Individuals wishing to set up a farming business in Canada may get permanent residency in this country under one of the provincial programs for self-employed farmers.
Canada’s Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan), which are famous for their developed agriculture sector, offer permanent residency to international farmers who are willing to invest and set up farming businesses to benefit local economies.
The minimum requirements for self-employed farmers
| Net worth, thousand CAD | Investment, thousand CAD | Business plan | Experience | |
| Alberta Self-Employed Farmer | 500 | 500 | Required | Not specified |
| Manitoba Business Investor — Farm Investor | 500 | 300 | Required | 3 years |
| Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator | 500 | – | Required | Not specified |
| Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator — Young Farmer | 300 | – | Required | 3 years |
Alberta Self-Employed Farmer
The Self-Employed Farmer Stream of the provincial program has been created for farmers who wish to invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
Requirements:
- Net worth: C$500,000
- Investment: C$500,000
- Other expenses: –
- Business plan: required
- Experience: documentation of education, training, and work experience
Manitoba Business Investor — Farm Investor
This pathway is created under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for those who wish to develop the agriculture sector in Manitoba.
Requirements:
- Net worth: C$500,000
- Investment: C$300,000
- Other expenses: –
- Business plan: required
- Experience: 3 years of farm ownership and operation experience
Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator
The Farm Owner and Operator Stream of the provincial program has been created for farmers who wish to invest in a farming business in Saskatchewan.
Requirements:
- Net worth: C$500,000
- Investment: –
- Other expenses: C$75,000 (a refundable deposit)
- Business plan: required
- Experience: farm operation experience with supporting documents
Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator — Young Farmer
The Young Farmer Category has been created within the Farm Owner and Operator Stream to offer permanent residence to farmers under 40 who want to operate a farm in Saskatchewan.
Requirements:
- Net worth: C$300,000
- Investment: –
- Other expenses: –
- Business plan: required (the farming business should have a minimum of C$10,000 annual revenue)
- Experience: 3 years in owning a farm, operating a farm or practical farming experience (plus skills based on education and work experience that can supplement the farming income)
Find out about other business immigration options in the article “Business Immigration”.