BUSINESS | INVESTOR | ENTREPRENEUR
bring your business to canada!
Canada Federal Business/Investor Immigration
The goal of Canada’s business immigration programs is to promote economic development and employment by attracting investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals from outside Canada with venture capital, business acumen and entrepreneurial skills.
The Canadian business immigration programs also seek to develop new commercial opportunities and improve access to growing foreign markets by welcoming people who are familiar with those markets and their special requirements and customs. Individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net worth may be eligible to apply for a Canada Immigration (permanent resident) Visa under one of the Canadian business immigration programs under one of the following sub-categories:
Entrepreneur Start-up Visa Program: Start-Up Visa Entrepreneurs must secure funding and support from a designated Canadian investment organization. To do so, they must have a plan for a unique business that will be created in Canada.
Self-Employed Persons Program: To qualify as a self-employed person, an individual must be willing and able to support him/herself and any dependents with self-employed income as a farmer, athlete, or artisan.
Quebec Business Immigration - Investor
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program allows investors to obtain Canadian permanent residence by investing CAD$1,200,000 risk-free through an approved financial intermediary or by financing that investment.
Note: The last application cycle for this program ran from May 29, 2017, to February 23, 2018. The maximum number of applications was set at 1,900, of which up to 1,330 applications were accepted from nationals of the People’s Republic of China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
Eligible applicants with advanced intermediate French ability were exempt from the quota until March 31, 2018. However, applications submitted by individuals with advanced intermediate French ability will continue to receive priority processing.
ADVANTAGES
Investment without risk. The investment of CAD $1,200,000 is guaranteed by the Quebec government and returned in full after five years.
Passive investment. No managerial role is required after the investment is made.
Family included in the application. All immediate members of the candidate’s family (spouse and dependent children) are included in the application and have the same status as the candidate.
Benefits of permanent resident status. Enjoy as a permanent resident the same benefits provided to Canadians (universal health care, free public education, access to world-class universities, etc.)
Quebec Investor Program: Requirements
All Quebec Investors will be expected to meet the following requirements prior to their acceptance:
Criteria Requirement
All Quebec Investors will be expected to meet the following requirements prior to their acceptance:
Criteria | Requirement |
Intended destination | Quebec |
Minimum Net Worth | A minimum of CAD$2 million in legally acquired net worth, alone or with the help of their spouse or common-law partner if accompanying the applicant. Assets such as property, bank accounts, pension funds, stocks and shares may be included. |
Business or Management Experience | A minimum of two years of management experience (planning, supervision and control of the financial and the human or physical resources) over the course of five years prior to the submission of the candidate’s application in a specific enterprise (agricultural, commercial, or industrial, OR management experience in a governmental or international organization) and in a position defined as full time. The company must have a minimum of two full-time employees. It does not necessarily have to be profitable. It can also be an international agency, department or government agency. |
Investment | Agreement to invest the sum of CAD$1,200,000 through an approved financial intermediary (this investment can be financed). |
Miscellaneous | Successful medical examination and security background check. |
The Entrepreneur Start-Up Visa Program
The program encourages immigrant entrepreneurs to grow their companies in Canada. Successful applicants link with private sector organizations in Canada, where they can receive funding, guidance and expertise in opening and operating their enterprise in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements
The purpose of this program is to recruit innovative foreign national entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and drive economic growth.
In order to be eligible, applicants for a Start-Up Visa must meet the following requirements:
- Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities);
- Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada;
- Plan to settle in a province other than the Province of Quebec;
- Pass Canadian security and medical clearances;
- Prove your business is supported through a designated organization; and
- Show your business meets ownership requirements.
No more than five foreign nationals may apply for permanent residence as part of the same business venture under the Start-Up Visa Program.
