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Frequently asked questions

FAQ on Canadian investor and entrepreneur immigration in 2026: what's open, how much capital, buying a home, bringing family and how long PR takes.

Peyto Lake, Alberta
Peyto Lake, Alberta Photo: KaleighAlysse / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

About programs

Is there still an investment-for-PR program in Canada?

No federal "invest for PR" program is taking new applications (checked October 19, 2026). The Start-up Visa and Self-Employed programs are paused; IRCC has promised a new pilot without details yet. The main route today is provincial entrepreneur streams.

Which provinces still have entrepreneur streams?

From official pages: Manitoba, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador have entrepreneur streams with detailed requirements. Ontario has closed its older streams. British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia must be checked directly.

What about Quebec?

Quebec has its own investor and entrepreneur programs, selected by Quebec and not part of the PNP. This section doesn't cover them.

The Stanley Park seawall, Vancouver
The Stanley Park seawall, Vancouver Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

About capital

How much do I need?

It depends on the province. Minimum net worth examples: Alberta (Rural) CAD 300,000, Manitoba CAD 500,000, Newfoundland and Labrador CAD 600,000; minimum investment from CAD 100,000 to 250,000. Competitive applications are usually above the minimums.

Can I use borrowed money?

Provinces require assets owned by you or your spouse, with proof of lawful origin. Ask about the province's specific rules.

About family

Can my children go to school?

Yes. During the work permit stage they need study permits; once you have PR they attend like Canadian students.

Can I buy a home?

The ban on non-Canadians buying homes runs to January 1, 2027 (per the 2024 announcement), with exceptions for work permit holders with at least 183 days left buying one property, or homes outside urban areas.

The Distillery District, Toronto
The Distillery District, Toronto Photo: Mathew Ingram / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

About time

How long until PR?

There's no fixed timeline. It includes provincial processing, running the business under your commitments, and IRCC's PR processing. See IRCC's processing times tool; no one can promise a timeline.

What does Navio do in investor applications?

Navio provides program information and document support (collection, preparation, review, translation, tracking). Navio is not an immigration representative and does not give legal advice.

Official sources

  1. Start-up Visa Program (IRCC) ↗
  2. Self-Employed Persons Program (IRCC) ↗
  3. Immigrate as a provincial nominee (IRCC) ↗
  4. Business owners seeking only temporary residence – [R205(a) – C11] – International Mobility Program (IRCC) ↗
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