Farm Owner Programs

FarmerIndividuals 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”.