BUSINESS CLASS IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Canada currently has various Business Class Immigration Programs available, to attract those who have significant financial ability to contribute to Canada’s economy. Attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed business people from around the world will help advance Canada’s Labour market and elevate economic development.
 
Depending on the amount of funds a candidate has available to invest in Canada, there may be several options available to you.
Start-up Visa Program

To be eligible, candidates for the Start-up Visa Program must meet the following general requirements:

  • Have a qualifying business that you created which meets the following conditions:
    • Each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all the shares of the corporation outstanding at that time

               AND

               Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all the shares of the corporation at the time.

    • At the time you receive your permanent residence, the business is incorporated in Canada. In addition, you would provide active and ongoing management and be an essential part of the operations of the business.
  • Pass Canadian security and medical clearances.
  • Prove your business is supported through organizations designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by getting a letter of support. Organizations participating in the start-up Visa Program are Venture Capital Fund, Angel Investor Group, or Business Incubator.
  • Show your business meets ownership requirements.
  • Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities).
  • Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. You’ll need to provide proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada.
  • Plan to settle in a province other than the Province of Quebec.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program

Quebec has 2 streams under its Entrepreneur Program:

 

STREAM ONE

Under this stream, candidates would obtain points for factors such as age, education level, language proficiency in English or French, areas of training and experience, family ties in Quebec, etc.

Minimum requirements of stream one:

  • Minimum education level of Secondary School
  • Show financial self-sufficiency by submitting a contract
  • Demonstrate successful evaluation of the business project
  • Provide a service offer from and enterprise incubator, accelerator, or university entrepreneurship centre
  • No additional points awarded for candidates with a spouse or common-law partner

 

STREAM TWO – This stream has been temporarily suspended and is no longer accepting applications under this stream

Also under this stream, candidates would obtain points for factors such as age, education level, language proficiency in English or French, areas of training and experience, family ties in Quebec, etc.

Minimum requirements of stream two:

  • Minimum education level of Secondary School
  • Show financial self-sufficiency by submitting a contract
  • Demonstrate successful evaluation of the business project
  • Candidates must show a minimum $900,000.00 Net worth/financial resources
  • Controls at least 25% of the equity of the enterprise he or she creates or at least 51% of the equity of the enterprise he or she acquires
  • Can operate the business with accompany spouse or common-law partner, however no additional points would be awarded
Provincial Entrepreneur Program

Each province and Territory in Canada have various entrepreneur program options that are specifically designed to meet their needs.

 

Listed below are some of the options available:

 

  • Yukon Business Nominee Program
  • Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program – Farm Owner & Operator Category
  • Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Category
  • Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program – 100% ownership
  • Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program – Work Permit Stream
  • Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Stream
  • Northwest Territories Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Business Stream
  • Nova Scotia Nominee Program – International Graduate Stream
  • Nova Scotia Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Stream
  • New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program – Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream
  • New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program – Entrepreneurial Stream
  • Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
  • Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
  • BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
  • British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) — Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
  • Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream

 If you want to get further information for the eligibility requirements for any of the provincial entrepreneur programs listed above, contact our office.

Self-Employed Person Program

In order for a candidate to be considered eligible for this program, he or she must meet the definition of a self-employed person. A self-employed person is defined as someone who has relevant experience in a cultural or athletic activity in working for himself or herself.

 

Under the Self-Employed Persons Program, eligible occupations within Canada’s artistic, cultural, and athletic fields include:

Professional Occupations in Art and Culture

  • Librarians
  • Authors and Writers
  • Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
  • Conductors, Composers and Arrangers
  • Actors and Comedians
  • Conservators and Curators
  • Editors
  • Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters
  • Musicians and Singers
  • Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artis
  • Archivists
  • Journalists
  • Dancers
  • Producers, Directors, Choreographers and Related Occupations

Technical and Skill Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

  • Library and Public Archive Technicians
  • Film and Video Camera Operators

  • Interior Designers and Interior Decorators

  • Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcast and performing arts
  • Other Performers
  • Artisans and Craftsperson
  • Coaches
  • Technical Occupations related to Museums and Art Galleries
  • Graphic Art Technicians
  • Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport, and Fitness
  • Support Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting, and the Performing Arts
  • Graphic Designers and Illustrators
  • Patternmakers – Textile, Leather, and Fur Products
  • Photographers
  • Broadcast Technicians
  • Audio and Video Recording Technicians
  • Announcers and other Broadcasters
  • Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit, and other Creative Designers

  • Athletes

  • Sports Officials and Referees

To be eligible, candidates must also meet the program’s selection criteria. The self-employer person program is a points-based program, that considers the following selection factors:

 

  • Experience
  • Age
  • Education
  • Language ability in French or English
  • Adaptability

 

If you would like an assessment completed for this program to see if you qualify, contact our office.

Business Visitors: Work in Canada without a work permit

General criteria for business visitors:

 

  • The foreign national is not entering the Canadian Labour market (for example, they are not engaging in a business activity that is competitive in the marketplace).

The foreign national is not directly entering the Canadian Labour market if

    • the primary source of the remuneration for the business activity remains outside Canada
    • the principal place of business of the foreign national is located outside Canada
    • the accrual of profits remains outside Canada
  • The business activity of the foreign national is international in scope.

For example, they are not engaging with the general public, and are either

    • purchasing for a foreign company
    • receiving training from a Canadian parent or subsidiary of a foreign company

 

When seeking entry into Canada, business visitors should ensure that they have all the relevant documentation to present to the officer. Some documents that may prove the purpose of your visit are letter of invitations from the Canadian Host’s business and documents for proof of business – such as business cards, business papers, etc.

Possible examples of activities in this category include:

 

  • Attendance at
    • business meetings
    • trade conventions
    • exhibitions (not selling to the public)
  • Procurement of Canadian goods and services
  • Activities of
    • people providing after-sales services as part of a warranty or sales agreement
    • foreign government officials not accredited to Canada
    • certain foreign nationals in the commercial production industry, such as advertising, or in the film or recording industry, including those using studios (limited to small groups that are renting studios and not entering the Labour market)

There are many other categories that may allow you to travel to Canada as a business visitor. For further information, contact our office.

Interested in the following?

Assessing if you are qualified to start a business to get Canadian permanent residence