Canadian Immigration -

Business Class Immigration

The Investor Program

The Canadian Business Immigration program is designed to encourage and facilitate the admission of business people in search of new opportunities for growth. A new Federal Immigrant Investor Program has been in effect since 2002. This program has been simplified and fully guaranteed by the government of Canada. Changes have been introduced to improve the Business Immigration Program and to enhance the potential economic contribution of business immigrants to Canada. Improved selection criteria place greater emphasis on Entrepreneurs and Investors with a strong business background and the capacity to integrate into the Canadian business community.

Who is an Investor Immigrant?

In order to qualify for the federal Immigrant Investor Program, applicants must:

• have successfully operated, controlled, or directed a business;
• have accumulated through their own efforts a net worth of at least $800,000 Canadian dollars;
• have made an investment of $400,000 Canadian dollars, paid to the Receiver General for Canada for five years and two month.

Selection

In addition, applicants are assessed on a point system. Unlike, the Independent Class applicants, Investor applicants are only required to achieve a total of 35 points in order to qualify. Applicants are accessed on the following factors:

• Education;
• Business Experience;
• Age;
• Knowledge of English and French;
• Adaptability

The investment of $400,000.00 is interest free, and is non-transferable, however, fully guaranteed by the participating provinces. Repayment (without interest) is made five years and two months after the date in which payment is received by Ottawa. This investment is fully guaranteed by the participating/recipient provinces, thereby ensuring repayment in 5 years. Applicants can make their $400,000 CDN investment anytime after an application has been submitted, however payment will not be required until immediately prior to a visa being issued. Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Ottawa will advise the visa office whether or not payment was received. In the event an investor has made an investment and a visa is refused, applicants will be advised and will be refunded their investment of $400,000.00 CDN within 90 days of a request for refund.

Features of the Investor Program

• investors are not required to start a business in Canada;
• investments are fully guaranteed by provinces and territories that participate in the program;
• the provinces and territories control the investment during the five-year lock-in period;
• no immigration "terms and conditions" are imposed upon admission.

Complete our Free Online Assessment to see whether you qualify ufor the Investor Program.