Canada Business and Investor Visa – Expanding your business and investing in another country’s economy is a sure way to increase your net worth. With Canada’s wealth of natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and stable government, it is easy to see why Canada list one of the top ten easiest countries to start a business in.
With Canada’s 14 trade agreements with over 51 countries, it is easy to see that obtaining a Canadian business and investor visa will benefit you and your business. With Canada’s increased number of skilled workers and the lowest tax on new businesses, it is a perfect choice for business growth and expansion.
What is the Canada Business and Investor Visa?
The Canadian government created the Canada Business and Investor Visa to attract entrepreneurs and investors to immigrate to Canada. Canadian immigration works towards ensuring the country’s economic success through diversification of businesses and development.
The Investor Visa is granted to people who meet the minimum investment requirements in any qualifying business of choice. Though you can apply directly for a Canadian business and/or investor visa, a provincial nominee program is set up specifically by the different provinces and territories.
This gives provinces and territories the power to invite business owners and investors to set up a business in Canada or invest in local businesses. This invitation also extends to their immediate family members to live in Canada and the high possibility of being offered a Canadian permanent residency.
Who can apply for this visa?
To be eligible for the business or investor visa, the personal information required for eligibility must meet the Canadian government’s requirements.
To make it easier to apply for, the business and investor visa is divided into two to increase the chances of success for entrepreneurs and investors. These are;
- Start-up visa program
- PNP or Investor Visa program.
Any applicant must meet the following requirements.
- Have a net worth of at least CAD$600,000
- Ready to make an investment of at least CAD$200,000, new start-up or existing business
- Create at least one job for Canadians
- Managerial work experience of at least three years in the last ten years
- English Proficiency level, at least CLB4 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing either English or French, the official languages of Canada
- Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma
To apply for the Start-up visa program, your business idea or start-up should get the support of at least one of the following institutions designated by the Canadian government.
These are;
- Venture capital funds
- Business incubator groups
- Angel investor groups
Investor PNP programs ensure that you can meet the requirements before you are invited to apply for the visa.
What are the benefits of the Business and Investor Visa?
Apart from the many benefits of investing or owning a business in Canada, which include;
- Wide access to 51 markets through Canada’s trade agreements
- Stable government
- Low tax on new businesses
- Accessibility to government grants and more
Owning a business or investor visa has multiple benefits, which include;
- Access to government grants: Owning a business or investor visa means accessing one or more of the many government grants available to assist startups and existing businesses alike.
- Increased chances of being offered permanent residence: Owning a business or investor business means that you are willing and able to invest in the Canadian economy by providing business and employment opportunities in the country. This makes you an ideal candidate to be offered permanent residency in Canada.
- Grow your business and network tremendously: In a diverse country like Canada, your business is exposed open to many skilled workers worldwide that will contribute important information for your business growth.
- Financial stability for your business and investment: As a business owner and investor, your investment’s financial stability is at the forefront of your business considerations. With a Canadian business or investor visa, you are assured that your investment in the business of choice is stable and financially secure.
How much does it cost to receive a Canadian business or investor visa?
Once you have all the Canadian business and investor visa requirements, the next step is to start processing your fees and providing proof of funds for you and your dependents. It is important to know that the Start-up visa program costs applicants a different fee than the PNP Investor visa.
The fees for the Start-up Program start from $2,075 and vary differently from province and territory.
The costs vary from province to territory for the PNP investor visa, considering the applicant’s net worth and other factors desired by the desired province or territory.
If you plan to live in Quebec, the province has its own business immigration program, and requirements are checked on the Canada immigration website. It is also important to know that the Investor visa for Yukon has been closed permanently.
How do I check my eligibility for the Canada business or investor visa program?
To be eligible for the Canada business and investor visa, you need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. After this, you also need to meet the specific requirements for either the Start-up Visa program or the PNP Investor Visa.
You can check other eligibility requirements on the official Canada Immigration website.
You can also click here to check your visa qualification using our free immigration profile assessment tool.
