Business Immigration
START UP BUSINESS CLASS
SELF EMPLOYED PERSONS: FARMER/ARTIST/ATHLETE
QUEBEC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Canada welcomes successful business people 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.
Some of the reasons why Canada is the best place to build your business
Strong economic growth: Forbes magazine rates Canada as the best country in the G-20 with which to do business. Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G-7 and among the best fiscal prospects in the G-20.
Low taxes and low business costs: Canada offers a low-cost and low-tax environment so your business can thrive. Canada’s overall tax rate on new business investment is significantly lower than that of other G-7 countries. KPMG ranks Canada as the most tax competitive country in the G-7.
Excellence in research and innovation: Canada offers a winning environment for research and innovation, including world-leading research and development (R & D) infrastructure, scientific talent and innovation incentives. Combined federal and provincial credits can return to foreign investors, on average, up to 30 percent of their R & D investment in Canada.
Top quality of life: Canada’s top quality of life provides a great backdrop for the success of individuals, families and globally engaged companies. According to the World Bank, in 2011 Canadians enjoyed nearly the highest standard of living in the G-20. Canada is home to a highly educated, flexible and multicultural work force.
Individuals with high net worth may be eligible to apply for permanent resident visa under any one of the Canadian business immigration programs.
Business Immigration - Entrepreneur
You need to have at least 33.33% in a business that you are going to start or acquire. Your business must create at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
You must have experience in starting and running your own business. You can obtain Canadian permanent residence for you and your family and spouse as well as children under the age of 22.
criteria for Entrepreneur Immigration
You must have a net worth of at least $300,000 Canadian dollars, business experience, and the intention to start a business in Canada.
The $300,000 net worth could be either in the form of cash or it could be property. The assets of a spouse or common-law partner can also be considered in the assessment of net wealth. As a condition of the program, after immigrating the Entrepreneur must start a business in Canada.
Business Experience Requirement
You have managed a business for at least two years in the five years before the Entrepreneur application and ends on the date a decision is made on your application.
The business must meets at least two of the following four criteria on a fiscal basis:
The business employs at least two people on a full-time basis
The business sales are at least $500,000
The business net income is at least $50,000
The business has net assets of at least $125,000
The above example is if you own 100% of the business. If you a a different percentage of the business these numbers will be adjusted to guage if you meet the criterion.
Start-Up Business
start up business class
A start-up business must be a new business intended to be operated in Canada which meets the criteria of a qualifying business, meaning that the new start-up business has received a commitment from:
a designated angel investor group confirming that it is investing at least $75,000 in a qualifying business or two or more designated angel investor groups confirming that they are together investing a total of at least $75,000 in such a business
a designated venture capital fund confirming that it is investing at least $200,000 in a qualifying business or two or more designated venture capital funds confirming that they are together investing a total of at least $200,000 in such a business
a designated business incubator confirming that it is accepting the applicant into its business incubator program.
Qualifying Business
A qualifying business must meets the following requirements:
A corporation that is incorporated in and carrying on business in Canada is a qualifying business if, at the time the commitment is made:
Each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
Applicants and the designated entity jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
To qualify for the Start-up Business Class, a business should be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada at the time the commitment is made. However, consideration will be given made for a qualifying business whose incorporation is conditional upon the attainment of permanent residence by the applicant(s).
the requirements for applicants under the Start-up Business Class ARE:
Commitment from a Designated Entity
Ability in English, in French or both
Settlement Funds
If you meet all three requirements indicated above, then you may qualify to immigrate to Canada under the Start-up Business Class.
Self-Employed Immigration
SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS PROGRAM
You must be able to support yourself and your dependents in order to qualify as a self-employed person as a farmer, athlete, or artist.
The criterion to qualify - you must have experience, intention and the ability to:
contribute to the cultural or sporting life as an athlete at an international level or as an artisian,
purchase and manage a farm
You must have the relevant experience:
2 years experience in cultural activities or athletics at a world class level,
2 years experience in cultural activities in atheletics,
2 years of farm management experience
Quebec Business Immigration
Quebec Business Immigration
Québec offers a diversified, dynamic, modern and outward-looking economy, a highly skilled labour force, competitive operating costs and an advantageous corporate tax system.
Investor Program
To be eligible for the Investor Program, you must:
Have net assets of at least C$2,000,000, before your application is submitted
Have management experience for at least two years in the five years preceding the application for selection. This experience must include duties related to the planning, management and control of financial, human or material resources under your authority
Intend to settle in Québec
Sign an investment agreement with a financial intermediary (broker or trust company) authorized to participate in the Investor Program
Make a five-year term investment of C$1,200,000 with Investissement Québec - Immigrants Investisseurs Inc.
Obtain, an attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values. The members of your family accompanying you (your spouse of 16 years of age or older and your dependent children of 18 years of age or older) must also obtain the attestation.
The other factors your application will be assessed are your age, education and language skills.
Note: Progam is suspended from November 1, 2019 to April 1, 2021.
Making an exploratory trip to Québec
If you apply to immigrate as an entrepreneur, it is a good idea to make an exploratory visit to Québec before submitting your application. Although not mandatory, an exploratory visit will enable you, depending on the program component selected, to take control of your business project and further develop the main components of your business plan.
Developing your business project
When applying for immigration to Québec under the Entrepreneur Program, you must include your business project, which will be the key factor in assessing your application. Your business project must be presented in the form of a business plan.
Going into business or acquiring a business
Once in Québec, you will have to undertake a number of steps to start your own business. This will be much easier if you made contacts during your exploratory visit.
Two steps to take as soon as you arrive:
Get business start-up support
Completing the formalities for starting a business
Self-employed Worker Program
To qualify for this program:
Create your individual job by working in a profession or trade that you are qualified
Have a net worth CAD $ 100,000
Deposit a specific amount according to the region they are working
Quebec Entreprenur Program
To qualify for this program:
Have net assets of CAD $ 300,000
Have two years experience in the last five years before submitting you application
Establish or acquire a business in Quebec and participate in the managment of the operation
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I qualify to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person?
To qualify as a self-employed person, you must have two years of relevant experience and show that you intend to become self-employed in Canada.
You must also score at least 35 points on a selection grid designed to determine whether you will be able to make an economic contribution to Canada.
How do I immigrate to Canada to become a self-employed person?
You must:
meet the definition of a self-employed person
pass a medical examination
pass criminal and security checks.
What is the relevant experience requirement to immigrate as self-employed persons?
Your experience is relevant if you have:
taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or
been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics
Is there a net worth requirement for the self-employed program?
There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement. However, you will have to satisfy a visa officer that you have enough money to:
settle in Canada with your dependants and
finance the work on which your selection was based.
How can I qualify for the Start-up Visa Program?
To qualify for the Start-up Visa Program, 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
What is the application process for the Start-up Visa Program?
First, you must pitch your business idea to a designated organization and convince it to support your start-up company. Once a designated organization decides to support your business, it will send us a commitment certificate and give you a letter of support.
The process to pitch your idea varies for each designated organization. You must contact the designated organization to find out what you must do to seek its support. If you meet all eligibility criteria, you can submit a completed application, which must include your letter of support.
How can I get support from a designated organization?
You need to contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support.
You need to convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting.
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.
The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. We’ll use both your letter of support and the organization's commitment certificate to assess your application.
HOW CAN WE HELP
We conduct a comprehensive assessment that consist of over 50 questions to assess your eligibility to the program in each of the provinces. We determine which program best meets your needs and prepare your file professionally.
Do you have questions how to immigrate as an entrepreneur? Contact us today and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
