Canada is a country located on the northern side of North America. It is the second largest country with respect to total land area and has the tenth largest economy in the world. It is one of the top-rated destinations to have a balanced lifestyle, high living and educational standards and economic freedom.

The service industry is the largest sector in the economy, employing three-fourths of the country’s workforce. However, primary industries such as petroleum and forestry play a vital role in the economy. It is also one of the few developed countries that are net exporters of energy since Canada has the third-largest share of world oil reserves, while Atlantic Canada also has enormous deposits of natural gas offshore.

Canada Business/Entrepreneur Immigration Programs

Canada created its residency by investment program to attract wealthy individuals to Canada. The program was started for the development of the Canadian economy. The individuals who qualify for the Canada residency get a permanent residence permit in Canada. Also, the Canada residency program grants residency to the investor’s family.

Owner-Operator LMIA Federal Visa

This specific category has been created for foreign businessmen who wish to either establish or purchase a business in Canada and manage it from Canada. The role of the simplified procedure is to attract business people to the country and make the transition process smooth, easy, and quick.

If you are a business person who runs a business or wants to purchase a business in Canada, look into the below criteria to see if you qualify.

An applicant:

• Be a sole or majority shareholder, i.e. demonstrate that you have controlling interest in the business.
• Verifiable, transferable management experience.
• Sufficient assets to purchase the targeted business in Canada.
• Sufficient language abilities in either English or French to actively work as a manager in the business.
• Controlling interest in the business: own more than 50% of the shares and cannot be dismissed
• Demonstrate that your entry into Canada will result in the creation or retention of jobs for Canadian permanent residents / citizens.
• Be independent from any senior management. You must occupy the highest position of power in the company and not be answerable to any superiors.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration

This is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province. Individuals must have business ownership and management experience.

An applicant:

• The potential applicant must have a minimum net worth of $300,000 – $600,000 CAD, the net worth must be legally obtained and verifiable.
• The applicant must have a minimum more than three years of experience as an active business owner-manager, or more than four years of experience as a senior manager.
• The applicant will make an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 CAD in the proposed business.

New Brunswick-PNP Investor Program

This is for qualified foreign entrepreneurs who are interested in owning and actively managing a business that will contribute to New Brunswick’s economy.

An applicant:

• Applicant must be between 22 and 55 years of age.
• Applicant must have a minimum of a two-year post-secondary education after high school.
• Have a personal net worth of at least $600,000 CAD of which $300,000must be a liquid asset.
• Have at least three out of five years of experience in managing and owning a business or have five years out of five of experience in a senior business management role or more.
• Want to live permanently in New Brunswick, while owning and managing a local business. In addition, an investment of a minimum of $250,000 CAD.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Immigration

This category is for individuals who want to immigrate to Saskatchewan to establish, acquire or partner in a business/farm and be actively involved in its management.

Entrepreneurs:

• A minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD that can be verified.
• Accumulation of net worth through legal means, which can be verified.
• Minimum three years of entrepreneurial or relevant business management experience.
• Invest a minimum of $300,000 CAD in Regina and Saskatchewan or $200,000 CAD in other Saskatchewan communities
• Own at least one third (33%,1/3) of the equity business in Saskatchewan unless the total investment is $1 million CAD or more
• If you are establishing a business in Regina or Saskatoon, create at least two employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent resident of Saskatchewan (non-relative workers)

Farm Owners/Operators:

• Have a net worth of $300,000 CAD which is verifiable to 80% certainty
• Are under the age of 40
• Have at least three years of experience in farm operations or management
• Must make a minimum equity investment of $150,000 CAD in a new or existing farming operation in Saskatchewan
• Demonstrate that they are knowledgeable farm operators
• Mandatory visit to Saskatchewan for a minimum of 5 working days and a meeting with an SINP representative

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Stream is designed to attract & support entrepreneurs, and high net worth individuals to establish a new business in Canada and/or buy an existing business in the province of Ontario. Successful Entrepreneurs land Ontario with a status of work permit initially. The program leads towards PR and then Citizenship as well.

An applicant:

• The applicant must have a minimum net worth of $400,000 – $800,000 for businesses outside and within Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
• Applicant must be able to make a minimum investment of $200,000- $600,000 for businesses outside and within Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
• Have at least 24 months of full-time business experience as a business owner or senior manager along with a language score of CLB 5.
• Have minimum equity ownership of 33.3 percent (one-third).
• Applicants must commit to creating at least two permanent, full-time jobs for Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents.
• Make at least one business-related visit to Ontario in the 12 months prior to submitting the Expression of Interest.
• Be actively involved on an ongoing basis in the management of the proposed business.

• One of the highest standards of living in the world
• Affordable, high quality education
• Multicultural, tolerant, and vibrant cities
• Excellent place to do business, with access to the entire North American market
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship following three years of the five-year residence period