Canada’s Regional Business Immigration Programme Explained

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Has Closed – Here’s the Alternative Entrepreneurs Should Consider

For years, Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) attracted global entrepreneurs looking for a relatively passive route to permanent residence. However, as of December 31st 2025, that chapter has now closed.

The good news? Canada remains very much open to experienced business owners and operators – just through a different, more hands-on pathway.

Enter Canada’s Regional Business Immigration (CRBI) programme.

Whilst Canada’s Regional Business Immigration programme is not a like-for-like replacement for the Start-Up Visa, it is a compelling alternative for entrepreneurs who want to fully relocate to Canada, take control of a real business, and build long-term roots.

A Shift in Canada’s Immigration Strategy

The closure of the Start-Up Visa reflects a broader trend:

Canada is moving business immigration decisions closer to the provincial level, allowing regions to assess applications based on commercial viability, job creation, and the applicant’s genuine intention to live and operate locally. CRBI sits firmly within this new direction.

What Is the Canada Regional Business Immigration (CRBI) Programme?

CRBI allows applicants to obtain Canadian permanent residence by purchasing or establishing an operating business in a specific province and actively managing it.

In simple terms:

• You buy or build a real business
• You move to Canada
• You personally run that business

Providing the business is properly managed, remains active and does not go bankrupt, investors can apply for Permanent Residence after one year.

This is not a theoretical or speculative model. Applicants acquire tangible assets, employ staff, and contribute directly to the local economy.

There are no stipulations on the type of businesses but typical examples could include:

• Retail and service businesses (e.g. shops, salons, gas stations)
• Hospitality or F&B outlets
• Agriculture and food production
• Medical or care-related services
• Other small-to-medium enterprises

A Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency & Citizenship

The Canada Regional Business Immigration programme follows a clear, structured pathway, designed to move applicants from business ownership to Permanent Residence in defined stages.

Step 1: Initial Work Permit
Once approved, applicants typically secure an initial Canadian work permit within a few months.

• The work permit is valid for 12 months
• The applicant and family relocate to Canada
• The applicant actively operates the business in line with the agreed business plan

Step 2: Permanent Residence Application
After just 12 months of compliant business operation, the applicant becomes eligible to apply for Permanent Residence, provided performance requirements are met.

Step 3: Canadian Citizenship Eligibility
After holding Canadian Permanent Residence for five years, investors may apply for Canadian citizenship, subject to residency requirements.

To qualify for citizenship, applicants must have physically resided in Canada for a minimum of 3 years out of the 5-year period

This staged structure provides a transparent and predictable pathway, rewarding genuine business activity and long-term commitment to Canada.

What CRBI Is Not

It’s just as important to be clear on what this programme is not:

• Not a passive investment
• Not a paper-based or fund-style programme
• Not suitable for applicants without hands-on management experience
• Not guaranteed if the business underperforms

CRBI requires real involvement, particularly in the first year. The Canadian authorities assess whether the business is operational, compliant, and genuinely managed by the applicant throughout the process.

For the right client, this is a strength – not a drawback. However if you do not wish to be this involved, then you could consider a more straightforward CBI option in a country such as Grenada, or the USA’s EB5 Programme.

Who Is CRBI Best Suited For?

Canada’s Regional Business Immigration is ideal for:

• Entrepreneurs and business owners with proven operational or managerial experience
• Applicants who want to fully relocate to Canada, not maintain a distant foothold
• Individuals comfortable running a business day-to-day
• Families seeking long-term stability, education, and quality of life in Canada
• Clients who prefer control and ownership over their investment
• This is particularly attractive to applicants who were previously considering the Start-Up Visa but are open to a more practical, execution-focused route.

The programme is also open to all nationalities, with no restricted citizenships. In practice, it has proven particularly popular with high-net-worth individuals from China, Vietnam and Nigeria, as well as American investors who are increasingly exploring options outside the U.S. while remaining geographically close.

How Much Does it Cost? – Provincial Pricing

Unlike the former Start-Up Visa, the Canada Regional Business Immigration (CRBI) route is administered at a provincial level, which means there is no single, fixed price point.

Costs can vary significantly depending on:

• The province selected
• The type of business acquired

Local investment and net-worth thresholds

At La Vida, we offer fully structured CRBI packages starting from USD $250,000, with higher-tier options available depending on the region and business profile.

Some provinces have lower entry points, such as Alberta and British Columbia, while others require substantially higher capital commitments such as Ontario, with total investments reaching CAD $900,000 or more in certain regions.

Net Worth Requirements

Net-worth requirements are also province-specific, but as a general rule:

• Applicants must demonstrate an additional net worth of at least CAD 300,000, separate from the business investment
• Higher-value provinces may require significantly more

Because CRBI is provincial, the optimal structure is highly individual. Selecting the right region – and the right business – is critical to keeping capital requirements proportionate and achievable.

A More Involved Route – With Clear Advantages

While CRBI is less passive than the Start-Up Visa, it offers notable benefits:

• Direct ownership of a real business
• No reliance on third-party investors or incubators
• Faster execution once approved
• Clear performance benchmarks
• A realistic pathway to Permanent Residence and, later, citizenship

For many entrepreneurs, this approach feels more transparent, more logical, and more aligned with how they already operate.

Relocating to Canada is Still Possible with CRBI

Canada’s Start-Up Visa may be closed, but Canada itself is very much open – especially to experienced entrepreneurs willing to roll up their sleeves.

The Canada Regional Business Immigration programme reflects where immigration policy is heading: real businesses, real operators, real contribution.

For the right profile, CRBI provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to relocate to Canada. If you would like to understand whether CRBI fits your background and goals, speaking to a specialist is essential. The right province, structure, and business choice make all the difference. Get in touch with La Vida’s team to discover more.

Book a Discovery Call

Tags: Canada, Immigration-By-Investment, Permanent Residency, Residency Visa