Canada Federal Business Visas

The program that grants immigrant or permanent resident visas for business people seeks to attract investors who favor the development and growth of the Canadian economy.

Canada Federal Business Visas – Invest in Canada

Candidates must be able to make significant investments and direct business operations in Canada.

There are two immigration programs for business people: the program administered by the federal government of Canada, with jurisdiction throughout the country; and the Quebec program, aimed at investors who wish to settle solely in this French-speaking province.

We explain below the immigration program of the federal government of Canada, aimed at business people (entrepreneurs and investors):

Immigration program of the federal government of Canada for business people

Designed to attract experienced investors interested in placing capital or opening financial operations in Canadian territory to join the development of a solid and prosperous economy in Canada.

The candidate must meet certain basic selection criteria. According to his profile, he may apply for one of the three categories that make up the program: investor, entrepreneur or self-employed worker. 

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Only one application can be entered in any of the three categories and it cannot be modified during the process.

Below we describe in detail each of the categories of the immigration program for business people of the federal government of Canada:

Investor

Aimed at business people with at least two years’ experience in the world of finance. It is counted as experience having run a company and having controlled a percentage of its own investment capital, for at least two years out of the five years immediately prior to the date of the visa application.

It is also valid to show that you have managed five full-time employees, for at least two of the five years prior to the date of the visa application.

It establishes that the candidate must have (alone or in combination with their spouse or common law partner) net assets in the order of at least 1 million 600 thousand Canadian dollars, which must have been acquired in a lawful manner.

In addition, you must be willing to invest the minimum amount of 800 thousand Canadian dollars in a fixed term that will be administered by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. That investment will be repaid to the capitalist without interest after 5 years from the date of the initial payment.

Additionally, you must have sufficient income to pay for the personal expenses of the visa applicant and the accompanying family members.

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The candidate must be evaluated through the  point system for business people.

As of July 1, 2012, this program is temporarily suspended. The authorities are not receiving visa applications from investors.

The program is expected to be modified.

Entrepreneur

This category is aimed at experienced business people who want to directly operate a Canadian-owned company that will contribute to the economic development of Canada and generate jobs in the country.

The entrepreneur must demonstrate a strong track record in the business world, which means that he or she must have run a qualifying business and controlled a percentage of that business’s equity investment capital for at least two years out of the five years immediately preceding the date of the visa application.

Any business that is not an equity investment for the purpose of withdrawing a placement gain is eligible for this category.

The eligible business must meet at least two of the following criteria:

  • the percentage of equity, multiplied by the equivalent of the number of full-time jobs, is equal to or greater than the number equivalent to two full-time jobs per year;
  • the percentage of equity, multiplied by the annual sales volume, is equal to or greater than 500 thousand dollars;
  • the percentage of own capital, multiplied by the net income for the year is equal to or greater than 50 thousand dollars;
  • the percentage of own capital, multiplied by the net assets at the end of the year is equal to or greater than 125 thousand dollars.

The candidate must have (alone or in combination with their spouse or partner in common law) net assets that exceed the total of their liabilities by at least 300 thousand Canadian dollars, which must have been acquired in a lawful manner.

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The applicant is required to prove their language skills by attaching valid language certificates for the Canadian government to their file.

The applicant and accompanying family members will be required to submit certain medical examinations and criminal history tests.

This program is temporarily suspended. The authorities are not receiving visa applications from entrepreneurs as they are making significant changes to the program in order to adapt it to Canada’s current economic needs.

The program is expected to be reinstated. 

Autonomous worker

This category works for those who have the intention and the ability to create employment for themselves in an area in which they will also contribute significantly to the cultural, sports or agricultural development of Canada.

The self-employed worker must meet one of the following two requirements:

  • Possess relevant experience that will enable you to make a significant contribution to cultural life or sport in Canada;
  • Possess agricultural management experience and have the intent and ability to acquire and operate a farm or estate in Canada.

The applicant’s experience is very important; A minimum of two years of experience in the course of the 5 years immediately prior to the date of application will be required.

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The practice of any of the following activities is considered relevant experience:

  • participation in cultural or sports activities on an international scale;
  • the trajectory as a self-employed worker in activities of an artistic, cultural and sports nature, such as: library science, artistic curatorship, public relations, literature, artistic and choreographic production, music, singing, dance, acting, painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, radio broadcasting , locution, athletics, sports training and arbitration.
    Typical examples of self-employed workers in the arts and culture are the following professionals: writers, painters, sculptors, visual artists, playwrights and theater people, musicians, designers, artisans, film professionals and industry technical support workers cinematic.
  • experience in the administrative management of estates or farms.

The candidate must meet other requirements

In addition, the candidate must meet other requirements, such as undergoing medical examinations, presenting proof of good conduct and that he complies with the security controls of the Canadian government and demonstrate that he has sufficient savings to cover his economic needs and those of the members of his family during their installation in Canada.

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Likewise, it must be demonstrated that you have the necessary money to develop the economic activities in your area of ​​expertise.

For example, if the self-employed person is a farm management specialist, they must show that they have the necessary funds to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

The candidate must be evaluated through the  point system for business people .

Those interested in submitting a self-employment visa application can contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada directly .

There is an evaluation or “Points System” to qualify for a visa for business people. It is also convenient to know the Start-Up Visa program especially for entrepreneurs.

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