Business Immigration Programs

FEDERAL  SELF-EMPLOYED

FEDERAL  START-UP  VISA

ONTARIO  INVESTOR  PROGRAM

Canada welcomes successful business individuals who are looking for new opportunities and challenges. The Self-Employed Business Immigration class is designed to encourage and facilitate the admission of these individuals to Canadian market. Both the federal, provincial and territorial governments welcome self-employed immigrants and offer services to help them settle in Canada. Applicants in this category must demonstrate relevant experience within the last five years before the date of the application. Relevant experience means:

• For at least two years within the five years before the application is submitted.
• Self-employment in cultural activities or athletics.
• Participation, at the world-class level, in cultural activities or athletics.
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Applying under this category, there are no conditions imposed on the applicant. However, they must have experience as stated above, intention and ability to:

• Establish a business that will at least create an employment opportunity for themselves which will make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics in Canada.
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The application to come to Canada under this category, will be assessed against a point system consisting of five selection factors:

• Business experience
• Age
• Education
• Language Proficiency
• Adaptability

Not sure if you meet the requirements as a Self-Employed individual, do not hesitate to book a consultation to review your eligibility.

The Start-up Visa program is unique to Canada and is specifically designed to target immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:

• Are innovative
• Can create jobs for Canadian residents
• Can compete on a global scale
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To be eligible to apply for the start-up business visa, a foreign national must:

• Have obtained a written commitment from Angel investors group to invest a minimum of $75,000,
• Have obtained a written commitment from Venture capital funds to invest a minimum of $200,000,
• Must be accepted into one of Business incubators programs,
• Demonstrate language proficiency,
• Have completed at least one year of high school in good standing,
• Have the appropriate funds available.

For more information or to determine your eligibility, please contact our office to get an expert advice.

The Ontario Investor or Entrepreneur stream is an immigration stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It is designed for entrepreneurs from outside Canada who are interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in Ontario. It gives an entrepreneur (and up to one foreign national business partner) the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in Ontario.

The Ontario Investor Stream application is a two-stage process:

Stage 1

• Register an expression of interest.
• If invited, submit an online application.
• Attend interview.
• If application is successful, sign a performance agreement.

Stage 2

• Apply for a temporary work permit.
• Establish your business – you get 20 months to implement your business plan and submit a final report.
• If all requirements are met, submit documentation to ensure eligibility for nomination for permanent residence.

To become eligible under OINP, you must demonstrate:

• Business experience – 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.
• Net worth – If your business is to be located in GTA, you must have a minimum personal net worth of $800,000. If your business is outside of GTA, you must have a minimum personal net worth of $400,000
• Personal investment funds and minimum equity – If your business is to be located in GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $600,000. If your business is outside of GTA, you must make a minimum personal investment of $200,000
• Must be actively involved in the management of the business.
• The business must be to make a profit.
• Job creation – Depending on the location you must create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• With some additional requirements if you are purchasing an existing business.

For more information or to determine your eligibility, please contact our office to get an expert advice.