The Corporate Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is intended for companies that are planning to expand their business or acquire an existing business in Ontario.
The Corporate Stream is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under this stream, international companies can offer up to 5 key employees for nomination for permanent residence in Canada.
Business Requirements
To be able to immigrate through this stream, corporations must meet the following requirements:
- Be an active business established outside Canada at least 36 months prior to the application date
- Be structured as a public corporation, sole proprietorship or partnership
- Invest at least C$5 million into business expansion or existing business in Ontario
- Create at least 5 full-time jobs for Canadian permanent residents or citizens per one key employee included in the application under this stream
- Intend to get profit from active sources — by selling goods or services
- Pay C$3,500 processing fees for each participating key employee
The following types of business are not eligible under the Corporate Stream:
- Automated car wash operations
- Businesses which have been previously owned by other OINP business stream nominees
- Holding companies
- Laundromats
- Pawnbrokers
- Payday loan and related businesses
- Scrap metal recycling
- Tire recycling
If the business will be situated in the Greater Toronto Area, the following types are also ineligible:
- Existing franchises in Ontario
- Gas stations
- Bed and breakfasts
Key Staff Requirements
To be able to immigrate through this stream, key employees must meet the following requirements:
- Be a senior employee of the corporation’s existing business, with the qualifications and experience necessary to set up and run a business in Ontario
- Have a job in NOC level 0 (one of the key staff is allowed to be employed in NOC level A)
- Have at least 36 months of experience in the last 60 months with the company in the intended occupation
- Not have a family relationship with any member of the corporation’s executive board or shareholders with more than 10% equity in the company
- Not hold equity in the corporation (unless that equity has been obtained as part of the remuneration — in this case, the equity must be less than 10% of the business)
Find out about other ОINP streams in the article “Immigration to Ontario“.