Canada welcomes successful businesspeople who are seeking new opportunities and challenges. The Business Immigration Program is designed to encourage and facilitate the admission of these individuals. Both the federal and provincial/territorial governments welcome business immigrants and offer services to help immigrants start a business and settle in Canada.

This program is suitable for entrepreneurs, investors and business managers interested in establishing in Canada and exploring opportunities. The rapid growth of the country's economy can be applied to a variety of business immigration programs. We have an effective team of business establishment experts and consultants who can provide professional advice to enthusiastic entrepreneurs who want to set up a business or invest in Canada.

To qualify for an investor visa to open a business, you must provide proof of $350,000 – $800,000 CAD. You will also have to provide your net worth. This amount can range (depending on which province you are applying to) from $350,000 – $1,600,000 CAD. Your net worth and income must be obtained legally. If the investment comes from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, you must secure a minimum investment of $200,000. If the investment comes from a designated Canadian angel investor group, you must secure a minimum investment of $75,000.

Below you will find a list of the various programs that are offered at each level:

Successful candidates will receive a letter of support from a government-designated entity (angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator). The government-designated entity is primarily responsible to determine the viability of the applicant’s intended business and present an approved project along with a Commitment Certificate to immigration authorities. Applications are assessed on a pass-fail basis. See the list of designated entities.

Self-employed Persons

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. You must have least two years of relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics and be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.

Start-up Visa Program

Start-up visa programs are initiatives aimed at attracting foreign entrepreneurs to set up innovative high potential businesses with funding and support from a designated Canadian investment organization. You must have a qualifying business, have a letter of support from a designated organization, meet the language requirements, and have enough money to settle and live in Canada before you make money from your business. You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all four areas

Provincial Programs

There are several immigration programs available for entrepreneurs to start a business in a province. Some provinces in Canada have their own categories of entrepreneurship programs to nominate people for permanent residence. Applicants must meet their provincial eligibility criteria and operate a business in that province.

• Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
• British Columbia Business Immigration Component
• New Brunswick Business Applicants
• Ontario Business Investor Stream + Individual Investor Stream
• Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category
• Yukon Business Program
• Northwest Territory Entrepreneur Stream
• Northwest Territory Self-Employed Stream

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