May 15, 2008

Business Immigration

Permanent Residence in Canada

This objective of the Business Immigration Program is to encourage investment and employment in Canada though the migration of people who have the ability to successfully establish or invest in a business in Canada.

There are three Business Immigration Categories:

1. Investors
2. Entrepreneurs
3. Self Employed

Business immigrants must apply at one of nine Business Immigration Centre -- Beijing, Bonn, Buffalo, Damascus, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Seoul and Singapore.

Business Immigration Program - Investor

To qualify as an Investor, an applicant destined for any province in Canada you must:

. have successfully operated, controlled or directed a business;

. have accumulated through his or her own endeavors a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 (approximately US$565,000); and

. invest CAD$400,000 (approximately US$265,000) for five years with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada which acts as agent on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds.

An applicant destined for the Province of Quebec must:

. have at least three years of managerial experience in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business or, alternatively, at least three years of managerial experience in a government, governmental organization, or international organization;

. have accumulated a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 through legitimate economic activities; and

. Invest CAD$400,000 for five years in a Quebec-approved investment fund.

Business Immigration Program - Entrepreneur

To qualify as an Investor, an applicant destined for any province in Canada you must:

The Entrepreneur must also meet certain conditions in connection with his or her business in Canada. The Entrepreneur must:

. establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada within 2 years of landing in Canada which will result in a significant contribution to the economy

. engage in active and ongoing participation in the management of the business

. Employ at least one Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident other than the Entrepreneur and his dependents.
To ensure that these conditions are met, Entrepreneurs are required their progress to report to immigration officials on a regular basis within this two year period.

Business Immigration Program - Self-Employed

To qualify under the Self-Employed category, an applicant must demonstrate an intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep him or her employed and make a "significant" contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada. Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed business will generate sufficient revenues to support the applicant and his or her dependents. Farmers, artisans, sports personalities, actors, consultants, and operators of small business outlets that may be in demand are examples of applicants who may qualify.

Assessment in this category is based upon:

. business ability and experience (when applying under the economic contribution component of the Self-Employed description);

. artistic qualifications (when applying under the artistic/cultural component of the Self-Employed description); and

. net worth (sufficient to establish/purchase the proposed business).

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Immigration Law in Toronto, Ontario Canada	Copyright© 2008 Niren & Associates Ltd. \| All Rights Reserved

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