Canada offers the most established and widely-used investment-based business immigration programs bestowing PR status. The Canadian government and the country’s social norms allow a “European option” to the USA.
Beneath the Canadian model, immigrants can experience the advantages of a national health care program, first-class education and a national pension system that renders measurable annual income against retirement.
BUSINESS IMMIGRATION – FEDERAL
Buy a Business and Move to Canada
- Not a formal business program,
- Allows wealthy immigrants to move to Canada via Ottawa’s temporary work permit under the owner-operator policies.
- Buy established business to qualify for work permit via Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Program
- Introduced to replace the Canada Immigrant Investor Program, but failed.
- Includes Personal net worth of $10M and $2M investment for 15 years.
Start-Up Visa Program
- Established in 2013
- Grants permanent residence
- Work permits to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs.
- Recruit entrepreneurs and link them with private sector businesses in Canada
BUSINESS IMMIGRATION – PROVINCIAL
QUEBEC
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
- Legally-acquired personal net worth of $2M.
- 2 years of management or business experience within 5 years preceding application.
- Investment of $1,200,000 into a passive government guaranteed investment for 5 years without interest.
Quebec Immigrant Entrepreneur Program
Recruit individuals who have the skills and experience to operate a business in the province with the following conditions:
- Stream 1 consists of managing a business in Quebec that the candidate created alone or with other partners.
- Stream 2 have entrepreneur to control at least 25% of the shares of a new enterprise, or at least 51% of an acquired enterprise.
Quebec Self-Employed Program
- 2 years of applicable experience in the intended profession.
- Possess a personal net worth of $100,000.
- Have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family.
- Provide a start-up deposit, if the self-employed candidate is based
- In Montreal: minimum $50,000
- Outside Montreal: minimum $25,000
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Entrepreneur Immigration
Requirements
- Establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
- Investment of a minimum of $200,000 in the new or existing business.
- Net worth of minimum of $600,000.
- Score 4 in Canadian Language Benchmark
- Business and/or management experience.
- Pay a $300 registration fee, $3,500 application fee and $1,000 fee for each key staff application.
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
Key Features
- Community Involvement
- BC PNP Referrals
- Community Concierge
- Invitations and Prioritization
Community Requirements
- Population of less than 75,000.
- Located beyond 30km from a municipality of more than 75,000 population.
- Immigration and pilot-specific training must be completed by community representatives.
Candidate Requirements
- Complete an exploratory visit.
- Minimum of
- $100,000 in eligible business investments
- personal net worth of $300,000
- 51 percent ownership
- one new job created
- Score 4 in Canadian Language Benchmark
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects
Company Requirements
- Make a minimum equity investment of $500,
- Create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Establish or purchase and expand a company in B.C.
SASKATCHEWAN
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program has two main business categories:
- Entrepreneur Stream
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Entrepreneur Stream
- Minimum net worth of $500,000 legally acquired & 3 years of entrepreneurial /management experience.
- Investment of at least $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon, or $200,000 is any other Saskatchewan area.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Requirements
To Submit an EOI
- At least 21 years of age
- Completed a full-time Saskatchewan post-secondary degree or diploma of at least 2 years in length from a recognized and eligible institution
- Valid PG Work Permit with no less than 24 months of eligibility remaining
- Lived in Saskatchewan during their academic program
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7
For Business Establishment
- Live in Saskatchewan
- Actively own and operate an eligible business in Saskatchewan for at least 1 year prior to applying for nomination.
- Own at least 1/3 of the equity of the business
- Demonstrate business is generating the minimum required revenue
- Sign a Business Performance Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Entrepreneurial Stream Requirements
- Eligible connection to New Brunswick
- Aged between 22 and 55
- Minimum 2 years post-secondary education degree or diploma
- Score 5 in Canadian Language Benchmark exam
- Completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education
- The legally-acquired personal net worth of at least $600,000, of which $300,000 must be available in unencumbered liquidity
- Invest at least $250,000 in a New Brunswick business, taking at least 33% ownership
- Sign a Business Performance Agreement with the New Brunswick provincial government and pay a deposit of $100,000
Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream Requirements
- Aged between 22 and 40
- Score 7 in Canadian Language Benchmark
- Completed at least two years full-time post-secondary
- 100 % owned and operated a business for one full year
- Valid Post-Graduation Work Permit
- Live permanently in New Brunswick
NOVA SCOTIA
Entrepreneur Stream
- Be aged 21 or older
- Want to live permanently in Nova Scotia while owning and actively managing a Nova Scotia business
- Minimum
- net worth of $600,000
- investment of $150,000 to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia
- 3 years of experience actively managing and owning a business (33 % ownership minimum) OR more than 5 years of experience in a senior business management role
- Score 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
International Graduate Entrepreneur Category
- Open to immigrants wishing to start, join or manage a business
- Graduate of Memorial University or the College of the North Atlantic
- Completed a program at least two years in length
- Benchmark level 7 in one of Canada’s official languages
- At least 1 year of experience in managing or owning a business in the province
International Entrepreneur Category
- Open to immigrants aged 21 to 59
- Transfer $500,000 in net business and personal assets to the province
- Have 2 years of experience managing a business
Business immigration is a great way to settle in Canada, however, many applicants are misinformed about the right way to invest and start a business in Canada.
Jet Immigration expert team has over 40 years of experience in Business Immigration and Investor Visa. If you are looking for a trustworthy and transparent advise on how to apply, establish and operate a successful business in Canada, contact us or take a free assessment.
