The OINP Entrepreneurship stream follows a two-stage process for applicants interested in starting or purchasing a business in Ontario. The process consists of Stage 1 and Stage 2, each with specific requirements and milestones.

Stage 1:

During Stage 1, applicants need to complete the following steps:

• Register an Expression of Interest (EOI): Applicants submit an EOI to the OINP, providing information about their business experience, net worth, personal investment, and proposed business concept.

• Invitation to Apply (ITA): Based on the EOI score and program criteria, the OINP selects the highest-ranking candidates and issues ITAs to apply for the Entrepreneur Stream.

• Application Submission and Interview: Once invited, applicants need to submit a detailed online application (which includes the business plan) and attend a mandatory interview with the OINP. The application requires supporting documentation to validate eligibility requirements, such as business ownership or senior management experience.

• Performance Agreement: If the Stage 1 application is successful, applicants must sign a Performance Agreement with the OINP, outlining the commitments and obligations they need to fulfill in Stage 2.

Stage 2:

After successfully completing Stage 1, applicants progress to Stage 2, which involves the following steps:

• Temporary Work Permit Support Letter: The OINP issues a temporary work permit support letter, allowing applicants to apply for a temporary work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

• Business Establishment and Final Report: Applicants have 20 months from the date they arrive in Ontario to implement their business plan and submit a final report. During this period, they must establish their business, meet job creation requirements, and adhere to program guidelines.

• Nomination for Permanent Residence: If the business meets all requirements and the final report demonstrates fulfillment of the Performance Agreement, applicants can submit documentation to the OINP for nomination consideration for permanent residence. The OINP then makes a recommendation to IRCC, which makes the final decision on permanent residency.

Throughout the two-stage process, applicants are assessed on various criteria, including business experience, net worth, personal investment, active involvement in the business, capital investment purpose, job creation, and compliance with program requirements. Adhering to the obligations outlined in the Performance Agreement is essential for eligibility for nomination for permanent residence.

The EOI is divided into two components, each with a maximum score:

• Self-declared score: This component allows applicants to self-declare their qualifications and attributes related to business experience, education, language proficiency, and adaptability factors. The maximum score for the self-declared score is 126 points.

• Business concept score: This component evaluates the quality and viability of the proposed business concept. Points are allocated based on factors such as the business model, market research, economic benefit to Ontario, investment allocation, business location, and job creation. The maximum score for the business concept score is 74 points.

Together, these two components make up the EOI score, with a maximum total score of 200 points. The EOI score plays a crucial role in determining the ranking of applicants in the selection pool. Only the top-ranked candidates are invited to apply for the Entrepreneur Stream.

It's important to note that meeting the minimum thresholds and achieving a competitive score in both the self-declared and business concept components greatly increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and moving forward in the application process.

The breakdown of the points for each component of the EOI in the OINP Entrepreneurship stream is as follows:

Self-declared score (maximum 126 points):

• Business Experience: Points are allocated based on the number of months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months as a business owner or senior manager.

• Education: Points are awarded based on the highest level of education completed.

• Language Proficiency: Points are allocated based on language skills in English or French, as demonstrated through approved language tests.

• Adaptability: Points are awarded for factors such as previous work or study experience in Ontario, family members living in Ontario, and previous visits to Ontario.

Business concept score (maximum 74 points):

• Business Model: Points are allocated based on the quality and viability of the proposed business model, including the clarity of the description, revenue generation strategy, and applicant's role.

• Market Research: Points are awarded for effective market research, including understanding the target market, critical market factors, and market entry strategy.

• Economic Benefit to Ontario: Points are allocated for demonstrating how the business will generate significant economic benefit to Ontario, such as adopting new technology, developing innovative approaches, or increasing exports.

• Investment Allocation: Points are awarded based on the breakdown of the capital investment and how it will be allocated within the business.

• Business Location: Points are allocated for choosing a business location that aligns with program criteria and regional economic priorities.

• Job Creation: Points are awarded for creating permanent full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

The OINP assesses the economic benefit based on factors such as adopting new technology, developing new products or services, increasing research and development, creating high-value jobs, increasing exports, or providing products/services to an underserved market.

Once you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) and if invited to proceed, it may not be possible to modify the business concept. It is crucial to provide a well-developed concept in the EOI that aligns with your proposed business plan.

The OINP Entrepreneurship stream does provide additional points for businesses that fall within specific sectors identified as economic priorities for Ontario. These sectors include Aerospace, Automotive, Chemical and biochemical, Cleantech, Cybersecurity, Financial Services, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Forestry, Industrial Automation and Robotics, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mining, and Tourism. If your proposed business aligns with any of these sectors, you may be eligible for additional points, enhancing your chances of success in the program. It is important to provide evidence of how your business fits within these sectors and contributes to their economic development in Ontario.