Canada Immigration (Business Immigrants)

The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy.

Business immigrants are expected to make a $800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants, each with separate eligibility criteria: investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons. An application can be made for only one class, and once the application is submitted, the class cannot be changed.

Business immigrants are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. The detailed requirements of each program are as follows:

Investors

Note: The Federal Immigrant Investor Program is now closed as 700 complete applications have been received at the Centralized Intake Office. This new annual cap was introduced through ministerial instructions, which came into force on July 1, 2011. The cap will reset on July 1, 2012, unless otherwise indicated in a future ministerial instruction. The cap does not apply to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.

The Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) seeks to attract experienced business persons and their capital to Canada. Investors must demonstrate business experience as well as a legally obtained minimum net worth of CAN $1,600,000, and must make an investment of CAN $800,000.

Entrepreneurs

CIC has temporarily stopped accepting applications for the federal entrepreneur program. Only applications received before July 1, 2011, will be processed. This suspension will continue until further notice.

The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs.

Self-Employed Persons

The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either (a) relevant experience that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or (b) experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.