- Ontario.ca says the Ontario Workforce Priority stream has launched and all other OINP streams are now closed.
- Applications already received are assessed under the requirements in place when they were submitted.
- In Ontario, a franchisor must give a prospective franchisee a disclosure document at least 14 days before the buyer signs an agreement or makes any payment.
- Immigration options are separate from franchise law, so check current IRCC information and get advice on both.
Many foreign entrepreneurs look at buying a franchise in Ontario as a path to settle here. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is often the first thing people search for.
This article explains what Ontario currently says about OINP streams, why you should not plan a franchise purchase around the Entrepreneur Stream today, and how franchise law protects you as a buyer whatever your immigration plans. It is general information, not immigration or legal advice.
Where the OINP stands now
Ontario.ca says the Ontario Workforce Priority stream has launched and that all other streams are now closed. The expression of interest (EOI) system is closed to new registrations, and no further invitations will be issued under the former streams.
The June 2026 redesign, through amendments to O. Reg. 422/17 effective June 25, 2026, removed the existing 8 streams and introduced the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The closed streams listed on Ontario.ca are Employer Job Offer (3 variants), Master's Graduate, PhD Graduate and three Express Entry streams. That list does not name the Entrepreneur stream. However, because Ontario.ca says all streams other than Workforce Priority are closed, a new applicant cannot currently rely on the Entrepreneur Stream.
For context, Ontario reported 91 nominations under the Entrepreneur stream in 2024. That is a historical figure and does not mean the stream is available now.
What this means for your plans
| Situation | What Ontario says |
|---|---|
| You have not applied | Streams other than Workforce Priority are closed and no further invitations will be issued under the former streams |
| You already applied | Applications already received are assessed under the eligibility requirements in place when they were submitted |
| You want a franchise route | Ontario.ca says all streams other than Workforce Priority are closed, so confirm your options with IRCC and an immigration professional |
We do not set out investment, net worth, ownership or business-control rules here, because you cannot currently apply under the stream and figures found on non-official websites can be out of date. If you see numbers quoted online, treat them with caution and check the official government source.
Franchise disclosure rights still apply to you
Immigration status does not change your rights as a franchise buyer. Ontario's franchise law requires a franchisor to give you a disclosure document at least 14 days before you sign an agreement or make any payment. It must cover the franchisor's background, litigation, financial statements, fees, territory, supplier restrictions and the terms for termination, renewal and transfer.
This matters if you are abroad and relying on a salesperson. An individual who makes representations on the franchisor's behalf to grant or market the franchise can be a franchisor's associate in some circumstances. Keep written records of everything you are told.
If disclosure is late or deficient, you can cancel without penalty up to 60 days after receiving it. If there was no disclosure at all, you can cancel up to two years after entering the agreement, and the franchisor has 60 days to refund your money. You may also sue for damages if a loss results from an incomplete or misleading document.
How a franchise agreement fits with an immigration plan
A franchise agreement is a commercial contract. Immigration options are separate from franchise law, so how a franchise purchase fits with any immigration plan is worth confirming with a regulated immigration professional. Do not pay a deposit or sign on the assumption that buying a franchise will qualify you for a program. Ask whether the agreement lets you cancel if your immigration plans do not work out, since termination and transfer conditions are part of what must be disclosed.
The Ontario government does not review or approve franchisors or their disclosure documents, and disputes are resolved through the courts. Ontario.ca recommends getting advice from a lawyer or financial advisor.
What to do next
- Read the current OINP pages on Ontario.ca before spending money on a franchise
- Check current IRCC information and speak with a regulated immigration professional about federal options
- Do not sign or pay before you have had at least 14 days with the disclosure document
- Ask a lawyer to review the disclosure document, certificates and franchise agreement
- Keep dated records of all communications with the franchisor and its representatives
- Have an accountant review the financial statements and the cost list
If you have already applied to the OINP, your application is assessed under the requirements in place when you submitted it. A lawyer or regulated immigration professional can confirm how that affects you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the OINP Entrepreneur Stream open?
Ontario.ca says the Ontario Workforce Priority stream has launched and all other streams are now closed. The Entrepreneur stream is not named in the list of closed streams, but that statement means a new applicant cannot currently rely on it. Check the current Ontario.ca pages and speak with an immigration professional.
I applied before the changes. What happens to my application?
Ontario.ca says applications already received are assessed under the eligibility requirements in place when they were submitted. Details of your own file are best confirmed with a regulated immigration professional.
Do foreign buyers get the same franchise disclosure rights?
The disclosure rules apply to a prospective franchisee, and a franchisor must give the document at least 14 days before you sign or pay. Your immigration status does not change those rights.
Can I cancel a franchise if disclosure was not given?
If there was no disclosure at all, a franchisee can cancel up to two years after entering the agreement, and the franchisor has 60 days to refund the money. If it was late or non-compliant, the period is 60 days from receiving it. A lawyer can tell you which situation applies.
Sources
- Ontario.ca – Franchising information for buyers and owners — ontario.ca
- 2483038 Ontario Inc. v. 2082100 Ontario Inc., 2022 ONCA 453 — ontariocourts.ca
- Ontario.ca – Applying to the OINP — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – 2026 OINP Updates — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – 2025 OINP Updates — ontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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