Business Immigration Program
Canada offers the most established and widely-used investment-based immigration programs conferring permanent resident status.
Business immigration offering permanent admission to Canada comprise of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), Quebec Entrepreneur program, Quebec Self-Employed, several Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur programs, the Federal Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program and the Federal Start-Up Visa program. While the various entrepreneur and self-employed programs are aimed at individuals with a mid-range personal net worth who intend to establish and operate a business in Canada, the investor programs are suited for high net worth individuals who wish to make a passive investment with no obligation to establish a business.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Business Visa Canada?
In order to qualify for a Business Persons and Business Delegations Visa, there are certain conditions requirements that the potential applicant must fulfill.
Commitment from a Designated Entity
- 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, or
- 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, or
- A designated business incubator which confirms that it accepting a qualifying business into its program.
Ability in English, in French or both
Settlement Funds
Private sector organizations demonstrate their support of your business idea by providing you with a Letter of Support which details the commitment they are willing to make towards your new business. They will send further details in the form of a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC for assessment.
For your application to be eligible for processing, you must have received a Letter of Support from:
The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important to you as a business immigrant. Proficiency in English, French or both will help you in the Canadian labour market.
You meet the language proficiency requirement for the Start-up Business Class if you have a level of proficiency of at least benchmark level 5 in either official language for all four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.
The money must be available to support the costs of living for yourself and your family. The amount is an estimate of what you would require to support yourself and your family without employment or other income.
The funds must be:
• Available and transferable
• Free of debts or other obligations.
You cannot borrow this money from another person.
You should be aware that Canadian legislation requires persons entering Canada to declare cash funds of $10,000 CDN or more.
You will have to disclose these funds to a Canadian official upon arrival. Cash funds means:
• Money (coins or bank notes),
• Securities in bearer form (stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills, etc.), and
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form (bank drafts, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc.).