The Business Immigration Program (Investors, Entrepreneurs or Self-Employed) is a program offered by the Canadian and Quebec governments to encourage the immigration of experienced business people. Business immigrants are initially granted permanent resident status that can lead to Canadian citizenship. This legal status (permanent resident) gives them the right to live, work and conduct business anywhere in Canada as a Canadian citizen. Without forgetting that business people wishing to immigrate to Canada or Quebec can benefit from a tax exemption of at least five (5) years.
With regard to this category of immigration, it is important to note that there are dual selection regulations: business people intending to settle in the province of Quebec are selected according to criteria that differ from those who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada. Our experienced team will conduct a double evaluation of your profile in order to determine your province of destination and thus maximize your chances of success.
On the other hand, regardless of whether the province of your destination is Quebec or elsewhere in Canada, the following criteria will determine whether a foreign national (candidate) is eligible for permanent resident status as a business person:
Investor Program for Quebec:
In order to qualify under the Québec investor program, potential applicants must
- Have net assets of at least $2,000,000 CAD (Two Million Canadian Dollars) that have been acquired through lawful economic activities, excluding donations received in the last 6 months;
- Sign an investment agreement for CAD $1,200,000 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand Canadian Dollars) with a licensed financial intermediary;
- Have a minimum of 2 years of management experience (within the last 5 years) in a profitable and lawful business, or in a lawful professional business, where the investor has employed the equivalent of 2 full-time employees, or in an international or governmental organization;
- Intending to settle in Quebec.
Under the Québec investor program, net assets may be the sum of the assets of the principal applicant and his or her spouse or common-law partner. This is not the case for the federal investor program.
Investor Program for Canada (federal):
In order to qualify under the federal investor program, potential applicants must demonstrate:
- A minimum of 2 years of experience (within the last 5 years) in the management of a company or in a management position where you have successfully managed at least 5 full-time employees (or a combination of both);
- Have net assets of at least $1,600,000 CDN legally obtained;
- Sign an investment agreement for CAN $800,000 with a licensed financial intermediary;
Important note:
All business immigration applicants (investors) will have to pass a medical examination and security and criminality checks before being granted permanent resident status.
The Business Immigration (Entrepreneur) Program is a program offered by the Canadian and Quebec governments to encourage the immigration of experienced business people. Business immigrants are initially granted permanent resident status, which can lead to Canadian citizenship. This legal status (permanent resident) gives them the right to live, work and do business anywhere in Canada as a Canadian citizen. In particular, business people wishing to immigrate to Canada or Quebec can benefit from a tax exemption for at least five (5) years.
With regard to this category of immigration, it is important to note that there are dual selection regulations: business people intending to settle in the province of Quebec are selected according to criteria that differ from those who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada. Our experienced team will conduct a double evaluation of your profile in order to determine your province of destination and thus maximize your chances of success.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program:
In order to qualify under the entrepreneur program in Quebec, potential applicants must
- Have net assets of at least $300,000 CAD that have been legally obtained (and if applicable, may have been obtained with your spouse or common-law partner provided he or she accompanies you);
- Have at least 2 years of full-time experience in managing a business (within the last 5 years). The business may have been managed alone or with your spouse or common-law partner. You (and if applicable, your spouse), must control at least 25% of the equity;
The application must be submitted according to one of the following two options:
- Create a business (agricultural, industrial or commercial) in Quebec that you manage yourself or that you will have a role in managing it on a daily basis. You must control (alone or with your spouse or de facto spouse) at least 25% of the equity, with a value of at least $100,000 CAD.
- Acquire in Quebec (alone or with your spouse or de facto spouse), at least 25% of the equity of a business (agricultural, industrial or commercial) with a value of at least $ 100,000 CAD. You must also manage the business yourself or have a role in the day to day management of the business.
- meet the following conditions for at least 1 year within 3 years of the date the applicant becomes a permanent resident:
- Create or acquire (in whole or in part) an eligible business (agricultural, commercial or industrial) in Quebec;
- Must hold at least 25% of the equity, with a value of at least $100,000 CAD
- Participate in the management and daily operations of the company
- Must employ, on a permanent basis and for a minimum of 30 hours per week, a Québec resident (other than yourself or a member of your family) in the eligible business.
Entrepreneur Program for Canada:
In order to qualify under the Contractor in Canada Program, potential applicants must:
- Have a minimum of 2 years of management experience
- Have net assets of at least $300,000 CAD that have been legally obtained
- Fulfill the following 3 conditions for at least 1 year within 3 years of the date the applicant becomes a permanent resident:
- Make a commitment to control (at least 33- 1 3%) an eligible Canadian business;
- Provide active and ongoing management of the eligible Canadian business;
- Must create at least the equivalent of 1 full-time job in the qualifying Canadian business for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (a person other than the entrepreneur or a family member).
Important note:
All business immigration applicants (entrepreneurs) will have to pass a medical examination and security and criminality checks before obtaining permanent resident status.
Autonomous Worker Program (Quebec)
Self-employed category for Quebec:
To qualify in this category, an immigration candidate must:
- Come to Quebec to create your own job through self-employment in a profession or trade
- Have a minimum net worth of $100,000 CDN, legally obtained with, if applicable, your spouse or common-law partner, provided that he or she accompanies you
- Have acquired at least two years of self-employment experience in the profession or trade you intend to practice in Québec.
The evaluation of your application will also take into account other factors, such as:
- Your age and that of your spouse, if applicable
- The nature and duration of your respective professional training courses
- Your language skills
- Your personal qualities and your knowledge of Quebec.
Self-Employed Program (Canada)
Self-Employed Class for Canada:
To qualify in this category, an immigration candidate must:
- Within the last 5 years, have at least 2 years of relevant experience in one of the following categories:
- Self-employment in cultural or sports activities
- Participation at a world-class level in cultural or sports activities
- Experience in farm management
- The intention and ability to create their own employment, which would contribute to Canada's cultural and sporting life
- The intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada
- Net assets of at least $100,000 CAD
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