The Business Immigration Program is aimed at promoting economic development and employment through the immigration of people who have the capital, business expertise and entrepreneurial skills. The program also pursues the development of new commercial opportunities and access to foreign markets by attracting people who are familiar with those markets.

To achieve these objectives, the Business Immigration Program currently has two classes of business immigrants: Investors and Self-Employed Persons.

Business Class applicants in both classes must first meet the regulatory definition of the class to which they are applying. Once this test is met, the application is assessed against five selection criteria consisting of relevant experience, age, education, English and/or French language ability, and adaptability. The pass mark for selection under these criteria is 35 points out of a possible total of 100.


Investors
To be eligible for immigration as an investor, an applicant must:

• have either managed and controlled a percentage of equity of a qualifying business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application, or managed at least five full-time job equivalents per year in a business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application;
• have an accumulated net worth of at least CDN $1,600,000 which has been legally obtained; and
• make an investment of CDN $800,000, which will be allocated to participating provinces and territories in Canada for job creation and economic development. The full amount of the investment, which is fully guaranteed by the participating governments, is repaid to the investor without interest after five years.

The personal net worth is determined by considering both business and personal assets and liabilities of the applicant as well as those of the spouse or common-law partner.


Self-Employed Persons
To be eligible for immigration as a self-employed person, an applicant must demonstrate that they have

• at least two years (two one-year periods) of relevant experience;
• the intention and the ability to be self-employed in Canada; and
• the intention and the ability to make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada.

The two one-year periods of experience must have been gained during the period beginning five years before the date of the application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made on the application in one the following activities:

• self-employment in cultural activities or athletics;
• participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; or
• farm management experience.

Please contact our office for further information regarding the procedures for applying for immigration to Canada under the Business Immigration Program.