Canada is a land of economic opportunity. With wide economic opportunity, Canada is fertile ground for entrepreneurs and new players
1) BUSINESS/INVESTMENT
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program [OINP]
Experience:
- At least 36 months of Full-time Business or Senior Management work experience in the last 60 months
Net Worth:
- If your proposed business is to be located within the Toronto Area in Ontario, you must have a minimum net worth of CAD 800,000
- If your proposed business is to be located outside the Toronto Area in Ontario, you must have a minimum net worth of CAD 400,000
- If your proposed business is to be in IT/Digital Communication sector regardless of any location in Ontario, you must have a minimum net worth of CAD 400,000
Personal Investment:
- If your proposed business is to be located within the Toronto Area in Ontario, you must make a minimum personal investment CAD 600,000 and hold a minimum of 33.3% of the shares
- If your proposed business is to be located Outside the Toronto Area in Ontario, you must make a minimum personal investment CAD 200,000 and hold a minimum of 33.3% of the shares
- If your proposed business is to be in the IT/Digital Communication sector regardless of location in Ontario, you must make a minimum personal investment CAD 200,000 and hold a minimum of 33.3% of the shares
Exploratory Visit:
- If you plan to purchase an existing business, you must make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the last 12 months prior to the date you submit your application
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet the minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Chemical and biochemical
- Cleantech
- Financial Services
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Forestry
- Industrial Automation and Robotics
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mining
- Tourism
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program [MPNP]
Experience:
- Minimum of three years of full time work experience in the past five years either as an active business owner or working in a senior management role of a successful business.
- Be established in Manitoba for three years and is registered as a corporation, limited partnership or own sole proprietorship.
Net Worth:
- Have a revenue of a minimum of $250,000 in the immediate three years preceding the application
- Not currently be on the Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada suspension list
- Not have been fined for breaking the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program
- Be a commercial business and not a home-based business.
- Have an established employer–employee relationship and employees cannot be in a partnership or proprietor relationship (e.g. Owner-Operator in trucking industry, partnership in a restaurant) with the employer
- Not have worked with Employment Agencies recruiting workers for placement with other employers
- Not be seeking to sell their business or portions of their business
- Have a positive history with Manitoba Immigration and Employment Standards (no systemic history of non-compliance) if previously worked with MPNP Employer Services.
Personal Investment:
- Minimum investment of $250,000 for businesses situated in the Manitoba Capital Region.
- Minimum investment of $150,000 if the business is situated outside of Manitoba Capital Region. Business Investment must be made in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP.
- The proposed business must create or maintain at least one job for a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident in Manitoba (excluding owners of the business and/or their close relatives).
Exploratory Visit:
- If you plan to purchase an existing business, you must make at least one business-related visit to Manitoba in the last 12 months prior to the date of your application submission.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet all minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Agribusiness
- Creative Industries
- Education
- Energy and Environment
- Financial Services
- Furniture and Building Products
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Life Sciences and Biotechnology
- Mining and Minerals
- Tourism
- Transportation and Distribution
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program [AINP]
Experience:
- 3 years of work experience in the relevant industry in the country or out the country. A minimum of 9 months’ employment in the province before applying for the Provincial Nominee Program Alberta.
At the time your application is postmarked you must have either:
- A minimum of 12 months’ full-time work experience in your current occupation in Alberta within the last 18 months; or
- A minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in your current occupation in Canada and/or abroad within the last 30 months
- This work experience can be a combination of experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) and/or abroad.
Net Worth:
- Net-worth and Sufficient funds must be showcased by showing the ability to invest $500,000 into a primary production farming company in Alberta, confirmation of a minimum net worth of $500,000
Personal Investment:
- Alberta Self-Employed Farmer is one stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), a Provincial Nominee Program. Personal Net Worth: CAD $500,000. All candidates must create and submit a detailed business plan outlining how they intend to invest in a primary production farming business in Alberta.
Exploratory Visit:
- Interview with an Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) official required. Exploratory visit not required. No deposit required. There are additional selection criteria.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet all the minimum requirements for each factor.
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Oil and Gas
- Petrochemicals
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Information and Communications Technologies
- Tourism
- Interactive Digital Media
- Cleantech
- Aerospace and Defense
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Financial Services
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
Prince Edward Island Immigrant Nominee Program [PEI PNP]
Experience:
- Your management experience could be as a senior executive or a business owner. To prove you have successful management experience, you can provide:
- Certificates of experience
- Copies of business licenses
- Copies of company information such as financial statements
- Detailed information of company ownership
Net Worth:
- Must have a minimum net worth of CAD$600,000 (excludes donations; gifts and private loans)
You must be able to prove how you obtained your Net Worth, by providing:
- Current Bank Certification Letter
- Evidence of Savings Balance
- Fixed or term deposit statement
- Evidence of Public Trade Stock (if applicable)
- Real Property Assessment
- Financial Statement of your business to show its value
- PEIPNP will not accept donations, gifts, and private loans as part of the CAD$600, 000 Net Worth requirement
Personal Investment:
- Must be prepared to make a minimum CAD$150,000 investment.
Exploratory Visit:
- To help you to understand the business environment of PEI, an exploratory visit in PEI is required.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet the minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Aerospace and Defense
- Bioscience and Information Communications Technology
- Renewable Energy
- Financial Services
- Marine
Processing Steps:
- Sign the Contract & Collect Documents (Exploratory Visit Recommended after this step)
- Submit Online Registration & Entering pool
- Receive Invitation to Apply
- Submit Application to PEI
- Attend Interview in PEI
- Receive Residency Status
- Additional steps required for the Permanent Residency Stream.
Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program [NSNP]
Experience:
- At least one-year worth of experience (1560 hours), full-time or equivalent in part-time;
- Paid work (volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count);
In the same occupation;
- Within the last 10 years before the application to the NSOI and the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
- In NOC 2011 Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B.
- Show at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in the last 10 years.
Net Worth:
- Candidates must demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD. Successful applicants must invest a minimum of $150,000 CAD in a Nova Scotia business which they will establish and manage.
Personal Investment:
- Applicants must invest a minimum of $150,000 CAD in a Nova Scotia business
Exploratory Visit:
- Each Nominee is required to make an exploratory visit to Nova Scotia, lasting a minimum of five business days. If the exploratory visit were to be combined with the interview, the application may be submitted beforehand and the interview scheduled for the fourth or fifth business day of the visit.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet the minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Oceans
- Information Communication Technology
- Seafood
- Agrifood
- Natural resources
- Aerospace and Defense
- Digital Media
- Film and Television production
- Financial Services
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
British Columbia Investment Nominee Program [BC PNP]
Experience:
- The applicant should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in Business Ownership or Senior Management Experience. Candidates who apply for the British Columbia Investor Program should be able to prove their language proficiency.
Net Worth:
- The Entrepreneur immigration stream targets senior managers or business owners who wish to invest in British Columbia The personal net worth of a minimum of, legally obtained $600,000. $200,000 in an eligible new business or to purchase and improve an existing business in BC.
Personal Investment:
- Invest a minimum of $200,000 in an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in BC.
Exploratory Visit:
- All interested entrepreneurs must first assess their eligibility for the program and complete an exploratory visit to the community where they wish to set up their business.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet the minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Aerospace
- Agrofoods
- Clean
- Economy
- Electric
- Export
- Forestry
- Lifestyle
- Mining
- Technology
- Tourism
- Transportation
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program [SINP]
Experience:
- A minimum of three years entrepreneurial or relevant business management experience. You must show your intention to live and actively invest in Saskatchewan.
Net Worth:
- The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program stream requires a net worth of $500,000 and a minimum investment of $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon, or $200,000 is any other Saskatchewan Applicants must be able to demonstrate the existence of this net worth (property, cash, vehicles etc.)
Personal Investment:
- Invest a minimum of $300,000 CAD in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of $200,000 CAD in all other Saskatchewan communities
Exploratory Visit:
- The exploratory visit is mandatory for persons purchasing an existing business or a business succession opportunity in all Saskatchewan communities including Regina and Saskatoon, as well as for applicants purchasing and actively managing a rural business opportunity.
Partnership Option:
- If you are applying with a business partner who is also seeking nomination, your partner must also meet the minimum requirements for each factor
Preferred Areas to Invest or Buying existing business:
- Agriculture & Agri-value
- Forestry Development
- Manufacturing
- Minerals
- Energy
- Life Sciences and Biomass
- Mineral Exploration and Mining
- Oil & Gas
Processing Steps:
- EOI: Submit Expression of Interest, which will be entered the pool and ranked by score. If satisfying all the criteria, then ministry will invite to apply to MPNP stream
- Invitation to Apply: After getting the invitation, you will need to submit a completed application package including all documents in support to your EOI and complete a Business plan. After verification of all documents and analyzing the business plan the ministry will issue the approval or refusal
- Performance Agreement: After the approval of your business plan, you need to sign a performance agreement based on the business plan
- Temporary work permit/Resident visa: After signing the performance agreement, you will be issued a temporary work permit/resident visa. After meeting the commitments in the performance agreement, you will be nominated by the MPNP for Permanent Residents [PR]
- Permanent Resident: Successful nominees must apply to IRCC for Permanent Resident status within 6 months of being nomination by MPNP
2) SELF EMPLOYED CLASS
The Self Employed Class is designed towards applicants who have relevant self-employment experience as well as the intention and the ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada, or to create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.
Requirements for Self Employed Class:
- A successful applicant is one who has at least two years of experience in the period beginning five years before the date of the application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application, in self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics; participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; or farm management experience.
- Applicant must meet the required level in basic language proficiency from a designated language testing organization either French or English.
- Applicant must demonstrate a sufficient financial net worth which, should enable the applicant to be self-employed in Canada and make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada and to meet the initial settlement requirements for the applicant and accompanying dependents.
Selection Factors:
Maximum points for the selection factors are listed below:
- First Official Language- 16 (English or French)
- Second Official Language- 8 (English or French)
- Education- 25
- Age- 10
- Experience- 35
- Business Trip Within 5 Years- 6
- Total Points- 100
- A minimum of 35 points are required.
3) OWNER OPERATOR PROGRAM
This program is designed for business persons who will own and manage a business in Canada, contributing to the economy and creating new jobs. They must demonstrate business experience and a minimum legally obtained net worth of CDN $300,000.
4) VENTURE CAPITAL PILOT PROGRAM
The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program has reopened. CIC will accept applications from May 25 to December 30, 2015, and will process the first 60 complete applications. CIC will also accept up to 60 additional applications that will be placed on a waiting list. The program may close earlier if 60 immigrant investors are approved for permanent residence, or once 60 applications are in processing and 60 applications are on the waiting list.
REQUIREMENTS FOR IIVC
Personal Net Worth:
- Must have a personal net worth of CDN $10 million or more.
- Net worth must have been acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities.
- Personal net worth acquired by inheritance or in the value of your primary residence will not count towards the personal net worth requirement.
Language Skills:
- Must prove your proficiency (CLB 5) in English or French in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, listening and writing)
- Language test results must be less than two years old on the day CIC receives application.
Education:
- Must have completed Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate of at least one year; or
- Must have a foreign equivalent, as validated by an original Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a CIC-designated organization. The ECA report must indicate that your completed foreign education credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year.
- If investors can demonstrate that they have a personal net worth of $50 million or more acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities, they can request an exemption from the education requirement when they apply.
5) START UP VISA PROGRAM
The Start-Up Visa Program was introduced by ministerial instruction in April 2013 as a pilot project. The Start-Up Visa program grants Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with the Canadian private sector businesses, (angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators) and facilitate the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.
Applicants to Canada’s Start-Up Visa program must meet four basic eligibility requirements:
- Obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate or Letter of Support;
- Have sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds;
- Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education;
- Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5)
The required commitment from a designated entity must meet the following criteria:
- A designated angel investor group must confirm that it is investing at least $75,000 CAD into the qualifying business, or two or more commitments from designated angel investor groups totaling $75,000 CAD; OR
- A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 CAD into the qualifying business or two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totaling $200,000 CAD; OR
- A designated business incubator must confirm that it is accepting the applicant into its business incubator Program.
In order to qualify, the intended business must be incorporated and carry on conducting business in Canada at the time the commitment is made and:
- The applicant owns a least 10% of the voting rights in the corporation; AND
No other person holds 50% or more of the total amount of voting rights in the corporation.