Business immigrants are those entrepreneurs who can invest in, or start businesses in Canada and are expected to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. The Business Immigration Programs seek to attract people experienced in business to Canada.
Business immigrants are selected based on their ability to establish themselves economically in Canada.
There are three classes of business immigrants :
The Immigrant Investor Program is designed to attract experienced persons and capital to Canada. Investors must show business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $800,000 and make an investment of CDN $400,000.
The investment is then utilized 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 become a permanent resident.
As an investor, you must fulfill the definition and selection criteria for the class and earn at least 35 assessment points.
The Entrepreneur Program is aimed at to attract experienced persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that will contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must show business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $300,000 and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.
To qualify as an entrepreneur, it is necessary to have business experience. This means that you must have managed and controlled a percent of equity of a qualifying business. Entrepreneurs must have a legally obtained net worth of at least CDN $300,000.
As a business immigrant, your objective must be to control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business. You must provide active and ongoing management of the qualifying Canadian business. Your business must create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must meet these requirements within three years of becoming a permanent resident.
Before your immigrant visa is issued, you are required to sign a statement about your intension and ability to meet the conditions of permanent residence.
Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to create their own employment. They are expected to contribute to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. They may create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.
As a self-employed person, you must have relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics or farm management. You must also have the intention and ability to establish a business that will, at a minimum, create employment for yourself. You must make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.No immigration conditions are imposed on this class. You must have enough money to support yourself and your family members after you arrive in Canada.