Foreign Entrepreneurs, Investors and Senior Managers

Canada has always been a trading nation and commerce remains the engine of economic growth. As Canadians, we could not maintain our standard of living without engaging in trade with other nations. Today, it is one of the 10 largest economy in the world and poised to grow. IT, Healthcare, Energy, Agriculture, Air Transport, Automobile, Finance, Hospitality, Retail, Construction and Natural Resources are among the major industries to explore your fortune.

Canada offers various options to foreign:

• Entrepreneurs,
• Investors,
• Business Leaders,
• Senior Managers,
• self-employed (Athletes, Artists, Designers…), and
• Start-ups

to establish their business via Federal or Provincial programs.

Self-employed program

Federal Self-employed and Quebec Self-employed worker program are the 2 pathways for a foreign self-employed or a world class personality to explore their career and establish in Canada on Permanent basis.

Federal Self-employed Program

Immigrate permanently as a Self-Employed Persons if you have required experience, intention and ability to make a “significant contribution” to Canada’s cultural life or sports in Canada.

• Net Worth: Not Required
• Experience: Minimum of 2 one year within last 5 years (as self-employed and/or world class event participation)
• Selection Grid: 35 points out of 100

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

Self-employed foreign nationals interested in coming to Quebec to work as an independent tradesperson or professional must not have paid help. The Eligibility includes:

• Start-up deposit: C$25,000 (C$50,000 within Montreal Metropolitan Community-MMC)
• Net Worth: C$100,000
• Experience: Minimum 2 years
• Democratic Quebec Values: Attestation (including Spouse above 16 years and dependent child above 18 years)

Start-up Immigration Programs

Canada offers 2 immigration programs to the aspiring foreign nations with an entrepreneurship qualities and fresh business idea:

1. Start-up Visa Program – Federal Program
2. Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream (FGSVS) – Alberta Provincial Nominee Program

Start-up Visa Program

Immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:

• is innovative
• creates jobs for Canadians
• has potential to compete on a global scale

Do you have an innovative business idea? Apply for Start-up Visa Program which can even provide you funding and Institutional Investments. The eligibilities are:

• Letter of Support: From 1 or more of the Designated organization (Venture Capital Funds: C$200,000+, Angle Investors:CS75,000+, Business Incubators:NA)
• Qualifying Business: Minimum 10% Voting Rights by each primary applicant, Minimum 50% Voting Rights by Primary Applicants and Designated Organization together, Incorporated in Canada, Major Operations in Canada and ongoing management within Canada.
• Language: Minimum CLB-5 in English or French
• Finance: Depends on Family size (generally C$12,960 + C$4,000 per additional family member)

Peer processing by industry and professional experts is a part of the process. One has to be ready for an audited due diligence of application.

Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream (FGSVS)

Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP) provides a unique immigration opportunity to Foreign Graduates with a start-up in the area of:

• Technology
• Aerospace
• Financial Services
• Energy
• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Life Sciences
• Pharmaceuticals

Eligibility requirements for FGSVS program are:

• Letter of Recommendation: from an AINP approved designated agency i.e. empoweredstartups.com or platformcalgary.com
• Language: Minimum CLB-7 in English or French
• Settlement Fund: C$ 8,922 onward, depending on the applicant’s family size and the population of the community you are establishing the business
• Experience: Minimum 6 months of business ownership or management experience
• Education: Post-Secondary degree within last 2 years with an ECA
• Ownership: 34% in Calgary or Edmonton or 51% for other parts of Alberta
• Investment: C$ 100,000 in Calgary or Edmonton or C$ 50,000 in other parts of Alberta. Can be owner’s equity or raised from a Canadian Financial Institution, Venture Capital, or Angle Investors

Entrepreneur and Investor Programs

Business friendly economy has made Canada a big attraction for foreign entrepreneurs explore their fortune. The government of Canada, present some enticing options in various provinces. Programs require relevant Experience of 3+ years, Secondary High School education, an Interview and Exploratory Visit/s is a part of the process. They are ideal for the entrepreneurs between the age group of 25 – 49 years and should create jobs for non-relative Canadians.

Province / Program	Requirement
Alberta Self-employed Farmer Stream	Net Worth: C$500,000 minimum Investment: C$500,000 in farming business Other: Canadian Financial institution must finance
Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration	Net Worth: N/A Investment: N/A Mandatory: CLB 7 (French/English), 2 years post-secondary from Alberta’s approved institutions, PGWP minimum 2 years, 6 months business/management experience, 34% ownership in eligible businesses. Other: Points grid – Maximum 125 points.
British Colombia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category	Net Worth: C$600,000 Investment: C$200,000 (C$400,000 with key staff) Other: CLB 4 (French/English), Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
British Colombia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot Program	Net Worth: C$300,000 Investment: C$100,000 Other:Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Entrepreneur Pathway	Net Worth: C$500,000 Investment: C$150,000 (C$250,000 in Capital region) Other:CLB 5 (French/English), Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Manitoba Business Investor Stream – Farmer Investor Pathway	Net Worth: C$500,000 Investment: C$300,000 assets Other:CLB 5 (French/English), Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
New Brunswick NBPNP — Entrepreneurial Stream	Net Worth: C$600,000 Investment: C$250,000 Other:CLB 5 (French/English), Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
New Brunswick NBPNP — Post Graduate (PG) Entrepreneurial Stream	Net Worth: N/A Investment: N/A Other:CLB 7 (French/English), PG from NB, 100% ownership and 1 year business experience in NB, and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream	Net Worth: C$600,000 Investment: C$150,000 Other:CLB 5 (French/English), and Expression of Interest (EOI).
Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream	Net Worth: N/A Investment: N/A Other:CLB 7 (French/English), PG from NB, min. 33.33% ownership and 1 year business experience in NB, and create at least 1 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Ontario OINP-Entrepreneur Stream	Net Worth: C$800,000 (C$400,000 outside GTA and/or in ICT Sector) Investment: C$600,000 (C$200,000 outside GTA and/or in ICT Sector) Other:CLB 4 (French/English), Expression of Interest (EOI) and create at least 1-2 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Prince Edward Island Entrepreneur – Work Permit Stream	Net Worth: C$600,000 Investment: C$150,000 Other:CLB 4 (French/English) and Business Plan for New Business.
Quebec Investor and Entrepreneur programs	Suspended for now !
Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator (Regular)	Net Worth: C$500,000 Investment: N/A (C$75,000 refundable deposit)
Saskatchewan Farm Owner and Operator (Young Farmer)	Net Worth: C$300,000 Investment: N/A (C$75,000 refundable deposit) Other: Under 40 years of age and minimum 3 years of experience
Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream	Net Worth: C$500,000 Investment: C$300,000 (C$200,000 outside Regina/Saskatoon) Other: 33.33% minimum ownership or C$1,000,000 investment and create at least 2 full-time permanent job for Canadian Citizen or PR.
Yukon Business Applicant	Net Worth: C$500,000 (C$300,000 liquid asset) Investment: C$300,000 Other: 65+ points in assessment grid.