Business Immigration FAQ

The Business Immigration Program is a category of Canadian Immigration under which individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa. There are three programs within the Business Immigration Program: Immigrant Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Persons.

In addition to Citizenship and Immigration Canada application forms, education-related and status documents (passports, birth/marriage certificates, etc.), you must submit documents proving your business and/or managerial experience, as well as documents evidencing your net worth.

After becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident, you may live, work and engage in business activities in any Canadian province or territory, regardless of where you initially indicated you intended to reside on your application form.

As an Immigrant Investor planning to reside anywhere in Canada, except in the Province of Quebec, you must have:

• a net worth of at least CAD$800,000, lawfully obtained;
• the funds to invest CAD$400,000 for five years with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which acts as agent on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds; and
• managed and owned an equity interest in a qualifying business, as defined under Citizenship and Immigration Canada Regulations; or, managed/supervised at least five employees for a period of two years within the last five years.

As an Immigrant Investor planning to reside in the Province of Quebec, you must have:

• a net worth of at least CAD$800,000, accumulated through legitimate economic activities;
• the funds to invest CAD$400,000 for five years in a governement of Quebec guarenteed investment fund; and
• at least three years of managerial experience in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business; or, at least three years of managerial experience in a government, governmental organization, or international organization.

You must demonstrate the origin and accumulation of your wealth through reliable, third-party documentary evidence: tax returns, pay stubs, deeds of purchase/sale, statements from stockbrokers, business/real estate valuations, etc. You must be able to demonstrate that your assets were gained through means, which are considered legal, including gifts or inheritances.

While you are entitled to engage in work and business activities upon arrival in Canada, there is absolutely no obligation to do so.

You must commit your CAD$400,000 investment amount before final approval from Citizenship and Immigration Canada or Quebec Immigration officials, if you intend to reside in the province of Quebec.

Yes, your money will be promptly refunded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada or Quebec Immigration officials, as the case may be.

Applicants with business managerial experience can qualify under either the Federal or Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. However, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program also takes into consideration managerial experience in a government, governmental organization or international organization and therefore may appeal to individuals with a broader spectrum of backgrounds.

As an Entrepreneur applicant, planning to reside anywhere in Canada, except in the Province of Quebec, you must have:

• a net worth of at least CAD$300,000, lawfully obtained;
• at least two years of managerial experience in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business during the last five years, and controlling at least 25% of capital equity; and
• the intention and ability to manage and own at least one-third of a qualifying Canadian business as defined under Canadian Immigration Regulations, for at least one year within three years of arriving in Canada.

As an Entrepreneur applicant planning to reside in the Province of Quebec, you must have:

• a net worth of at least CAD$300,000, lawfully obtained;
• at least three years of managerial experience in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business; or, at least three years of managerial experience in a government, governmental organization, or international organization; and
• presented your application in one of the two following programs:
  
  • Ability to carry out a business project 
  • Acquisition of a business in Québec

Yes, the Entrepreneur must, within three years of arriving in Canada:

control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or greater than one-third;

be active in the management of the qualifying Canadian business, and

establish at least one full time job for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident other than the Entrepreneur and family members.

If the Entrepreneur does not fullfil these conditions, there is a possibility of losing Canadian Permanent Resident status.

As an Entrepreneur applicant you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

A detailed business plan is not required.

To qualify as a Self-Employed person, you must be able to demonstrate experience, intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep you employed and make a significant contribution to cultural activities, athletics or farming in Canada. Your intended business must generate sufficient revenues to support you and your dependents.

If your destination is in the Province of Quebec, you must have:

• a net worth of at least CAD$100,000, lawfully obtained; and
• at least two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the occupation you plan to pursue in the Province of Quebec.

Under the Quebec Selection Criteria, your field of activity is not limtited to culture, athletics or farming.

As a Self-Employed person you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business/cultural/artistic environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

The net worth requirement for Self-Employed persons varies depending on the nature and location of the proposed venture. Self-Employed persons destined to the Province of Quebec must have a net worth of at least CAD$100,000, lawfully obtained.