Business Immigration Program for Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-Employed Immigrating to Canada

Who is Eligible under the Business Immigration Program

In order to be eligible under the Business Immigration Program, the applicant must first meet the regulatory definition and obtain the minimum points (35) required in a selection grid process which will determine whether they will be able to become economically established in Canada.

Business immigrants are expected to make a C$800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada.

The Business Immigration program includes three classes:

• Investors.
• Entrepreneurs.
• Self-employed.

The criteria individuals must meet to qualify are different for each class. Only one application can be filed for only one class and the class cannot be changed once the application is submitted.

Investors must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$1,600,000 that was obtained legally, and
• make a C$800,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada IRCC (formerly known as CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.

IRCC (formerly known as CIC) will return your C$800,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.

Entrepreneurs must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$300,000 that was obtained legally, and
• respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada.

Self-employed persons must:

• have relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or
• have experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

How to Apply under the Business Immigration Program

The application process involves two parts for self-employed and entrepreneurs who want to apply to become permanent residents:

• the simplified application process, and
• the regular application process.

Most applicants should use the simplified process. However, individuals must use the regular process if:

• they have been selected by Quebec
• they have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and they are submitting their application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo; or
• they have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and they are submitting their application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If none of the situations described above applies to the individual, they must use the simplified application process.

For more information, visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/index.asp