Business Immigration

The Business Immigration program is designed to help suitable business people contribute to the Canadian economy by encouraging them to transfer their business skills and set up business in Canada.  Business immigrants represent 10% of applications to Canada.

There are three types of Business Visas:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self-Employed

Investors

To be eligible the applicant must;  

• have legally accumulated net-worth exceeding Canadian $800,000  
• have minimum of three years of business management experience
• deposit of Canadian $400,000 with the Government of Canada for five years. (total money is refunded back after 5 years without any interest or deposit just only Canadian $120,000 which is non-refundable). 
• fluency in English or French is not required under this program.

A family gets permanent residency to Canada leading to Canadian Citizenship and Passport.  Investor can live and work anywhere in Canada and no conditions are attached to this visa.  

Provincial Nominee Business Program

To be eligible the applicant must;  

• have legally accumulated net-worth exceeding Canadian $350,000
• have minimum of three years of business management experience
• make a exploratory business trip to Canada for seven days
• deposit $75,000.00 which is refunded after the investment is made
• invest a minimum of $150,000 in a new or an existing business  
• moderate English language skills are  required to communicate

A family will obtain permanent residency in Canada leading to Canadian Citizenship and a Passport but the applicant must live in the nominated province and be involved in the day to day running of the business.  

If your net-worth is less than Canadian $350,000.00, you may be eligible for one of the provincial programs.

Entrepreneurs

Applicants in this category must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have a minimum of 2 years business experience;
• Have a minimum personal net worth of CAD$300,000 that is legally obtained;
• Have sufficient equity in a business in Canada, actively manage the business, and employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident full-time at the business.

Self-Employed

Self-Employed persons must have relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics or farm management.   They must also have the intention and ability to establish a business that will, at a minimum create an employment opportunity for themselves. They must make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
Conditions of permanent residence are not imposed on Self Employed persons. They must have enough money to support themselves and their family members after they arrive in Canada.

Regulatory Requirements
"Self Employed person" means

A foreign national who has relevant experience and has the intention and ability to be Self Employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada

"Relevant experience" means

In respect of a Self Employed person, at least two years of one of the following types of experience in the period beginning five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made in respect of the application, namely:

a) Self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics

b) Participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics

c) Farm management experience

"Specified economic activities" means

In respect of a Self Employed person means cultural activities, athletics or the purchase and management of a farm.

For more information on applying under this visa category please contact one of our immigration advisors.