Investor Visa
With an aim to strengthen its economy, Canada has always welcomed new talent and foreign investors through numerous Entrepreneur and Investor Visa options along with provincial-specific nominee Programs.
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program facilitates foreign nationals to have permanent residence in the country and start a business anywhere in the country to increase employment and promote economic development. For this visa, the immigrants have to make a qualifying investment in the country. Additionally, the applicant and the business are required to fulfill a certain criterion.
Business Requirement
As per the business requirement, once a designated organization commits to the business, all the applicants (up to 5 per application) are required to hold 10 % or more of the voting rights linked to all outstanding shares of the corporation.
• Along with the designated organization, these applicants must have more than 50% of the total voting rights linked with the outstanding shares of the business.
• After receiving the permanent residency, the applicant is required to actively manage the business while living in the country. Also, they must ensure that vital functions of the business are performed in Canada.
Letter of Support
To initiate the business in Canada, the applicant is required to have a letter that displays support and willingness to invest from the designated organization, which includes Venture Capital Firms, Angel Investor Groups, and Business Incubators.
Language Requirements
As an applicant, one is required to score at least level 5 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level in either English or French.
Settlement Money
An applicant is required to display proof of funds to show they have sufficient funds to easily settle in Canada along with their family.
Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur and Investor Visa Options
Through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canada invites immigrants to study, work, and settle in varied provinces of the country as per the provinces’ pre-set criteria and requirements. In addition to this, each PNP has a minimum of one entrepreneur or investor visa category to welcome the investors and entrepreneurs to invest and add to the economy of these provinces.
The business pathways offered by varied Canadian provinces are:
• Alberta: Rural Entrepreneur Stream and Self-Employed Farmer Stream
• British Columbia: Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category and Regional Stream
• Manitoba: Entrepreneur Pathway and Farm Investor Pathway
• New Brunswick – Business Immigration Stream
• Newfoundland and Labrador: International Entrepreneur Stream and International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
• Northwest Territories – Business Stream
• Nova Scotia: Entrepreneur Stream
• Ontario: Entrepreneur Stream
• Prince Edward Island: Work Permit Stream and Farm Owner and Operator Category
• Yukon – Business Nominee Program
Additionally, each visa program has its own rules and requirements that may raise numerous queries related to the same.
ImmigCanada’s professionals can guide you through every step of the investor visa process, providing a clear and detailed understanding. Connect with our licensed RCICs today for expert assistance.