Quick Answer:

Is there an entrepreneur stream under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?

No. This is a common misconception. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is designed for skilled workers and international graduates, not for entrepreneurs who want to start a business. There is no dedicated business or entrepreneur stream under the federal AIP.

What is the Correct Pathway for Entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada?

If you want to start a business in one of the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador), you must apply through that province’s specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Entrepreneur Stream.

The Correct Programs Are:

• Nova Scotia: Nominee Program (NSNP) – Entrepreneur Stream
• New Brunswick: Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – Entrepreneurial Stream
• Prince Edward Island: PNP – Work Permit Stream
• Newfoundland and Labrador: PNP – International Entrepreneur Stream

Key Takeaway: Do not search for an “Atlantic Immigration Program for Entrepreneurs.” Instead, research the specific PNP Entrepreneur Stream for the Atlantic province you are interested in.

Compare Atlantic provincial programs to other Canadian options in our Business Immigration Pathways Comparison.

LMRT’s Recommendation: Each Atlantic province has its own unique set of requirements, investment thresholds, and application processes for entrepreneurs. It is crucial to evaluate each program based on your personal profile and business goals. Professional guidance is highly recommended to navigate these distinct provincial pathways.

For a comprehensive overview of all provincial entrepreneur programs, see our Provincial Nominee Programs guide.

Comprehensive Guide:

Introduction: Correcting a Common Misconception

Many prospective immigrant entrepreneurs search for information on an “Atlantic Immigration Program for Entrepreneurs.” This is a logical but incorrect assumption. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), a federal program created in partnership with the four Atlantic provinces, is a highly successful pathway to permanent residency, but it is designed exclusively for skilled workers and international graduates who have a job offer from an employer in the region.

The AIP does not have a stream for entrepreneurs.

This guide will clarify this common point of confusion and direct you to the correct pathways for starting a business in Atlantic Canada. If you are an entrepreneur, your journey does not lie with the AIP, but with the individual Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Understanding the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP is a federal immigration program that allows employers in the four Atlantic provinces to hire foreign nationals for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally. The key feature of the AIP is that it is employer-driven. An applicant must have a valid job offer from a designated employer to be eligible.

This is fundamentally different from an entrepreneur program, which is applicant-driven. In an entrepreneur program, the applicant is the one creating the business and, eventually, the jobs.

The Real Pathways: Provincial Nominee Programs for Entrepreneurs

Each of the four Atlantic provinces has its own PNP with a dedicated stream for entrepreneurs. These are the programs you should be researching.

1. Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) – Entrepreneur Stream

• Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD
• Minimum Investment: $150,000 CAD
• Experience: 3+ years as a business owner (with 33.3% ownership) OR 5+ years in a senior management role.
• Process: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), get invited, receive a work permit, operate the business for at least one year, and then get nominated for PR.

2. New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) – Entrepreneurial Stream

• Minimum Net Worth: $500,000 CAD
• Minimum Investment: $150,000 CAD
• Experience: 3 years of business ownership OR 5 years of senior management experience.
• Process: Submit an EOI, conduct an exploratory visit, get invited, receive a work permit, operate the business, and then get nominated.

3. Prince Edward Island (PEI) PNP – Work Permit Stream

• Minimum Net Worth: $600,000 CAD
• Process: This stream is for entrepreneurs who want to start their business in PEI. You must submit an EOI, and if invited, you will be issued a work permit. After fulfilling the terms of your Performance Agreement, you will be nominated for PR.
• Note: PEI is very selective and prioritizes businesses that align with its key economic sectors.

4. Newfoundland and Labrador PNP – International Entrepreneur Stream

1. Process: This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business in Newfoundland and Labrador. Similar to other PNPs, it involves an EOI, an invitation, a work permit, and a period of business operation before nomination.

These Atlantic programs have similar structures to BC PNP, Ontario PNP, and Manitoba PNP, all requiring significant investment and business experience.

There is no “Atlantic Immigration Program for Entrepreneurs”, you must apply through individual provincial PNP streams.

Review our Provincial Nominee Programs overview to compare all Atlantic and non-Atlantic provincial options. Nova Scotia ($600K net worth) and New Brunswick ($500K) have similar requirements to BC PNP and Manitoba PNP.
For entrepreneurs without significant capital, the federal Start-Up Visa requires no minimum net worth.
Our SUV vs PNP comparison provides detailed analysis of these pathways. Use our decision framework to identify your optimal route.

Key Differences from the AIP

• Job Offer: PNP Entrepreneur streams do not require a job offer. You are creating your own job.
• Investment: PNP Entrepreneur streams require a significant personal investment. The AIP requires no investment from the applicant.
• Process: PNP Entrepreneur streams are multi-year processes involving work permits and conditional performance agreements. The AIP is a more direct path to permanent residency for those with a job offer.

For entrepreneurs seeking a pathway without personal investment requirements, the federal Start-Up Visa offers an alternative that provides immediate, non-conditional PR.

Conclusion: Look to the Provinces, Not the AIP

While the Atlantic Immigration Program is a fantastic option for skilled workers, it is the wrong pathway for entrepreneurs. The real opportunity lies within the individual Provincial Nominee Programs of each Atlantic province.

Each of these PNP streams is a complex, competitive, and points-based system with its own unique set of requirements. Your choice of province will depend on your net worth, investment level, business idea, and personal preferences.

Use our decision framework for choosing between SUV and PNP to evaluate whether a provincial program or the federal Start-Up Visa better aligns with your profile.

Navigating these four distinct programs requires careful research and a strategic approach. An experienced RCIC can help you assess your eligibility for each program, develop a compelling business plan, and guide you through the application process for the Atlantic province that best fits your entrepreneurial ambitions.

Once you’ve chosen your pathway, our guide on how to prepare for immigration to Canada walks you through the essential preparation steps.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

References

[1] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025). Atlantic Immigration Program. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html

[2] Nova Scotia Immigration. (2025). Entrepreneur Stream. Retrieved from https://novascotiaimmigration.com/move-here/entrepreneur/

[3] Welcome NB. (2025). New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream. Retrieved from https://www.welcomenb.ca/content/wel-bien/en/nb-entrepreneurial-stream.html

[4] Immigration PEI. (2025). Work Permit Stream. Retrieved from https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/office-immigration/pei-work-permit-stream