Canadian permanent residence by investment

What changed in 2026

On 19 December 2025 the Government of Canada paused its federal entrepreneur programs. From 1 January 2026 no new start-up visa applications are accepted, and those who received a commitment certificate from a fund or incubator in 2025 were allowed to apply for permanent residence until 30 June 2026. The self-employed program is paused indefinitely. A new pilot for entrepreneurs with stronger funding and businesses has been promised instead, but as of autumn 2026 its criteria, quotas and application process have not been published.

The 2026-2028 plan provides for about 500 people a year in federal business immigration. Permanent residence fees rose from 30 April 2026. So the main routes through capital are now Quebec and the provinces. Recent news is collected in Canada immigration changes in September 2026.

Which routes work now

We compared European alternatives to the start-up visa in European start-up visas 2026.

Quebec investor program

This is the only program in Canada that grants permanent residence for a passive investment. You need a net worth of at least CAD 2,000,000, about $1,403,200, and spouses can combine their assets. Through an authorised intermediary you invest CAD 1,000,000, about $701,600, for 5 years, and the money is returned at the end of the term without interest. Another CAD 200,000, about $140,400, is a non-refundable contribution to business support programs.

Besides money you need at least 2 years of management experience in the last 5 years, at least a secondary school diploma and French at level 7 on the Quebec scale, that is confident spoken French. A work permit is issued first, and within 2 years the family must live in Quebec for at least 12 months, with the applicant there for at least 6 of them. Applications are accepted at any time with no cap. Quebec's fee since 1 January 2026 is CAD 18,241, about $12,800, for the applicant, with nothing extra for the spouse and children.

Entrepreneurs in the provinces

British Columbia requires a net worth of at least CAD 600,000, about $421,000, an investment in your own business of at least CAD 200,000, about $140,400, and one new full-time job for a local resident. You first register and wait for an invitation, then receive a work permit and run the business for 18-20 months. After the final report the province issues a nomination, which is used for the federal permanent residence application. Basic English or French is needed by the final report. The province's 2026 allocation is 5,254 nominations across all programs, well below 8,000 in 2024.

Manitoba requires a net worth of at least CAD 500,000, about $350,800, and an investment from CAD 250,000, about $175,400, in Winnipeg or from CAD 150,000, about $105,300, elsewhere. Provinces select through draws with quotas and criteria change every year, so we match the program to your business and budget.

What it costs

Federal fees apply from 30 April 2026; the spouse and children pay separately.

How to prove the source of funds

The main reason for refusals in business programs is money whose origin cannot be shown. Capital is explained through its history: salary and dividends are backed by tax returns, the sale of a business or property by contracts and statements showing the funds received, inheritance and gifts by the relevant documents. The chain is shown over several years, from the original income to the account you will invest from. Undocumented cash and transfers through third parties are hard to count, so we review the sources of capital before choosing a program. If part of the money cannot be proven, it is better to calculate the capital without it from the start than to be refused after a year of waiting.

Steps and timelines

1. Choosing a program and checking capital, preparing documents on income and the source of funds - usually 1-3 months.
2. Quebec: an application to the province and selection. Provinces: registration, points and waiting for an invitation.
3. Work permit and the move: in Quebec 12 months of living in the province within 2 years, in British Columbia 18-20 months of running your business.
4. Provincial nomination or Quebec's final selection.
5. The federal permanent residence application, medical exam and biometrics for the whole family.

Documents

• Passports, birth and marriage certificates for all family members.
• Proof of net worth: statements, valuations of property and businesses, tax returns.
• Evidence of the lawful source of funds over several years.
• Proof of management experience: articles, appointment orders, letters, company financial statements.
• Language test results.
• Police certificates and a medical exam by a Canada-designated physician.
• Translations into English or French.

How to get approved the first time

• The lawful source of capital is not proven, or after valuation it falls below the threshold.
• Experience is not managerial or cannot be documented.
• French below level 7 for Quebec.
• The business plan is unrealistic, or the business in the province did not operate as promised.
• Incomplete or false information: Canada may ban entry for 5 years for this.

How to choose a province

The province determines not only the investment threshold but also family life. Quebec requires French, and immigrants' children there generally attend French-language public schools. British Columbia and Manitoba operate in English. British Columbia has higher housing costs but a bigger market and links with Asia, while Manitoba has lower living costs and a lower investment outside Winnipeg. The business you open in the province must be real and run according to plan: the province checks it before nomination. So we compare provinces by your business, budget, language and children's study plans.

Taxes

A Canadian tax resident pays tax on worldwide income. Federal rates in 2026 range from 14% to 33%, plus provincial tax, and in the large provinces the top combined rate exceeds 50%. Foreign assets worth more than CAD 100,000, about $70,200, must be disclosed in the return. Taxes are worth planning before the move; more on the Taxes in Canada page.

Permanent residence and citizenship

The permanent resident card is issued for 5 years, and during that time you must live in Canada for at least 2 years. After 3 years in the country within the last 5 you can apply for citizenship: applicants aged 18 to 54 take a language and knowledge test. Dual citizenship is allowed. Days spent in Canada on a work permit before permanent residence also partly count: each such day counts as half a day, up to 365 days in total. More on the Canadian citizenship page.

Who it suits and who it does not

Quebec suits wealthy families with capital from CAD 2 million who speak French and are ready to live in the province for a year. Provincial programs suit entrepreneurs ready to move and manage a business personally. Canadian permanent residence does not suit those who want a passport without moving: both permanent residence and citizenship require actually living in the country.

Alternatives

What we do

Murblz specialists match the program to your capital and business, check the source of funds and experience before filing, prepare the business plan and documents, and support the provincial selection and the federal permanent residence application together with licensed Canadian consultants. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat, and we fix the estimate in writing.

Every way to get residency in Canada

This is one route. All the other grounds for residency in Canada, with conditions, amounts in dollars and timelines, are compared on How to get residency in Canada in 2026: every route.

What Canadian permanent residence gives

How to get Canadian permanent residence by investment: step by step

FAQ