Canada offers tremendous opportunities to foreigners who want to do business in Canada.
The objective of the Business Immigration Program is to encourage investment and employment in Canada through the migration of people who have the ability to successfully establish or invest in a business in Canada.
4 Main Categories to Business Visas in Canada
Individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for a Canadian permanent residence under the Canada Business Immigration Program in one of the following four sub-categories:
Investors
Entrepreneurs
Self Employed Persons
PNP Business Programs
- Start-Up Visa Investor Program
When looking to immigrate to Canada as an investor, the best option available is to apply for the general Start-up Visa Program. You will have to meet certain requirements for your application to be successful by being innovative, creating jobs for Canadians and being able to compete internationally.
Requirements for Investors To qualify for the Start-up Visa, applicants must:
Have a qualifying business
Demonstrate intermediate knowledge in both English and French (CBL5)
Get a letter of support from a designated institution (Receive a minimum funding commitment of $200,000 CDN from a designated Venture Capital Organization, $75,000 from an approved Angel Investor, or Business Incubator)
Bring enough money to settle in Canada
- Entrepreneur Program
Because they create employment opportunities and contribute to the Canadian economy, entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for this immigration stream. Successful applicants are able to open a business in Canada, as well as gain permanent residence status in the country.
Requirements for Entrepreneurs To qualify for the Entrepreneur Program, applicants must:
Establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada within 2 years of landing in Canada which will result in a significant contribution to the economy
Engage in active and ongoing participation in the management of the business
Employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident other than the
entrepreneur and his dependents.
To ensure that these conditions are met, entrepreneurs are required to report to immigration officials their progress, on a regular basis within this two year period.
- Self-Employed Persons Program
This business immigration stream is for those who will either establish or purchase a business in Canada that will make a “significant” contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada
Eligibility under Self-employed persons program:
have relevant experience (at least 2 years experience in the last 5 years)
be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
meet the program’s selection criteria (minimum 35 points) and
meet medical, security and other conditions
Selection criteria is based on:
experience
education
age
language abilities
adaptability
Learn more about the Self-Employed Program.
- Business PNP Programs
Canada offers the most established and widely-used investment-based immigration programs conferring permanent resident status.
Canada Business and Investment Immigration Overview
The Canadian confederation system of government and the country’s social norms offer a “European alternative” to the more unabashed capitalism of the USA. Canada offers European-style social benefits with fairly high levels of taxation and an unparalleled quality of life. Under the Canadian model, business immigrants can enjoy the benefits of a national health care program, affordable first-class education and a national pension system that provides measurable annual income upon retirement.
Business immigration offering permanent admission to Canada comprise of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), Quebec Entrepreneur program, Quebec Self-Employed, several Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur programs, the Federal Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program and the Federal Start-Up Visa program. While the various entrepreneur and self-employed programs are aimed at
individuals with a mid-range personal net worth who intend to establish and operate a business in Canada, the investor programs are suited for high net worth individuals who wish to make a passive investment with no obligation to establish a business.
As well, wealthy business immigrants may buy or establish a new business in Canada and qualify for a temporary work visa, under federal ‘owner-operator’ policies. After a period of time, applicants may qualify for permanent residence under a suitable immigration program
