Canada is believed to be one of the top 10 easiest countries to set up and start a business in. The country being extremely rich in natural resources, availability of skilled labour and a stable and smooth governance all provide a major thrust in starting a business in Canada. Interested in doing business in Canada? People with business/administrative experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for a Canadian permanent residence under the Investor/Entrepreneur Visa program. If you are successful with your business immigration application, you and your family can move to Canada together. 

The Investor/Entrepreneur Visa Program is a common Business Immigration or "Investor" Visa option that enables you to immigrate to Canada by starting a business anywhere in the country. You and your business will have to meet a set of requirements in order to be successful with your application. In general, your business must be innovative, create jobs for Canadians, and be able to compete internationally. While you wait for your application’s approval, you can also apply for a temporary work permit to keep you busy in Canada. 

Criteria

Business requirements

Once a designated organization commits to your business:

• all applicants (up to 5 people can apply as owners) must each hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business; and

• together with the designated organization, they must hold more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business.

Once you receive permanent residence, you must make sure that:

• you play an active role in the ongoing management of your business while living in Canada;

• the essential operations of the business must partly take place in Canada; and

• your business is incorporated in Canada.

Letter of support

You must get a letter of support from a designated organization that proves they are willing to invest in and support your start-up. These organizations include:

• Venture Capital Firms ($200,000 investment);

• Angel Investor Groups ($75,000 investment); and

• Business Incubators

Language requirements

You must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in either English or French.

Settlement money

No financial support is provided by the Canadian Government to this investor visa, so you will have to be able to prove that you have enough funds to settle and support yourself and your family in Canada.