One of the many ways to immigrate to Canada (aside from family reunification and study-work process) is through economic immigration. In this process, you can apply to work in Canada through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Another option is opening or investing in a business in Canada. This process is called investor immigration.
Canadian investor immigration programs
There are different investor immigration programs offered by the federal and provincial government:
- Start-up Business Class
- Provincial Nominee Programs for Investors
- Québec Immigrant Investor Program
1. Start-up Business Class
Start-up Business Class is the prevailing Canadian investor immigration of the federal government. This program will initially provide you a Start-Up Visa to enter, invest, and conduct business in Canada. It will also allow you to apply for permanent residency afterwards.
Explore the different ways of Canadian immigration from the USA here.
To apply under the Start-up Business Class, you must have:
- a qualifying business;
- proficiency in English, French, or both;
- sufficient funds to support your family while in Canada;
- a commitment certificate from a designated entity or institution; and
- proof of available, transferable, and unencumbered investment funds.
There is no set limit for investment funds under this program; however, the amount you will be presenting will be assessed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers.
These officers will base their assessment on the liquidity of the funds rather than the amount invested. This is in addition to other considerations, such as the viability and stability of the business you will be starting.
Before proceeding to invest in Canada, you may want to learn more from an investments lawyer about other investment laws such as the Investment Canada Act.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for Investors
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) offer specific categories for investors, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople as one of its “streams”. After being nominated by a specific province and after operating your business while living in Canada, you may then apply for permanent residency.
Each province has its own criteria and requirements. Here are some of the PNPs focused on investor or business streams:
Alberta
-
Self-Employed Farmer Stream – C$500,000 for a primary production farming business
British Columbia
- Entrepreneur Immigration – C$200,000 for a qualifying business
- Regional Pilot Program – C$100,000 for a qualifying business
Manitoba
- Entrepreneur Pathway – C$250,000 for a qualifying business if located in the Manitoba Capital Region or C$150,000 if it’s outside the Manitoba Capital Region
- Manitoba’s Farm Investor Pathway – C$300,000 for a farm business
New Brunswick
-
Entrepreneurial Stream – C$250,000 for a personal business
Newfoundland & Labrador
-
International Entrepreneur – C$200,000 for a personal business with a minimum ownership of 33.3%
Northwest Territories
- Business Stream – C$300,000 for businesses within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife or C$150,000 if outside
Nova Scotia
- Business Stream – C$150,000 for a personal business
Ontario
- Entrepreneur Stream – C$1 million for a business in the Greater Toronto Area or C$500,000 if anywhere else in Ontario
Saskatchewan
- Entrepreneur Category – C$300,000 if in Regina or Saskatoon or C$200,000 if anywhere else in Saskatchewan
Yukon
- Business Nominee Program – C$300,000 for a business
3. Québec Immigrant Investor Program
Québec’s Immigrant Investor Program has its own process and requirements separate from the PNP of other Canadian provinces. To qualify under this program, you must:
- intend to settle in Québec permanently;
- have a net worth of at least C$2,000,000;
- have at least two years of management experience;
- enter into an investment agreement with a financial intermediary; and
- make a five-year term investment of C$1,200,000
If you think you are qualified under Québec’s investor immigration program, apply online to submit the required forms and documents.
For questions about Québec’s Immigrant Investor Program, contact a legal immigration expert in Québec.
Who is eligible for an investor visa in Canada?
Certain requirements apply under a Canadian investor immigration program, such as:
- a qualifying business to get a business visa Canada;
- business ownership experience or senior management experience; and
- proficiency in English, French, or both
You should also consider additional guidelines under the specific Canadian investor immigration program you are applying for.
How much money do you need to immigrate to Canada as an investor?
An investor visa may be acquired through investments into the Canadian government or investments into a business.
For the former, you must invest anywhere from C$150,000 to C$800,000 to the Canadian government; for the latter, the investment amount or the starting capital of a business will depend on the specific investor program that you're applying for. This is an addition to the net worth that you must provide proof for. That will also depend on the province and the Canadian investor immigration program you are applying for.
Can investors get permanent residency or citizenship in Canada?
Upon entering Canada through any of the investor immigration programs, you may apply for permanent residency. After establishing the start-up business or investment, it will usually take five years of residency to become a Canada citizen.
Read to learn more on how to immigrate to Canada if you're a citizen from Philippines here.
Ask us about the different Canadian investor immigration programs by dropping your questions below or consulting with the best immigration lawyers in Canada.