Business and Investors Class

Participants in this program will be able to keep their Canadian permanent residence even if their business fails.

The Entrepreneur Start-Up Visa Program is a new Canadian immigration pilot project and is the first of its kind in the world. The Start-Up Visa Program links successful applicants with private sector organizations in Canada who are able to provide funding as well as guidance and their expertise on establishing and operating a business in Canada. Successful applicants under this new Canadian immigration program will be granted their Canadian permanent residency.

This program is not available for those who are interested in establishing a business in Quebec. Please visit our Quebec Immigration page to find out what your options are in Quebec. Participants in this program will be able to keep their Canadian permanent residence even if their business fails. The Start-Up Visa program is a pilot project and is set to remain open for 5 years but may be extended or become permanent if it proves to be a successful Canadian immigration program. The Canadian government will only accept up to 2750 applications per year for this Canadian immigration program.

Eligibility Requirements:

Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate
Investment Requirement
Language Requirement
Education Requirement
Sufficient Settlement Funds
Security and Medical Clearances

Federal Self-Employed

The Self-Employed Persons Program is open only to individuals with relevant self employed experience as writers, farmers, athletes (at an international level), or artisans.

To qualify for business immigration to Canada under the Self-Employed Persons Program, an applicant must have relevant experience and an intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep him or her employed and make a “significant” contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada.

Relevant experience means a minimum of two years of experience as a self-employed or participation at a world class level cultural activities or athletics, over the course of five years prior to the submission of the candidate’s application.

Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed business will generate sufficient revenues to support the applicant and his or her dependents. Farmers, writers, artisans, sports personalities, coaches, actors, artists, etc. are examples of applicants who may qualify.

Assessment in the Self-Employed Persons Program is based upon:

Education
Business ability and experience (when applying under the economic contribution component of the Self-Employed description)
Artistic qualifications (when applying under the artistic/cultural component of the Self-Employed description)
Age
Language Abilities ( English and/or French)
Adaptability