1. Why does Canada have a business immigration program?
Canada’s Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. The program includes three classes: the Immigrant Investor Class, the Self-Employed Persons Class and the Entrepreneur Class.
Business immigrants are expected to contribute to the Canadian economy by owning and managing businesses in Canada or by making an investment in the Canadian economy.
2. How does Canada benefit from business immigrants?
The Business Immigration Program allows experienced business people to immigrate to Canada and apply their capital, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of markets and technology within the Canadian economy.
3. What are the principal differences between investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons?
Investors must make a C$400,000 investment but are not subject to monitoring or other regulatory requirements once they arrive in Canada.
Entrepreneurs must invest and participate in the management of a business in Canada that creates at least one additional job for someone other than a member of their immediate family. They must report regularly on their progress.
Self-employed persons are selected based on their intention and ability to create a job for themselves in cultural or athletic activities, or to purchase and manage a farm in Canada. They are not subject to monitoring or other regulatory requirements once they arrive in Canada.
You can find links to all three programs in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
4. What type of documents do I have to submit to support my application?
In addition to the usual documents required to support any application for immigration to Canada, you must provide documents that demonstrate your past business experience, such as:
· financial statements
· corporate and personal income tax returns
· tax assessments
· bank statements
· business licences
· minute books
· letters of reference and
· promotional material.
5. Where can I get application forms?
Application forms are available under the Find an application form or guide button in the Quick Links section on the right-hand side of this page. They are also available at all Canadian visa offices.
6. Where do I apply?
You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You can submit it to:
· the office that is responsible for the country where you have been living as a permanent resident or a citizen for at least a year or
· a Canadian visa office in the country where you have citizenship.
7. How long will it take for my application to be processed?
The length of time it takes to process your application is different in each visa office. You can check processing times in the Quick Links section on the right-hand side of this page.