Business/Investor Immigration

The Business Immigration Program aims to encourage and assist the admission of individuals with business expertise. The federal and provincial/territorial governments extend a warm welcome to business immigrants and provide services to help them start their own business and settle in Canada. Your experience and expertise in business can be highly beneficial assets that will enable you to invest in your future in Canada’s rapidly expanding and diverse economy.

These are the main type of business immigration streams to come to Canada in 2023:

01. Start-up Visa Program (SUV)

Canada’s start-up visa program allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada in order to establish a new business. Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is original, will create new jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.

This program attracts foreign innovative entrepreneurs willing to establish new, high-growth businesses in Canada and support innovation and job creation. Canada is open for business to the world’s start-up entrepreneurs.

To secure permanent residence through the Startup Visa Program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a qualifying business, with each applicant holding at least 10% of the voting rights in the company and applicants and the designated entity jointly holding more than 50% of the total voting rights.
  • Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization, which includes venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in English or French, with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5.
  • Show proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents upon arrival in Canada.

Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence and can travel to Canada to start your entrepreneurial journey.

02. Quebec Entrepreneur Program

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is an immigration program in Canada that aims to assist foreign business owners in launching entrepreneurial ventures in the province of Quebec. This program offers a unique opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs who possess the required financial resources and business ownership experience to initiate a new business project in Quebec. If the application is successful, the candidate becomes a permanent resident of Canada.

03. Provincial Self-Employed Persons Program

If you are a professional athlete, farmer, or artisan who is interested in moving to Canada, you can apply for a business immigrant visa through the Self-Employed Programs. This option is ideal for individuals who want to do business in Canada but do not want to make a financial investment to establish themselves in the country. With this visa, you can bring your family members along with you to Canada.

  • Federal Self Employed Program
  • Quebec Self Employed Program
  • Provincial Nominee Programs