Canada’s stable business environment, highly skilled workforce, excellent R&D infrastructure, low taxes and operating costs, and thriving economy offer an ideal environment for businesses to not only sustain, but actually thrive. Foreign entrepreneurs and investors who are interested in expanding their enterprise overseas, setting up a new business abroad, or purchasing an existing business, can explore various options for business immigration to Canada.

Start-up Visa Program

Foreign entrepreneurs who have the skills and ability to build an innovative business that can generate employment in Canada and compete globally, can become permanent residents by obtaining the Start-up Visa. This Canada immigration pathway connects immigrant entrepreneurs to private sector organizations that are experienced in working with start-ups.

Self-employed Persons Program

This Canada Business Visa allows people with relevant skills and experience to make a significant contribution to Canada’s cultural or athletic landscape, by permanently immigrating to the country as self-employed persons.business immigration to Canada

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

11 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories run dedicated PNPs, which nominate suitable candidates for permanent residence. Most PNPs have sub-categories or ‘streams’ targeted towards entrepreneurs and investors who can start or purchase local businesses and generate employment in the province or territory. Each PNP has distinct eligibility requirements.

Obtaining a provincial nomination allows candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR) to the federal authority – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – either through a paper-based process or online through the Express Entry System.

Quebec Business Immigration Programs

The province of Quebec has its own immigration programs, with entirely different requirements. Business immigrants can choose any of the following routes, subject to eligibility:

• Quebec Investor Program – for people who can make a significant investment to participate in the province’s economic development.
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program – for those who wish to establish a new business or acquire an existing business sin Quebec.
• Self-employed Workers Program – for professionals and trades persons who wish to create a job for themselves in Quebec.

After receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate, the candidate must apply for the Canada PR Visa to IRCC, in order to live and work in Canada as a permanent resident.

An unparalleled advantage of business immigration to Canada is that the entrepreneur or investor instantly attains the coveted permanent resident status, which allows them and their families to access a plethora of social security benefits, and enjoy a highly aspirational quality of life in one of the most immigrant-friendly countries of the world.