Business/ Investor Visa Program
The Canadian government offers several programs for international business people, investors, and entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses in Canada, granting them permanent residency.
1. The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program (IIVC)
The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program (IIVC) is designed for international business people to make a significant investment in Canada. Investors have to meet all the following requirements to obtain Canadian permanent resident visas through Investor Program.
- The investor must have the necessary business experience. You must own and have operated a qualifying business with at least 5 employees in your company.
- The investor must have a minimum net worth of $1.6 million CAD and the money have to be legally obtained.
- The investor has to make a minimum investment of $800,000 CAD to the Government of Canada. The investment will be returned to the investor after 5 years without interest.
The Canadian province you are intending to live in will use your money to create jobs and grow its economy.
No Language proficiency test is required to be a permanent Canadian resident through the Investor program.
You can bring your family as well through this program. Your entire family will have to undergo Canada’s medical and security evaluations.
You will have to make the investment within 30 days after your application for Investor Program is approved. Once you have made your investment, you can apply for your permanent resident visa in Canada.
Quebec Investor Program
Investors intending to live in Quebec can not get permanent residency through the Investor program. If you desire to live in Quebec, you will have to apply for Quebec Investor Program.
The province only allows investors with managerial experience within legal farming, commercial industries and professional industries. Moreover, Investors must have a minimum net worth of $2 million and have to invest a minimum of $1.2 million.
2.Entrepreneur Program
The immigration Entrepreneur Program is designed for international experienced entrepreneurs wanting to open and actively manage a business in Canada. The goal of this program is to grow the Canadian economy and create new jobs for citizens and permanent resident
Once you are approved under the Entrepreneur program, you along with your immediate family can apply for Canadian permanent visas.
Entrepreneur Program
- The entrepreneur must have a minimum net worth of $300,000 CAD and the money have to be legally obtained.
- The entrepreneur must either establish a new business or put at least 33.3% equity in an existing business in Canadian.
- The business must create at least one new employment position for a citizen or a permanent resident in Canadian.
- The entrepreneur must have sufficient business experience ( have previously owned and managed a qualified business).
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
Entrepreneurs intending to live in Quebec are not eligible for the Entrepreneur program. They rather have to apply for Quebec Entrepreneur Program. Experienced business people with an intermediate knowledge of the French language, are eligible to obtain permanent residency in Canada through this program. Once your application for Quebec Entrepreneur Program is approved, you can create and manage a business in the Quebec province in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs for Entrepreneurs
Certain provinces in Canada offer immigration opportunities to international entrepreneurs under their own entrepreneur stream program. Each province has its own eligibility and requirements to pick and choose applicants to settle and manage a business in Canada, providing them permanent residency.
3. Self-Employed Programs
This Self-Employed Program is designed for international people who desire to become self-employed in Canada as permanent residents.
If you are willing to be a Canadian permanent resident through this program, you must have relevant experience and the ability to either make a contribution to the cultural and sports industry or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
- At least two years of experience of participation in cultural activities or athletics.
- At least two years of experience of self-employment in cultural activities or athletics. OR
- At least two years of experience in farm management.
You will be assessed based on the following criteria,
Selection Criteria | Maximum Points |
Education | 25 |
Experience | 35 |
Age | 10 |
Ability in English and/or French | 24 |
Adaptability | 6 |
Total | 100 |
A minimum of 35 points out of 100 is required to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person.
Your immediate family members will have to undergo medical exams and security risk assessments. Additionally, you will have proof that you have sufficient settlement funds for yourself and your family after your arrival in Canada.
Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program
You cannot apply for permanent residency in Quebec through Self-Employed Worker Program, rather you will have to apply under the Quebec Self-Employed Program.
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program,
- Your net worth should be at least $100,000 CAD and it has to be legally obtained.
- You must have at least two years of experience in the profession you are willing to practice in Quebec.
- You must first come to Quebec and create your own job on your own account.
4. Start-up Visa
Canada offers Start-Up Visa Program aka Canada Start-Up Class to international entrepreneurs to start a business in Canada as permanent residents.
In the Start-Up Visa Program, candidates have to work in Canada with a work permit supported by a designated investor, and once the business is up, they can apply for permanent residence.
You must meet the following admissibility requirements to apply for a Start-Up Visa Program. You may be asked questions related to:
Eligibility requirements
You must fulfill the following eligibility requirements for the Start-up Visa Program.
- You must have a qualifying business.
- You must have a letter of support from a Canada-based designated organization.
- You must meet the language requirements: a minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English in all of these four areas.
- You must have enough money to live in Canada before you start earning from your business.
5. Owner/Operator LMIA Program
The Owner/Operator LMIA program allows international business people to score extra points for the IRCC Express Entry system, ultimately increasing the chance to receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The Owner/Operator LMIA program is a two-step process. In the first step, you have to apply to the Employment and Skill Development Canada (ESDC) office for a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once you receive the positive LMIA, you get a 2-year LMIA work visa to Canada.
After receiving your LMIA work visa, you can now apply for permanent residence through the IRCC Express Entry Program. You can renew your Canadian work permit for the next two to six 6 years.
Eligibility Criteria For Owner-operator LMIA Program
You have to prove the following points to apply for the Owner-operator LMIA program.
- You are a sole proprietor or hold more than 50% of the share in a Canadian business.
- You are prepared to employ at least one citizen or permanent resident in Canada.
- You will be in a senior management position in your company.
The Owner/Operator LMIA program is a two-step process. In the first step, you have to apply to the Employment and Skill Development Canada (ESDC) office for a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once you receive the positive LMIA, you get a 2-year LMIA work visa to Canada.
After receiving your LMIA work visa, you can now apply for permanent residence through the IRCC Express Entry Program. You can renew your Canadian work permit for the next two to six 6 years.
6. Intra-company Transfer
Canada offers International Mobility Program for high-skilled international business people to work temporarily in Canada through intra-company transfer. If you work in a multinational company outside of Canada then you can apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit to be transferred to a branch of the company within Canada.
Work Permit Duration
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) grants initial work permits under the Intra-Company Transfer program for a one-year duration. These work permits are renewable.
Requirements for Intra-company Transfer
- Must be employed at a multinational company that has a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate company in Canada.
- Candidates have to apply to work in a position at the executive level, or senior managerial level in Canada.
- Must have worked full-time in the company for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years.
Federal Program
Special Program
PR & Citizenship
Contact
- 1099 Costigan Rd. Milton, ON L9T 6N9
- +16479719338 / 9749865357
- kriti.khanal@rprcan.com
