1. What are the requirements for qualifying as an investor?
To qualify as an investor, you must have two years of business experience and a net worth of at least C$800,000 that was obtained legally. You must also obtain a minimum of 35 points in a selection grid designed to determine whether you will be able to become economically established in Canada. Before a visa is issued, you must make an investment of C$400,000 to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
You can find more information on the Immigrant Investor Program, including definitions of the various terms that apply to the Program, in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
2. What is the procedure for becoming an investor?
You must meet all the eligibility requirements, pass medical, criminal and security checks, and make an investment of C$400,000. You can find more information under How to apply in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
3. What are the business experience requirements?
You must have been a part or full owner of a business for two years or more, or have managed the equivalent of five full-time workers in a business for a minimum of two full years. You will find full details in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
4. Does the business experience have to be recent?
The business experience must be in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.
5. What is meant by “business”?
You can find definitions of all the terms that apply to the Immigrant Investor Program in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
6. How do I satisfy Citizenship and Immigration Canada that my net worth was obtained legally?
You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to back up both your income sources and your net worth.
7. Who is responsible for the investment operations of the program?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) administers all aspects of the program, including the investment that successful applicants must make. CIC acts as an agent for the participating provinces and territories.
8. What documents do I receive after I make my investment?
You will receive a zero interest promissory note that is not transferable. You cannot sell the promissory note, but you can use it as collateral for a loan. At the maturity date, you must return the promissory note to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for repayment of your C$400,000 investment.
9. Why do you recommend that I make my investment through a Citizenship and Immigration Canada-approved facilitator?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has set up administrative procedures with a number of facilitators to assist in the payment and redemption of your C$400,000 investment. These services are available to you at no cost. Facilitators also offer a variety of financing options if you want to finance your investment or use your promissory note as collateral for a loan in the future. You can find more information about facilitators in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
10. Where do most immigrant investors come from?
Investors come from all over the world. Currently, the majority of investors are from China, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong, but there are also substantial numbers of investors applying from the Middle East and elsewhere. You can find more information on where business immigrants come from in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s annual report, Facts and Figures. You will find a link to the report in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.