The Canadian Business Class is a category of Canadian Immigration under which individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa. There are three sub-categories within the Business Class: Immigrant Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Persons.

In addition to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) application forms, education-related and status documents (passports, birth/marriage certificates, etc.), you must submit documents proving your business and/or managerial experience, as well as documents evidencing your net worth.

After becoming a Canadian permanent resident, you may live, work, and engage in business activities in any Canadian province or territory, regardless of where you initially indicated you intended to reside on your application form. However, entrepreneurs intending to reside in the province of Quebec will be required to manage a commercial enterprise, which you must establish or acquire a portion of, in that province.

NOTE: The Federal Investor Program was terminated on June 19, 2014. Under the Federal Investor Program, you must have: a net worth of at least CAD$1.6 million, lawfully obtained; the funds to invest CAD$800,000 (financing available) for five years with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which acts as an agent on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds; and managed and owned an equity interest in a qualifying business, as defined under IRCC Regulations; or, managed/supervised at least five employees for a period of two years within the last five years. As an Immigrant Investor planning to reside in the Province of Quebec, you…

You must demonstrate the origin and accumulation of your wealth through reliable, third-party documentary evidence: tax returns, pay stubs, deeds of purchase/sale, statements from stockbrokers, business/real estate valuations, etc. You must be able to demonstrate that your assets were gained through means, which are considered legal, including gifts or inheritances.

While you are entitled to engage in work and business activities upon arrival in Canada, there is absolutely no obligation to do so.

NOTE: The Federal Immigrant Investor Program was terminated on June 19, 2014. Under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program, the investment is only made once a candidate's application is approved. Information about the management of the fund, terms, and conditions, will be provided to immigrant investors in the agreement to be entered into with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC). This agreement will have to be signed before applicants make their CAD $2 million at-risk (non-guaranteed) investment. For individuals pursuing immigration through the Quebec Investor Program, you must commit your CAD $800,000 investment amount before final approval by Quebec…

That depends on the particular program. Under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program, applicants are only required to make an investment if their application is approved. Applicants who are approved under this program are required to make an investment in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Fund in the amount of CAD $2 million. The investment will be committed for approximately 15 years. This is an at-risk investment, therefore, it is a possibility that applicants will lose some or all of their investment. As with any venture capital investment, however, applicants also have the potential to receive proceeds, either over time…

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program takes into consideration managerial experience in a government, governmental organization or international organization and therefore may appeal to individuals with a broader spectrum of backgrounds. In addition, the net worth and investment requirements are more onerous for the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program.

NOTE: The Federal Entrepreneur Program is on hold until further notice. As an Entrepreneur application planning to reside anywhere in Canada, other than in the Province of Quebec, you must: have a net worth of at least CAD$300,000, lawfully obtained; have managerial and ownership experience in a qualifying business, as defined under the Regulations; establish or acquire a qualifying Canadian business that you will actively manage and own at least 33.33 percent of equity; and create a minimum of one new job for a Canadian or permanent resident in the business. As an Entrepreneur applicant planning to reside in the Province of Quebec, you must: have a…

Yes, the Entrepreneur must, within three years of arriving in Canada: control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or greater than one-third; be active in the management of the qualifying Canadian business, and establish at least one full time job for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident other than the Entrepreneur and family members. If the Entrepreneur does not fulfil these conditions, there is a possibility of losing Canadian Permanent Resident status.

As an Entrepreneur applicant, you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

A detailed business plan is not required, except if you are planning to establish or acquire a business in the province of Quebec.

To qualify as a Self-Employed person, you must be able to demonstrate experience, intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep you employed and make a significant contribution to cultural activities, athletics or farming in Canada. Your intended business must generate sufficient revenues to support you and your dependents. If your destination is in the Province of Quebec, you must have: a net worth of at least CAD$100,000, lawfully obtained; and at least two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the occupation you plan to pursue in the Province of Quebec. Under the Quebec Selection Criteria,…

As a Self-Employed person you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business/cultural/artistic environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

The net worth requirement for Self-Employed persons varies depending on the nature and location of the proposed venture. Self-Employed persons destined to the Province of Quebec must have a net worth of at least CAD$100,000, lawfully obtained.