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Canada Visa for High Net Worth Individuals: Investor Visa Programs

Introduction to Investor Visa Programs

Investor visa programs are designed to attract high net worth individuals who are willing to invest in a country’s economy. These programs offer a pathway to permanent residency, allowing individuals to live and work in the country while visa casinos canada contributing to its economic growth. In this article, we will explore the various investor visa programs available in Canada, focusing on the requirements, benefits, and application processes.

Overview of Canadian Investor Visa Programs

Canada offers several investor visa programs, each with its own set of requirements and benefits. The primary programs include the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base Stream, the EI Regional Stream, and the Startup Visa Program. Each program is tailored to attract different types of investors and entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base Stream

The EI Base Stream is a temporary to permanent immigration pathway for entrepreneurs who wish to establish or purchase a business in British Columbia (BC)[1].

Eligibility Requirements

  • Personal Requirements:

    • Net Worth: A personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000.
    • Business Experience: Business and/or management experience; if no business experience, must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma.
    • Language Skills: Basic English or French language skills equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
    • Legal Status: Have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live and have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.

  • Business, Job, and Investment Requirements:

    • Business Establishment: Establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business.
    • Investment: Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business.
    • Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Fees

  • Registration Fee: CAD$300
  • Application Fee: CAD$3,500

Steps to Apply

  1. Exploratory Visit: Make an exploratory visit to BC to explore opportunities and learn about the local business environment.
  2. Registration: Register expressing interest to apply, providing company details, proposed investment in BC, and proposed key staff qualifications.
  3. Invitation to Apply: If eligible, receive an invitation to apply within 90 days.
  4. Application Submission: Submit a full application package including key staff forms and supporting documentation. The application processing fee is CAD$3,500 for the company and an additional CAD$1,000 for each key staff proposed.

Benefits

  • Permanent Residency: The opportunity to gain permanent residency in Canada.
  • Economic Contribution: Contribute to the economic growth of BC by establishing or purchasing a business.
  • Job Creation: Create jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Stream

The EI Regional Stream is designed for foreign entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business in smaller communities in BC[1].

Eligibility Requirements

  • Personal Requirements:

    • Net Worth: A personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000.
    • Business Experience: Show business and/or management experience.
    • Language Skills: Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
    • Legal Status: Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada and have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live.

  • Business, Job, and Investment Requirements:

    • Business Establishment: Establish an eligible new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community.
    • Investment: Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business.
    • Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Participating Communities

The EI Regional Stream is available in various communities across BC, including:

  • CaribooMackenzie: Quesnel
  • KootenayCastlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J): Columbia Valley & East Kootenay, Kimberley, Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F), Rossland, Trail
  • Bulkley-Nechako: Nechako
  • NortheastFort St. John
  • Thompson-Okanagan: Penticton, Salmon Arm, Vernon
  • Vancouver Island/Coast: Campbell River, Comox, Mount Waddington

Steps to Apply

  1. Eligibility Check: Review the program criteria and check your eligibility.
  2. Community Contact: Connect directly with the designated community contact identified in the community’s profile page to learn more.
  3. Application Submission: Submit all required forms as a single complete application package including key staff forms and other supporting documentation.

Benefits

  • Community Alignment: Align your business with the priorities of the referring community.
  • Economic Contribution: Contribute to the economic growth of smaller communities in BC.
  • Job Creation: Create jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Startup Visa Program

The Startup Visa Program is designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start a new business in Canada[2].

Eligibility Requirements

  • Qualifying Business:

    • Each applicant must hold at least 10% of the corporation’s shares (voting rights).
    • The startup or business can have up to five owners.
    • Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold over 50% of the total shares of the corporation.
    • At the time you receive your permanent residence, your business must be incorporated in Canada and you must actively manage your business from within Canada.

  • Letter of Support:

    • Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization, which can be:
    • A designated venture capital fund (at least $200,000)
    • A designated angel investor group (at least $75,000)
    • A designated business incubator (accepted into a Canadian business incubator program)

  • Language Test:

    • Pass a language test in English or French to meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5.

  • Financial Resources:

    • Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support your and your dependents’ stay in Canada.

Steps to Apply

  1. Business Plan: Present a detailed business plan demonstrating your organization’s growth potential and how it will boost Canada’s economy.
  2. Letter of Support: Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization.
  3. Application Submission: Include the letter of support in your visa application.

Benefits

  • Innovative Businesses: Attract innovative businesses that can contribute to Canada’s economy.
  • Job Creation: Create jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Economic Growth: Contribute to the economic growth of Canada.

Nova Scotia Investment Visa Program

Nova Scotia also offers an investment visa program for high net worth individuals who wish to start a business in the province[5].

Eligibility Criteria

  • Age: Must be 21+ years old.
  • Residency: Must be willing to live permanently in the province.
  • Net Worth: Must have a minimum net worth of CAD$600,000.
  • Investment: Must give a minimum investment of CAD$150,000.
  • Experience: Must have a minimum experience of 3+ years of managing a business or 5+ years of experience in senior management.
  • Language Skills: Must score at least point 5 in all four sections (writing, reading, listening, and speaking) of the English eligibility test.

Steps to Apply

  1. Application Submission: Submit all required forms as a single complete application package including key staff forms and other supporting documentation.
  2. Interview: May be invited to attend an in-person interview at the Nova Scotia immigration office.

Benefits

  • Permanent Residency: The opportunity to gain permanent residency in Nova Scotia.
  • Economic Contribution: Contribute to the economic growth of Nova Scotia by starting or purchasing a business.
  • Job Creation: Create jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Comparison of Investor Visa Programs

Program Net Worth Requirement Investment Requirement Business Experience Language Skills
EI Base Stream (BC) CAD$600,000 CAD$200,000 2-year diploma or business experience CLB 4
EI Regional Stream (BC) CAD$300,000 CAD$100,000 Business experience CLB 4
Startup Visa Program (Canada) N/A N/A N/A CLB 5
Nova Scotia Investment Visa Program CAD$600,000 CAD$150,000 3+ years of business management or 5+ years of senior management CLB 5

Conclusion

Canada offers a variety of investor visa programs designed to attract high net worth individuals who are willing to invest in the country’s economy. Each program has its unique set of requirements and benefits, catering to different types of entrepreneurs and investors. Whether it is the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream, the EI Regional Stream, the Startup Visa Program, or the Nova Scotia Investment Visa Program, each pathway provides an opportunity for individuals to contribute to Canada’s economic growth while gaining permanent residency.

By understanding the eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefits of each program, high net worth individuals can make informed decisions about which program best suits their needs and goals. Investing in Canada not only offers a chance to build a successful business but also provides a pathway to a new life in a vibrant and diverse country.