Canada Investment and Business Immigration

Overview

The Canada Investor and Business Immigration programs are designed to invite business persons seeking to invest or start a business in Canada. With the proposition of encouraging development of a strong, prosperous and flourishing Canadian economy, the serene maple leaf country offers various Business Immigration Programmes. The government has created both Federal and Provincial business and investment programs. By means of favourable business regulations, low business costs and corporate tax rates, various social benefits and exceptional standard of living Canada has immerged as one of the most preferred destinations for migration for businessmen (entrepreneurs and investors) from all over the world. If you meet the eligibility criteria for any of the business program it could be your fast-track ticket to Canada. Most of the Canadian business immigration programmes allows business people and their families to resettle in Canada as permanent residents, enjoying same welfares provided to Canadians, including universal healthcare, free public education, pension etc.

Get started with exploring your investment and business immigration options.

Business Visitor Visa

The Business Visitor Visa is suitable for businessmen who intend to undertake short-term visit to Canada with the intention to invest, grow their business, develop and advance business relationships and search new business opportunities but will not enter the Canadian labour market. You may come to observe site visits or may be invited by Canadian companies for training programmes in product use, sales or other related business transactions. Subject to the nature of the work, as well as the individual’s nationality, business visitors can conduct business or trade activity without needing a work permit. Business Visitors are free to travel anywhere throughout Canada and visit family, friends and experience Canada’s tourist attractions.

The purpose of business visit could be any of the following:

• Attend business meeting, conferences, conventions, fairs, etc.;
• Buy Canadian goods or services on behalf of a foreign entity;
• Take orders for goods or services;
• Provide after-sales service, excluding hands-on work in the construction trades;
• Undertake training by a Canadian parent company for work outside of Canada; and
• Train employees of a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign company.

Business Visitor Visa Requirements

• You plan to stay for less than six months,
• You do not plan to enter the Canadian labour market,
• Your main place of business, and source of income and profits, is outside Canada,
• You have documents that support your application and
• You meet Canada’s basic entry requirements:


• Have a valid travel document, such as a passport,
• Have enough money for your stay and to return home,
• Plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit, and
• You are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians.

Business visitors to Canada may require a
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Start-up Visa Program

The Start-Up Visa Program was introduced in April 2013 as a pilot project and declared permanent on March 31, 2018. Canada`s Start-Up Visa Program grants permanent resident status to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program invites entrepreneurs who intend to set up a business as a full owner or partner owner in Canada and create jobs while they grow their business in Canada. Up to 5 applicants are allowed to file their application together, but it is important to note that each applicant must hold at least 10% of the business`s internal voting rights and their combined share of the business must be more than 50%. This program links successful business applicants with Canadian private sector businesses including the angel investors, venture capital fund or business incubators to facilitate the establishment of their start-up business by means of funding, guidance and expertise in other operation and establishment related concerns. These designated organisations are primarily responsible for analysing the proposed business`s viability. Following their determination Commitment Certificate is sent to immigration authorities for the approved projects. One of the many conditions for this program is that the applicant must not plan to settle in the Province of Quebec.

Eligibility Requirements: Language Skills

• Meet minimum language proficiency requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities);
• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), OR;
• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), OR;
• The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

Eligibility Requirement: Business Conditions

• Prove that business plan is supported by one of the designated organizations (venture capital funds, investment group or business incubator programs). Must obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support; and
• Show that business meets ownership requirements. Up to 5 applicants can apply as owners. In order to be eligible applicants must:
• Each own at least 10% of the business's internal voting rights
• Jointly own (along with the designated organisation) at least 51% of the business's voting rights

In case of more than 1 applicant certain applicants may be designated essential to the intended business. It is important to note that if any of the essential applicants withdraw their application or are refused for any other reasons, all other applicants under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.

• At the time the applicant receives the permanent residence:
• Must provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
• An essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
• This business is incorporated in Canada

Investment Requirements

• Secure minimum investment of $200,000 CND from IRCC designated venture capital fund or at least $75,000 CND from an IRCC designated angel investor group, for the Canadian Start-Up.
• IRCC designated Canadian Business Incubator Program acceptance into their program

No personal money is required to be invested by the applicants in the Canadian Start-Up. Also in case of failure of their Start-Up individual`s permanent resident status is retained.

Bring Enough Money to Settle

Applicant must be able to demonstrate access to sufficient funds to settle and support himself/ herself and family members. The amount of necessary funds depends on the number of family members included in the application.

Quebec Immigration Programs

Overview

Quebec is the largest province of Canada, accounting to about one quarter of the country`s population with over 8 million residents. The province is the only the Canadian province with French as their official language. The area is known to have serene scenic beauty and cultural heritage whilst offering excellent quality of life and a lot of job opportunities. Quebec has a entirely different set of immigration rules and regulations for foreign nationals seeking to settle in the province. Skilled workers, business people, temporary workers, foreign students, family reunification and humanitarian immigration are some of the pathways to get a permanent residency of Quebec.

Quebec Investor Program

The Quebec investor program is administered by the government of Quebec since 1986. The program was designed to allow foreign businessmen and their families to settle in province as unconditional permanent residents. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) allows investors to obtain Canadian permanent residence by investing CAD $1.2 million risk-free through an approved financial intermediary or by financing that investment. This program has gained huge popularity as a stream of immigration to Canada.

Eligibility Requirements

• Have, alone or with your accompanying spouse or de facto spouse, legally acquired net assets of at least $2 Million CND, excluding any amounts received by donation less than six months before your application is submitted. Assets such as property, bank accounts, pension funds, stocks and shares may be included.
• Have management experience
• Intend to settle in Québec
• Sign an investment agreement with a financial intermediary (broker or trust company) authorized to participate in the Investor Program
• Make a five-year term investment of $1,200,000 CND with Investissement Québec - Immigrants Investisseurs Inc.

Advantages of Quebec Investor Program

• Investment involves no risk
• No active managerial involvement after making the investment
• All immediate family members; spouse and dependent children are included in the application and enjoy same status as the applicant
• Enjoy same benefits as Canadians

Quebec Immigrant Investor Application Process

Quebec Immigration Investor Program applicants are scored on six factors under the Quebec Economic Class selection grid for the program. The applicant is required to score minimum 40 points along with compulsory cut-off score of 10 points and 25 points for management experience and financial investment, respectively. During assessment of applications in this program particular attention is paid to the applicant`s intention of settling in Quebec, management experience, the investment agreement, net assets and very critically the proof of the source and lawful their acquisition along with age, education and language proficiency.

Approval of the application by the Federal Government and issuance of the Canadian Permanent Resident Visa.

After the assessment if the application is approved, the investor applicant will receive a notice of intent for permanent selection which allows him/her to make his/her investment of $1.2 million CND within period of 110 days. Following receipt of confirmation of the investment by the Investissement Québec – Immigrants Investisseurs Inc., Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion will issue the applicant a Certificat de sélection du Québec by mail.

Investment Options

While making the investment under the Quebec immigration investor program the applicant investor can make a choice from one of the two investment schemes.

• Full Investment: The investor can invest $1.2 million CND in the government guaranteed bond using his own funds and hold the investment for a period of 5 years. At the end of this period full amount is returned to the investor without any accrued interest.
• Financed Investment: The investor may also choose to pay one time reduced non-refundable payment as a fee and interest of $350,000 CND to the financial intermediary which will cover the full payment of $1.2 million CND bond purchase.

Consideration

• The Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities of Quebec (MICC) decided to limit the number of intakes of new applications for selection certificate (CSQ) to reduce the processing times and thus be able to select economic immigration applicants faster.
• The QIIP will begin accepting up to 1,900 new applications from September 10th 2018, through to March 15th 2019. French speaking applicants may submit applications at any time, are not subject to quotas and receive priority processing.
• It is necessary to reside in Canada for 730 days within a five-year period to uphold permanent resident status

Learn more about the Quebec Investor Visa Program!

For more information please SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Quebec Self-Employed Program

Quebec welcomes self-employed foreign nationals by means of Quebec Self-Employed Immigration Program. The program is an opportunity to obtain permanent residence status for individuals seeking to settle in Quebec by means of creating their own employment and establish themselves by practicing an occupation for which they possess significant experience.

Eligibility Requirements: Employment | Funds

• Have an intention to create your own employment by practicing a profession or any business activity, individually or in partnership with other immigration applicant, with or without paid help.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of experience as a self-employed worker in the profession or trade intended to practise in Québec.
• Have minimum net assets of $100,000 CND in conjunction, if applicable, with the accompanying spouse or de facto spouse, and proof of its source and lawful acquisition.
• Make a start-up deposit at a financial institution located in the region where the trade or profession is intended to be practiced:
  • $25,000 CND start-up deposit if trade or profession is intended to be practiced outside the Montréal Metropolitan Community (MMC) area.
  • 50,000 CND start-up deposit if the intent to practise trade or profession is in the MMC area.

Eligibility Requirements: Language Proficiency

• Applicants are required to demonstrate their language proficiency in English and/or French by taking one of the following tests:
  • The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), OR;
  • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), OR;
  • The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
• To practise a profession governed by a professional order in Québec, you must pass a French Language Examination in case of failure to provide proof of having appropriate knowledge of French.

Quebec Economic Class Selection Grid

In addition to meeting minimum requirements the Quebec Government also assesses your application on the basis of the following factors and criteria:

• Your age and the age of your spouse or de facto spouse, if applicable
• Your level of education and that of your spouse or de facto spouse, if applicable
• Your language skills in French and English and those of your spouse or de facto spouse, if applicable
• Your financial self-sufficiency
• Your visits to Québec
• Your family in Québec

You must meet the minimum passing score under the Quebec Economic Class Selection Grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Program. Applicants are awarded up to 99 points individually or 112 points if accompanied by a spouse on basis of the above mentioned factors. During the review of an application, Quebec Self-employed candidates may be invited to attend a selection interview.

Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program focuses on inviting business people proposing to establish or invest in a conventional business venture. The program offers two components or streams for businessman to make his/her choice from; entrepreneurs can aim to establish a start-up backed by a business incubator or university or, secondly he/she can intend to have owner-funded and operated business in Quebec. Interested foreign entrepreneurs may be granted special entry into Canada for an “exploratory visit”.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following conditions:

Eligibility: Stream 1

• You must settle in Québec to establish and operate a business and obtain an offer of service offer from a business accelerator or incubator or a university entrepreneurship centre.
• The project can be carried out individually by you or with others, up to 3 of whom can be foreign nationals who have submitted selection applications as entrepreneurs for the same project.
• The project must be presented in the form of a business plan.

Eligibility: Stream 2

• Must settle in Québec to create or acquire and operate a business.
• You are required to sign a deposit agreement with any financial institution based in Quebec and make a start-up deposit and a security deposit.
  • The start-up deposit must be used to set up the business. A start-up deposit of CAD $300,000 is required if the business is established in the Montreal Metropolitan Area (CMM) and in case the business is located outside the CMM the amount required is lower, CAD $200,000.
  • The security deposit of CAD $200,000 serves as an insurance that the business will actually be created. When the business plan execution will be demonstrated this deposit will be refunded to you.
• Detain a minimum net worth of CAD $900,000, alone or with your spouse or de facto spouse, and you must demonstrate that this money has been legally acquired.
• Project must be presented in the form of a business plan.
• In case of creating a business you must own and control at least 25% of the business`s equity capital.
• If you choose to acquire a business, you must own and control at least 51% of its equity capital.
• Your business must not be involved in any of the following activities:
  • Payday loans, cheque cashing, or pawn broking
  • Real estate development or real estate or insurance brokerage
  • Production, distribution, or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry such as nude or erotic dancing, escort services or erotic massages
• Your business
  • Must have been in operation during the five years prior to your date of application

Please note that you cannot acquire a business purchased in the five years prior to your selection application by an immigrant selected as an entrepreneur under the program.

Quebec Economic Class Selection Grid

In addition to meeting minimum requirements the Quebec Government also assesses your application on the basis of the following factors and criteria:

• Your age
• Your level of education
• Your knowledge of French and English
• Your financial self-sufficiency
• Your visits to Québec
• Your family in Québec

You must meet the minimum passing score under the Quebec Economic Class Selection Grid for the Quebec Self-Employed Program. Applicants are awarded up to points on basis of the above mentioned factors.

Under the stream 1 application the applicant is required to score a minimum passing score of 41 points in order to be considered for selection. The applicant is awarded points based on factors including education level, financial self-sufficiency, areas of training, language proficiency (English and French) and their stay and family in Quebec. There are no additional points for applicants with their spouse.

While applications under stream 2 the applicant must obtain the passing score of 81 points in all of the 13 factors considered for the selection eligibility.

Provincial Business Immigration Programs

Although majority of the Canada`s 13 provinces offer their own business immigration programs but all Provincial Immigration Programs involve a minimal seven stage process:

• Exploratory visit to the desired province in Canada
• Submission of expression of interest
• Invitation to apply for Provincial Nomination Certificate
• Submission of Application for Nomination Certificate
• Interview with Provincial Immigration Office representative
• Nomination by the Province and signing of the binding Performance Agreement
• Submission for 2 year work permit or permanent residency (depending on the province) to the Federal Government

Various Provincial Business Immigration Programs offered by Canada are listed below:

• Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Entrepreneurial Stream
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) — Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Northwest Territories Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Business Stream
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Corporate Stream
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — Entrepreneur Stream
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) - Work Permit Stream
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) - Partial Ownership
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI-PNP) — 100% Ownership
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Entrepreneur Category
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Farm Owner/Operator Category
• Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)

To discover more about each Provincial Business Immigration Program and learn which is best suited to your circumstances kindly take 1-2 minutes to complete the free assessment form, and a member of the Settle Abroad Team will contact you to discuss your immigration options. You can also book a free consultation with our immigration expert.

Applicant can choose most suitable option from numerous and prominently used investment based immigration programs offered by Canada for granting permanent resident status. We have only outlined broad understanding of different immigration programs offered by the Canadian Government. For any queries our certified consultants are dedicated to assist you in choosing the right immigration program that suit your background, strengthen your profile, provide expert insights into your immigration process and get you through as a successful applicant. One should carefully make choice of program as ones application submitted cannot be changed. This makes it even more important to have an experienced legal counsel by your side to ensure smooth and hassle-free process and avoid any rejections or delay in realising your settle abroad dream. Wherever you are in the immigration process, we can help you move forward. If you planning to start or have already submitted an application and received a refusal, we can assess your situation and assist you in re-applying.

Delaying no further, contact now to Migrate Miles with Settle Abroad. Get started by taking 2-3 minutes in filing Free Assessment form and our consultants will be pleased to discuss your immigration options with you.