The Canada Business Immigration Category of visas
was designed to attract experienced business people to Canada. Successful candidates are those who can invest in Canada, start
businesses in Canada and generate revenues and employment for Canadians.
In 2003, over 8,100 business migrants were
allowed entry into Canada. In 2005-2006, the government target is to welcome between 9,500 to 10,500 Canada business immigrants.
In order to encourage the development of a strong, prosperous economic environment, the Canadian government seeks business
people with sufficient business experience and the necessary assets.
There are two categories:
Investor Immigrant Visas: aimed at successful senior executives with managerial experience or successful
owners or part-owners who have the intention and ability to invest in Canada for a term of 5 years.
The first category
of Canadian business immigration is the Canadian Immigrant Investor Program visa. To fall under this category, you must be
willing and able to make an investment of CDN $400,000. This investment is placed with the Receiver General of Canada.
Participating
provinces then use your investment to create jobs and help their economies grow. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
will return your investment to you, without interest, in approximately five years, after you have become a permanent resident.
Many
potential business immigrants, though able to meet the program's net worth requirements, may have difficulty raising the
assets required in a short period of time, or they may not wish to tie up their money for a period of five years while receiving
no interest on the transaction. There is an alternative: you may finance your investment. You have the option
to receive a loan from a financial institution in Canada for up to 70% of the investment. You may finance your investment.
CIC has agreements with a number of financial institutions that can facilitate the financing of your investment.
Quebec Investor Program
Under the Quebec Investor Program, applicants are sought who
are experienced business persons with a large amount of capital, interested in investing in Quebec.
In order to apply
under this program, applicants must:
- Demonstrate at least 3 years of management experience in a business
enterprise, government or other society;
- Possess a minimum net worth of $800,000 CDN of legally acquired
funds;
- Undertake and a make an investment of $400,000 with a stockbroker or a trust company, for a term
of 5 years.
Entrepreneur Immigrant Visas: aimed at successful owners
or part-owners with significant business experience who have the intention and ability to own and manage a business in Canada,
which generates revenues and employment.
The second possibility for those wishing to immigrate to Canada through
business immigration is the Entrepreneur Program. Under the Federal Entrepreneur Program, the Canadian government seeks to
attract experienced business people interested in actively owning and managing a business in Canada, which will generate revenue
and create employment for Canadians.
In order to apply under this program, you must:
- Demonstrate business experience. This means that you must have managed and controlled
a percent of equity of a qualifying business;
- Possess a minimum net worth of $300,000 CDN of legally
acquired funds;
- Have the intention and ability to own and actively manage a Qualifying Canadian Business
within three years of becoming a permanent resident;
- Create at least one-full time employment for a
Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Earn sufficient points in the selection factors to meet the
pass mark. The selection factors include points awarded for education, proficiency in Canadian official languages, work experience,
age, and adaptability factors to life in Canada.
Quebec Entrepreneur
Program
Under the Quebec Entrepreneur Program, applicants are sought who
are experienced business persons interested in actively owning and managing a business in Quebec, which will generate revenue
and create employment for Quebec residents.
In order to apply under this program, applicants must:
- Have
at least three years of management experience in a business enterprise, government or other society;
- Have a minimum
net worth of $300,000 CDN of legally acquired funds (including your spouse's assets);
- Submit a viable business
plan to establish or acquire a business in Quebec, which the applicant intends to manage and operate and which will employ
at least three Quebec residents;
- Possess the intention and ability to own and actively manage an eligible business
within three years of becoming a permanent resident;
- Create at least one-full time employment for a Canadian citizen
or permanent resident.
