The Canadian Business Immigration Program aims to create new opportunities in local markets, by welcoming those who have the skill and experience to help grow the country.
These immigration programs are designed to help promote and develop Canada’s economy by attracting entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and businesspersons who are not yet Canadian citizens.
If you would like to invest in your future and immigrate to Canada with your business venture, you have several options to choose from. Currently, these Business Immigration Programs streams are available:
1. Self-Employed Program
This program is for people who are capable of creating their own employment, by contributing athletically, culturally, or artistically to Canada’s employment market. People with sufficient funds and relevant work experience can apply for the Self-employed Program.
To qualify for business immigration to Canada under the Self-employed Program, an applicant must demonstrate that they have the relevant artistic or athletic experience that has allowed them to be self-employed while living in their country of origin. The candidate must furthermore be able to make a reasonably significant contribution to one of these fields through their relevant experience and skills in Canada in order to be successful in their application.
One of the wonderful things about the Self-employed Program which sets it apart from an Entrepreneur’s Visa Program is that there is no net-worth requirement. However, you must have sufficient funds for immigration purposes according to the usual visa procedure, this includes supporting any dependents (spouse or children) that you are intending to bring into the country with you. This means you have the freedom to set up your business on your own terms, contributing to the Canadian economy in your own unique way without the pressure of a certain profit margin or corporate mindset.
The Self Employment Program in Canada uses very specific criteria to measure your chances of being selected for immigration.
Self-Employed Program Requirements
| Work Experience | At least two years experience in your field |
| Education | Relevant tertiary or skills qualification in your field |
| Age | Ideally between the ages of 18 and 35 |
| Language Skills | Proficient in Canada’s official languages (English/French) |
| Adaptability | How easy it would be to assimilate into Canadian society |
If you want to obtain permanent residence in Canada for you and your family through a business immigration program, contact us today for assistance. Allow us to assess your case and advise you on the immigration options that best suits your individual matter.
2. Start-up Visa
Start-up Visa candidates may apply if they have a qualifying innovative business that will help grow the Canadian economy as well as create jobs in Canada. This option allows you to immigrate to Canada by starting a business in the country. There is a set of requirements to be fulfilled in order to be successful with your application. In general, your business must be innovative, create jobs for Canadians, and be able to compete internationally. While waiting for the result of the application, you can also apply for a temporary work permit to start working in Canada. Successful applicants will get permanent residence for both themselves and their families
Start-up Visa Program Requirements
| Business requirements | Once a designated organization commits to your business: • all applicants (up to 5 people can apply as owners) must each hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business; and • together with the designated organization, they must hold more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business. Once you receive permanent residence, you must make sure that: • you play an active role in the ongoing management of your business while living in Canada; • the essential operations of the business must partly take place in Canada; and • your business is incorporated in Canada. |
| Letter of support | You must get a letter of support from a designated organization that proves they are willing to invest in and support your start-up. These organizations include: • Venture Capital Firms ($200,000 investment); • Angel Investor Groups ($75,000 investment); and • Business Incubators. |
| Language requirements | You must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in either English or French. |
| Settlement money | You will have to be able to prove that you have enough money to settle yourself and your family in Canada. |
If you want to obtain permanent residence in Canada for you and your family through a business immigration program, contact us today for assistance. Allow us to assess your case and advise you on the immigration options that best suits your individual matter.
3. PNP Entrepreneur Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gives every province and territory of Canada the power to invite applicants to come and live within their borders if they have the right skill sets and work experience. Most of the PNPs have at least one entrepreneur category dedicated to people who would like to expand or start their business in Canada. Depends on each province, there are different requirements for candidates to be eligible to apply.
Entrepreneur programs (for example New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream) allow immigrants to take advantage of Canada’s growing economic power, and possibly gain permanent residence in Canada, along with their family. This is for applicants intending to reside in a specific province or territory in Canada, except for Quebec.
The province and its available streams are as follows:
• Alberta
o International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
o Self-Employed Farmer Stream
• British Columbia – Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (Regional Pilot)
• Manitoba
o Entrepreneur Pathway
o Farm Investor Pathway
• New Brunswick – Business Immigration Stream
• Newfoundland and Labrador
o International Entrepreneur Stream
o International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Northwest Territories – Business Stream
• Nova Scotia
o International Entrepreneur Stream
o International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Ontario – Entrepreneur Stream
• Prince Edward Island – Entrepreneur Work Permit
o Entrepreneur Category
o International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
o Farm Owner and Operator Category
• Yukon – Business Nominee Program
If you want to obtain permanent residence in Canada for you and your family through a business immigration program, contact us today for assistance. Allow us to assess your case and advise you on the immigration options that best suits your individual matter.
Shawar Law specializes in immigration services for all types of immigration cases, including, but not limited to, applications for permanent residence, applications for temporary residence, other visa applications and citizenship applications.
Mon – Friday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday: 10AM -3PM
Sunday: Closed
