Business / Investor Immigration
People with managerial or business experience are welcome in Canada. They may set foot on Canadian soil with the help of the Business/Investor Immigration program. Canada hopes that these foreign nationals will contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
If you wish to start or acquire a business in Canada or make an investment in the country, there are several options open for you.
Federal Start-Up Visa Program
Foreign nationals who wish to start an innovative business in Canada will find the Federal Start-Up Visa Program the most suitable option.
Quebec Business Programs
Foreign nationals planning to live in Quebec either as business persons or investors have several immigration options.
PNP Business Immigration Programs
There are many other Canadian provinces with their own Business Immigration Programs. These come under their Provincial Nominee Programs.
Federal Programs
The primary goal of Canada’s various business immigration programs is to encourage employment and economic development. This is possible by allowing entrepreneurs, investors, plus self-employed professionals from other countries to enter Canadian soil. These foreign nationals should enter Canada with business acumen, entrepreneurial skills, and venture capital.
It is further categorized as Entrepreneur Start-Up Visa Program and Self-Employed Persons Program. People opting for the former option need to secure proper support and funding from a designated Canadian investment company. On the other hand, those opting for the latter should be willing to support themselves and their dependents with self-employed income.
Quebec Programs
These options fall under the Quebec Business Immigration Programs. People opting for the Quebec Business Immigration Program should have investor, self-employed, or entrepreneurial skills. In addition, applicants under this program should prove that they can become financially secure in Canada.
They should also prove that they have the intention of living in Quebec after acceptance. Accepted applicants will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, after which they need to fulfil the requirements set down by the Government of Quebec. An approval for permanent residence will follow this process.
Business Visitors
There are several situations wherein business visitors do not need a Canadian work permit. When you talk about a business visitor, it means a foreign national visiting Canada to participate in global business activities. However, the said person will not enter the country’s labour market.
Canada is proud to have one of the biggest economies on this planet. The nation attracts thousands of temporary business visitors every year. Canada is a member of several organizations and groups, such as:
- Organization for Economic Co-operation (OECD)
- Group of 7 (G7)
- Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
As a result of these memberships, Canada works hard to guarantee that foreign business visitors come on business trips. Some business visitors may enter Canada to conduct trade or business activities without a work permit. This depends upon two factors:
- A person’s nationality
- The type of work
Investor Immigrants
Business Investor Programs depend on an individual’s ability, net worth, and willingness to invest in Canada. The person should also have business acumen and managerial skills before becoming a permanent resident.
Entrepreneurs
Canada has one of the most business-friendly economies in the entire world. This makes the nation quite attractive to foreign business people to develop a new business idea.
Any person planning to visit Canada as an entrepreneur in the government of Canada, Canadian economy, and some specific Canadian provinces, needs to present some attractive options.
Start-Up Visa Program
This visa program inspires immigrant entrepreneurs to extend their companies in Canada. With the help of the Start-Up Visa, the country wishes to target all those foreign entrepreneurs with suitable capabilities of building innovative companies. Canada hopes that these companies can create jobs for the citizens.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is meant to let qualified managers and business owners obtain Canadian PR status. First, however, they need to successfully acquire a commercial, industrial, or agricultural business in Quebec.
Provincial Entrepreneur Programs
The different provinces of Canada offer a wide array of entrepreneur categories within their Provincial Nominee Programs.
Federal Start-Up Visa
The Start-up Visa program allows permanent residence to entrepreneurs immigrating to Canada. It also helps them establish themselves within the country. Immigrant entrepreneurs can grow their companies in Canada under this program.
All the successful applicants associate themselves with Canadian private sector organizations. This association helps them receive the necessary funding, expertise, and guidance in starting and operating their business in Canada.
Quebec Entrepreneur
The Canadian province of Quebec has its entrepreneur program. This program allows qualified managers and business owners a chance to become permanent residents in Quebec. First, however, they need to acquire or start a business within the province successfully.
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program has two streams. Applicants willing to immigrate to Quebec need to apply under one of the streams:
- Stream One: It focuses on new startups or businesses within Quebec with the support of a business accelerator/incubator or university in the province.
- Stream Two: This stream focuses on owner-operated and funded businesses.
Self-Employed
There are immigration programs that are customized for self-employed people from specific industries. These programs are offered by the Canadian government and the government of Quebec.
Federal Self-Employed
If one wishes to qualify under the Self-Employed Persons Program for business immigration to Canada, one must prove that he has suitable athletic, agricultural or artistic experience. This will allow an applicant to self-employ himself successfully in Canada. In addition, the applicant should be able to make a notable subscription to his field of expertise.
Quebec Self-Employed
Canadian immigration’s Quebec Self-Employed category lets qualified people get a chance to obtain Canadian permanent residence. First, however, they need to successfully establish themselves in the province with the help of suitable professions or trade practices.