Canada welcomes business owners and entrepreneurs interested in settling down in Canada at both Federal and Provincial Levels. Senior Managers with decision making powers also qualify for Business Immigration Streams. Broad categorization of these programs is given below:
- Federal Business Programs
- Provincial Business Immigration Programs
Federal Entrepreneurial Programs:
Intra-Company Transferee(ICT):
- ICT permits a multinational company to transfer its employees to Canada to carry out its operations at Executive, Senior Managerial or Specialized Knowledge
- Qualified employees under this program DO NOT require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) to obtain the wok permit.
- The employee must be employed with the Parent company for continuous period of one year before the application.
- Both entities continue to exist and operate during such employment.
- The company is financially sound to accommodate such a trasnfer.
- The company may send an employee to start a branch or affiliate firm in Canada.
- Spouses of ICT work permit applicants can apply at the same time and receive open work permits.
For more details and to understand if you qualify for this program, book a consultaion today!
Federal Self Employed Stream :
- If you have taken part in cultural activities at a world class level or have been an athlete for atleast 2 years- you may apply under this program
- You may get extra points if you have more years of experience
- Prove you can be self employed in Canada based on the cultural activity or as an athlete.
- Simplified selection grid that adds extra points based on education, experience, language,Spouse’s education and langauge or relatives in Canada.
For more details and to understand if you qualify for this program, book a consultaion today!
Start-Up Visa Program:
- If you have a strong business plan that can contribute to Canada such as use of Technology or sophisticated process based business, you may convince a Canadian Venture Capitalist, Angel Investor or Venture Capitalist to support your business idea.
- Upto 5 Applicants can apply under single buisness.
- Convince the ‘Designated Entity’ for the Business Concept
- Receive Letter of Support for the Designated Entity
- Apply for Permanent residency.
- You may apply for work permit after receiving support letter or commitment certificate.
Provincial Business Immigration Programs
| Requirements | Ontario Inside GTA | Ontario Outside GTA/ Business in IT | BC Base Program | BC Regional Pilot Program | NovaScotia Entrepreneur | Manitoba Entrepreneur | Saskatchewan Entrepreneur | NB Entrepreneur |
| Investment | $600,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $250,000- in Manitoba Capital Region and $150,000 outside Manitoba Capital Region | $300,000 in Regina and Saskatoon AND $200,000 outside urban Region | $150000 |
| Net Worth | $800,000 | $400,000 | $600,000 | $300,000 | $600,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| #of Employees | Minimum Employment creation for #1 Canadian PR or Citizen | Minimum Employment creation for #2 Canadian PR or Citizen | 1) #1 employee for 6 months if new business 2) existing +1 if purchasing existing business | 1) #1 employee for 6 months if new business 2) existing +1 if purchasing existing business | #1 Full Time Employee | #1 Full Time Employment creation | #2 Full Time Employees INSIDE Regina or Saskatoon–not required in case of business outside REgina or Saskatoon | #1 Full Time Employment creation |
| Min Education | Not Mandatory but earns points | Not Mandatory but earns points | Post Secondary Degree OR 100% ownership in 3 years- Can be shared with spouses | Post Secondary Degree OR 100% ownership in 3 years- Can be shared with spouses | HIgh school or more | HIgh school or more | Post Secondary Education | HIgh School |
| Language | At submission of PR- CLB4 | At submission of PR- CLB4 | At submission of PR- CLB4 | At submission of PR- CLB4 | CLB 5 | CLB5 | Not Mandatory but earns point upto CLB 6 | CLB5 |
| Experience Required as owner or Senior Manager | 2 out of last 5 years (33%) or Senior Manager | 2 out of last 5 years (33%) or Senior Manager | 3+ years as owner (10%) or 4+ years as Senior Manager in last 10 years | 3+ years as owner (10%) or 4+ years as Senior Manager in last 5 years | 3 years out of last 10 years as owner (33%) or 5 years out of 10 years as senior manager | 3 years of experience in last 5 years as business owner (33%) | 3 years of experience in last 10 years in relevant field | 3 years (33% Ownership) |
| Residency Requirement | 75% of the time operating business | 75% of the time operating the business | 75% of the time operating the business | 75% of the time operating the business | 75% of the time operating business | Operate business for at least 6 months before applying for nomination | 75% of the time operating the business | |
| Exploratory Visit Mandatory? | Not Mandatory but earns points- Existing business mandatory | Not Mandatory but earns points- Existing Business Mandatory | Not Mandatory but adds points | Mandatory | New Business not mandatory- Existing business mandatory | Mandatory- higher points for extensive visit of 10 days | Not mandatory in new business- Mandatory for Existing business and growth business | Not Mandatory but recommended |
| Additional Points | 1) 20% Growth in last 2 years 2) 20% exports in last 2 years 3) Similar Business | 1) 20% Growth in last 2 years 2) 20% exports in last 2 years 3) Similar Business | Community Referral is mandatory prior to filing EOI | Extra points for Business Revenue (existing business- from $50k to $500k). Innovation and investment |