What is Canada’s Investor Visa?

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Canada offers investment or Business Visa to encourage immigrants who have a record of proven business running experience and are interested in establishing a business overseas or to invest in Canada. They can be either interested in opening a new business venture or buying an existing business located in Canada. These investor programs seek to attract potential overseas investors who have enough personal net worth and business/managerial experience.

Canada provides one of the most advanced and established investment-based immigration programs to offer you a permanent residency. If you are a business person or an entrepreneur then the Canada investor visa program shall be a favorable option for you.

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Canada seeks to attract individuals to immigrate with business and/or managerial experience who will contribute to the Canadian economy. Under the Canadian Business model, immigrants migrating for business interests can avail the benefits of a health care program, first-class education, and a national pension system.

If you’re looking to make an investment in Canada or to acquire a business in Canada then, there are several pathways for you to choose from. For example, you can either apply under the federal start-up visa program or in any of the provinces where an Applicant wishes to apply depending on your specific requirement. 

 

What is the Investor Visa Canada Category?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) established a Canada Investor Visa program under the name of Immigrant Investor Program to promote employment and economic development in Canada by attracting people with intention of capital investment, business interests, or managerial skills for immigration to Canada.

With a Canadian Investor Visa, the applicant can obtain Canada's permanent resident visa by investing $800,000 CAD for five years in the country. Applicants to this program should be residing in any Canadian province/territory except Quebec. The investment is government guaranteed, assuring that your CAD$800,000 will be reimbursed in full at the end of five years. No interest is to be paid on your investment.

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With the Canadian investor Visa, Canada is now considered to be one of the most profitable countries in the world for Investing in numerous sectors like Information Technology, Jewellery Manufacturing, Agriculture, Petroleum, etc.

The Canada Investor Visa program gives you and your family authorization to live, work, study, and travel in Canada without any restrictions. To qualify for this visa, you must provide proof of the personal net worth of at least $1,600,000CAD to IRCC. Also, as an investor, you must submit proof of your two years of business experience and must commit to making a minimum investment of $800,000CAD into Canada.

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Once the immigration authorities in Canada approve your Investor Visa application, you are required to make the minimum investment within 30 days. Rest assured, under this program the investment is guaranteed and regulated by the Canadian government itself. After five years, the Canadian government will return the investment to the investor (without interest).

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What are the requirements/ eligibility for investors?

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The Canada Investor Program requires the applicants two years of business or senior management experience in the last five years. Examples of appropriate business/ management experience can be, commercial business, professional business given that the private enterprise or partnership had at least 2 or more full-time employees excluding the applicant). Other businesses can be agriculturally related to farm management, foreign government department or agency, internal organization, or industrial management. The qualifying business for this program would include some part of the management, planning, and control of both the financial side and the physical side of the business organization. It is important to note that any unauthorized work experience would not count.

The eligibility criteria shall broadly include:

• Availability of funds to invest in Canada.

• Prior business profile of at least two years.

• Local language proficiency, i.e., English or French.

• Business credentials & banking history.

• Medical & conduct evaluation.

Investors must also meet the following requirements to qualify:

• The investor must not intend to live in Quebec (see Quebec Investor Program if Quebec is your preferred province).

• The investor must have a minimum net worth of CAD 1,600,000 (through authorized and legally run businesses).

• The investor must make a CAD 800,000 investment to the Government of Canada (which shall be returned to the investor after 5 years, without interest).

• The investor (and family members) could be rejected and found inadmissible on grounds of health and security.

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What is the amount of investment required?

An investment of at least CAD 800,000 is to be made by the investor and it will be administered by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. IRCC will return the $800,000 investment approximately 5 years after payment, without interest. This investment is guaranteed and monitored by the Canadian provinces, which will use the investment to create jobs and help grow the economy.

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What is the process of applying for an Investor Visa? 

Applicants are normally required to invest within 30 days of the application after being approved. Once the application is approved and the investment is made, the applicant and his or her immediate family may apply for their PR visas.

However, the processing times for the applicants of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program can take anywhere from 16-24 months. Also, the amount of time the processing will depend on various factors (primarily on the number of current investor applicants in a candidate’s geographic pool). After approval, the applicant and their family members can receive Canadian citizenship in 4 years. 

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What are the benefits of an Investor’s Visa in Canada?

The various PR programs for investors are typically designed to attract potential business investors from around the globe to immigrate to Canada, which in turn provides benefits like:

• High standard of living.

• Advanced healthcare and education.

• Settle with your family and dependants.

• Favorable investment policies. 

• Travel benefits allow you to conduct business globally.

• Fast track pathway to citizenship

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What are the categories of Business Investor Visas in Canada?

Individual investors with business experience and a high net-worth can apply for a Canadian permanent residence under the Investors Visa Program in one of the following sub-categories:

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Start-Up Visa Investor Program

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada as an investor, one of the most appealing programs to look for is the general Start-up Visa Program. You will have to meet certain qualifying requirements for your application to be approved by an innovative business plan to create jobs for Canadians and be able to compete in the international business markets.

To qualify for the Start-up Visa, the applicant must:

• Have a qualifying business.

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of English or French (CBL5).

• Get a letter of support from a designated institution (Receive a minimum funding commitment of $200,000 CDN from a designated Venture Capital Organization, $75,000 from an approved Angel Investor, or Business Incubator). 

• Invest a certain amount to settle in Canada

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Entrepreneur Program

As entrepreneurs create employment opportunities and contribute to the economy, international immigrants are encouraged to apply for this particular immigration stream. Successful applicants can run a business in Canada, as well as gain permanent residence status in the country.

Requirements for the Entrepreneur program are:

• Establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada within 2 years of landing in Canada that shall result in a significant contribution to the economy.

• Proactively engage in active and ongoing participation in the management and operations of the business.

• Employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident other than the entrepreneur or his dependents.

To ensure that these conditions are met, entrepreneurs are required to report to immigration officials regularly within these two years.

Self-Employed Persons Program

This business immigration stream is for applicants who will either establish or purchase a business in Canada that will make a significant contribution to Canada’s economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada. 

Eligibility under Self-employed person program:

• relevant experience (of at least 2 years in the last 5 years).

• be willing and sufficient to be self-employed in Canada.

• meet the program’s selection criteria (a minimum of 35 points).

• meet medical, security, and other conditions apply.

 The approval criteria are based on: 

• experience

• education

• age

• language abilities

• adaptability

PNP Business Programs

Canada’s provinces and territories have their own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A PNP allows a province or territory to nominate an applicant for immigration to Canada to settle in that province, and based on the province’s economic needs.

Business immigration under these Provincial Nominee Programs exists for individuals that are planning to start or invest in a Canadian business venture. The minimum investment and net worth requirements vary from province to province. Also, each PNP business immigration program creates the requirements that best serve the economy of that particular province.

Every PNP business program requires the applicant to create a detailed business plan. The plan must elaborate on the type of business being purchased or established, as well as detailed financial projections demonstrating the purchase of the business will benefit the local economy and labor market.