Business

The Government of Canada welcomes and encourages international business people to invest their entrepreneurial expertise, technical skills and investment capital in Canada's economy. The objective of the Business Immigration Program is primarily to promote, encourage and facilitate the immigration of experienced businesspersons from abroad. This class of immigrant makes a positive contribution to Canada's economic development by applying their capital and knowledge to Canadian business ventures, which in turn creates jobs for Canadians and permanent residents.

Canada's Business Immigration Program seeks to promote economic development and employment by attracting people with venture capital, business acumen and entrepreneurial skills. Canada has three (3) types of business immigrants:

• Entrepreneurs
• Self-Employed
• Investors

Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced people with business experience who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs in Canada . Entrepreneurs must:

• Should have at least 2 years of business experience
• Have legally obtained a minimum net worth of CDN $300,000
• Obtain at least 35 points on a points-based assessment
• Respect the conditions placed upon them as entrepreneurs once they arrive in Canada.

Successful applicants of the Federal Entrepreneur program will be granted conditional permanent residence in Canada. Once the application is approved, entrepreneurs must commit to managing and owning a qualifying Canadian business for at least one year after becoming a permanent and within three years of arriving in Canada and the business must have created the equivalent of at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Upon successful completion of the conditions, entrepreneurs can apply for the removal of all conditions and for the granting of permanent residence.
The Federal Entrepreneur visa provides applicants with the opportunity to invest in or establish a business anywhere in Canada (except Quebec), and great flexibility with regards to the nature of business venture, subject to meeting the requirements for the category. Other benefits of holding permanent residence include access to government-subsidized health care, subsidized education and the ability to apply for citizenship once eligible

Self-Employed
Under the Self-Employed Persons Program the individual must demonstrate that they have experience as farmer, athletes (at an international level), or artisans.
Relevant experience consists of at least two years of experience of self-employment or participation at a world class level in art, culture, recreation, or sport activities, as listed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (below).
In order to apply for the Federal Self-Employed visa, applicants must provide evidence of their experience in athletic, cultural or farming activities, have sufficient funds to support their family upon their arrival, and demonstrate their intention and ability to become self-employed throughout Canada. In addition, they will also have to meet some additional requirements.

Eligible self-employed applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have experience in either participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics, farm management experience or self-employment in cultural activities or athletics;
• Possess the intention and ability to become self-employed in the province or territory of destination;
• Possess sufficient English or French language skills;
• Obtain at least 35 points on a points-based assessment; and
• Possess sufficient settlement funds to support their family in Canada.

Once a Federal Self-Employed applicant becomes a landed immigrant, they are free to settle anywhere in Canada, work or pursue further study or invest in a business. Applicants will have access to Canada's first rate communication facilitates, a highly trained workforce, special taxation incentives for business investment, close geographical access to the wider North American market. Other benefits of holding permanent residence include access to government-subsidized health care, subsidized education and the ability to apply for citizenship once eligible.