Business & Investment Immigration

Canada has a strong economic culture. The objective of Canada's Business Immigration Program is to encourage economic growth and employment by attracting investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals from outside Canada with venture capital, business insight and entrepreneurial talent.

Canada offers an environment that is supportive of business, an efficient legal system, a robust economy with established trade relations across the globe, and proximity to the United States market.

Canada welcomes three types of business immigrants for their contributions to Canada's economic and social progress. Individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa under these categories:

Immigrant Investor Program:

To qualify as an investor, an individual must have a net worth of at least CAD$1.6 million, have managerial experience and be willing to make a government-secured passive investment of CAD$800,000 with the Receiver General of Canada for a period of 5 years. The applicant may also seek finance on this investment through Canadian financial institutions.

Entrepreneur Program:

To qualify as an entrepreneur, an individual must have a net worth of at least CAD$300,000 and be willing and able to establish, invest in or acquire a business in Canada and hire one full-time Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Self-Employed Persons Program:

To qualify as a self-employed person, an individual must demonstrate the relevant experience, intention and ability to become economically established in Canada by creating their own employment and contributing significantly to Canada's cultural or artistic life, competition in athletics, or through the purchase and management of a farm in Canada.