BUSINESS CLASS IMMIGRATION

The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. Business immigrants are expected to make a C$800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada, and must meet certain experience and/or net worth criteria.

The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class. Each application can be made for only one class and the class cannot be changed once the application is submitted. The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class.

Investors

Canada is a safe growing country with many resources, making it one of the best places in the world for investment purposes. The economy is booming and all prospects for the future look very good. The Immigrant Investor Program seeks experienced business people to invest into Canada’s economy and become permanent residents. Investors must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$1,600,000 that was obtained legally and
• make a C$800,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.

CIC will return your C$800,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.

Entrepreneurs

If you own your own business and are interested in transferring these business skills to Canada and helping the Canadian economy to grow by providing employment for yourself and other Canadians , this is the program for you. The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs.

Note: CIC has temporarily stopped accepting applications for the federal entrepreneur program. Only applications received before July 1, 2011, will be processed. This suspension will continue until further notice.

Self-Employed

If you are an artist, an athlete or a farmer and can create your own business or make a cultural contribution to the Canadian Society, you might qualify as a Self-Employed Business Immigrant.The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada.

Self-employed persons are required to have either:

• relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
• experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.