Canada is one of the world's wealthiest nations, a member of the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Group of Eight (G8). Apart, from
that, Canada’s proximity to United States, which is the largest trading partner
of Canada and whose population are huge consumers of goods and services produced
in Canada. All these factors make Canada one of the most attractive place to establish
or expand your business.
The Business Class Immigrant program was designed to attract immigrants who have
abilities and resources to invest or establish business in Canada and are expected
to support and strengthen the development of the Canadian economy. The Business
Immigration Programs seek to attract business-experienced individuals to Canada.
Business immigrants are expected to make a $400,000 investment or to own and manage
a business in Canada.
Canada has three classes of business immigrants, each having different eligibility
criteria: investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons. Each
application can be made for only one class. The detailed requirements of each program
are as follows:
Investors: The Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) allows applicants
with business experience and a legally obtained minimum net worth of $800,000 to
immigrate to Canada provided that they make an investment of $400,000.
The $400,000 investment is administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
and is fully guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use the investment to create
jobs and help their economies grow.
CIC will return your $400,000 investment, without interest, approximately five years
and two months after payment.
You may finance your investment through Canadian financial institutions. Citizenship
and Immigration Canada has agreements with a number of financial institutions.
Apart from that, you have to obtain a minimum of 35 points in a selection grid designed
to determine whether you will be able to become economically established in Canada.
Entrepreneurs: The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced
persons that will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that will contribute
to the Canadian economy and create jobs for the Canadian citizens.
To qualify under this category, applicants are expected to have business experience
and a legally obtained minimum net worth of $300,000. “Net worth”,
in respect of an entrepreneur, means the fair market value of all of the assets
of the entrepreneur and their spouse or common-law partner minus the fair market
value of all of their liabilities.
Apart from that they have to commit to CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
of managing at-least one-third of a business of a defined size for at least one
year within three years of landing in Canada.
All applicants must indicate in writing that they intend and will be able to meet
these conditions, which are also applicable to all family members.
Self Employed: The Self-Employed Person Program allows applicants
with relevant experience in culture, athletics or farm management to immigrate to
Canada provided that they make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic
life of Canada or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
Only immigrants who have been self-employed in cultural activities or in athletics
or have farm management experience are eligible for this class.
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