum). We manage pitch, projections and compliance for DO submissions. See our SUV page.

What’s the difference between SUV, PNP entrepreneur and ICT?

SUV = PR route for innovative start-ups with DO backing. PNP entrepreneur = acquire/establish a provincial business with investment, net worth, jobs → nomination → PR. ICT = corporate transfer work permit to a Canadian affiliate; often a bridge to PR.

Typical net-worth and investment for PNP streams?

Varies by province and metro vs. regional locations. Programs commonly require a minimum net worth and investment plus job creation and active management. We match you to the best-fit stream and confirm current thresholds.

What documents prove lawful source-of-funds?

Audited financials, tax returns, bank statements, equity/asset sale contracts, property deeds, loan agreements, inheritance/gift records (where applicable) and clear money-flow trails.

Can I start with a work permit first?

Yes. Many founders/managers begin with ICT or LMIA-supported roles (where policy allows), launch operations, then pursue PR via PNP/SUV/Express Entry where eligible.

Do business routes require active management?

Generally yes. Entrepreneur streams require you to actively manage the Canadian business, meet milestones and create jobs at required wage levels.

Canada

Investor & Business Immigration (UAE/GCC)