Business Immigration Canada

For many years the Canadian government has offered various business immigration programs through its immigration laws and regulations to facilitate permanent residence for business people and their family members who are seeking to immigration to Canada.  

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has permanent resident options for businesses in the following categories:

• Self-Employed Persons
• Start-Up Visas
• Provincial Nominee Programs. 

Self-Employed Persons

Individuals who have experience in cultural or athletic activities in two (2) out of the past five (5) years may be eligible to apply under this Category provided that they meet certain selection criteria.

The required experience must involve cultural activities or athletics and  participating in cultural activities or athletics at a world class level. A self-employed applicant must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make significant contributions to cultural activities or athletics.

This category is often a good option for foreign nationals who are directors, producers, actors, artists, conductors, coaches, trainers and athletes in a range of sports.  You will need to demonstrate that you have at least two (2) years of self-employment experience in cultural or athletic activities or two (2) years of participating in these activities at a world class level and have documentary evidence of the same. Language tests showing proficiency in English or French are required. 

Start Up Visa

The start up visa program grants permanent residence to foreign entrepreneurs who are able to secure a minimum investment for their business venture through one of the government’s designated venture capital firms, angel investor groups or business incubator organizations.  If you are an entrepreneur who has the skills and background that will enable you to establish a qualifying business in Canada that will create jobs, is innovative and will be globally competitive, you may be eligible under the start up visa program. Minimum language test results in English or French are required and you will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members. 

The first step in this process is obtaining a letter of support from a designated organization. Once a letter of support is issued, it is possible to apply for a short-term work permit 

A letter of support, evidence of meeting the language requirements and demonstrating sufficient funds are the minimum eligibility requirements that must be met prior to submitting an application for permanent residence. 

Provincial Nominee Programs

While Canadian immigration laws are within the jurisdiction of the federal government (with the exception of Quebec), the provinces and territories of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon have all been granted limited authority to select prospective permanent residents for their provinces.  Each province and territory have established categories for business or entrepreneurial  immigrants.  For example, there are Graduate Entrepreneur streams (Alberta), Entrepreneur Streams (BC, Manitoba, Ontario, PEI, Saskatchewan), Business Immigration streams (New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Yukon). 

Typically, once a Province issues a Nomination Certificate, there is an opportunity to apply for a work permit in Canada while the remainder of the application is under process. 

Each Provincial Nominee Program maintains its own rules, qualifying criteria and guidelines.