Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must:- show that they have business experience
- have a minimum net worth of C$300,000 that was obtained legally and
- respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada.
Entrepreneurs: Who can apply
To be eligible under the Entrepreneur Program, you must meet the following requirements:- Have at least two years of business experience.
- Have a net worth of at least C$300,000 that was obtained legally.
- Meet the selection criteria for the Entrepreneur Program.
- Meet medical, security and other requirements.
Business experience
You must have managed a qualifying business and have had control of a percentage of equity of the qualifying business for at least two years in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.Your business must not be operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income, such as interest, dividends or capital gains.
To find a definition of a “qualifying business” and other terms that apply to the Entrepreneur Program,
Net worth requirements
You must be able to satisfy a visa officer that the fair market value of all your assets and the assets of your spouse or common-law partner were obtained legally. Your assets must exceed the fair market value of all your liabilities and the liabilities of your spouse or common-law partner by at least C$300,000.You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to confirm both your income sources and your net worth.
Selection criteria
You will be assessed based on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability. Find out more about the selection criteria.Medical, security and other requirements
You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks.Quebec
Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec operates its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration.Entrepreneurs: How to apply
There are two application processes for entrepreneurs who want to apply to become permanent residents:- the simplified application process and
- the regular application process.
- you have been selected by Quebec or
- you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
- you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.
Choose the application process that applies to you:
- Simplified application process
- Regular application process
Entrepreneurs: How to apply—
Simplified application process
Most entrepreneurs can apply to immigrate to Canada using the simplified application process. Under this process, you submit only a basic application form and the fees.There is a waiting list to come to Canada as a business immigrant. This means it may be several years before your application is processed. The simplified application process guarantees your place in the lineup. Your application will be processed based on the regulations in effect on the date you submit your application, even if they change after you apply.
When the visa office is ready to assess your application, you will be asked to send the required supporting documentation. The visa office will send you information about the medical examination and the criminal and security checks that you and your dependants have to undergo. You must also include valid language test results if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.
You cannot use the simplified application if:
- you have been selected by Quebec and intend to settle there or
- you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
- you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.
Quebec has its own business immigration program. For information on immigrating to Quebec, check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
There are seven steps in applying to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur.
- Obtain and print the application kit.
- Complete your application.
- Determine where you must submit your application.
- Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you will submit your application.
- Calculate your fees.
- Check your application.
- Submit your application.
1. Obtain and print the application kit.
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.2. Complete your application.
- Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
- If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
- Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
- You must complete all of the forms:
- Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (Form IMM 4000ESAP)
- Use of a Representative (Form IMM 5476). You must complete this form if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice.
3. Determine where you must submit your application.
You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been legally admitted for at least one year.You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application.
You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.
4. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.
You can find the visa office instructions you need under the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Print the instructions required for the visa office where you submit your application.5. Calculate your fees.
You will have to pay the following fees:- The processing fee for you and your dependants who will accompany you to Canada. This fee must be submitted when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.
- Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved or if you do not use your visa.
- your medical examination
- a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check, and
- language testing, as required.
More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
6. Check your application.
Make sure your application is completed correctly. The visa office cannot process forms that are not completed correctly. Sending incomplete forms will delay your application.7. Submit your application.
Mail your application and your fees to the appropriate Canadian visa office.Since you are using the simplified application process, you do not have to include any supporting documents when you submit your application
Entrepreneurs: How to apply—
Regular application process
Most entrepreneurs can apply to immigrate to Canada using the simplified application process. However, some entrepreneurs must use the regular application process.You must use the regular application process if:
- you have been selected by Quebec and/or intend to settle there or
- you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and your application for permanent residence will be submitted to the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
- you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application to the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.
Quebec has its own business immigration program. For information on immigrating to Quebec, check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
There are six steps in applying to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur.
- Obtain and print the application kit.
- Complete your application.
- Determine where you must submit your application.
- Calculate your fees.
- Check your application.
- Submit your application.
1. Obtain and print the application kit.
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.2. Complete your application.
- Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
- If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
- Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
- You must complete all the forms:
- Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (Form IMM 0008 Generic)
- Schedule 1: Background/Declaration (Form IMM 0008 Schedule 1)
- Schedule 6: Business Immigrants Investors and Entrepreneurs(IMM 0008- Schedule 6)
- Schedule 6A: Business Immigrants-Self-Employed Persons (IMM 0008-Schedule6A)
- Additional Family Information (Form IMM 5406)
- Use of a Representative (Form IMM 5476). You must complete this form only if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. .
- Language test results that are valid at the time of application.
3. Determine where you must submit your application.
You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been lawfully admitted for at least one year.You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application. You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.
4. Calculate your fees.
You will have to pay the following fees:- The processing fee for you and your dependants. This fee must be paid when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.
- Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved or if you do not use your visa.
- your medical examination
- a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check and
- language testing.
More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
5. Check your application.
Make sure your application is completed correctly, and that you include all the necessary supporting documentation. Use the checklist included in the Guide (Appendix A) to make sure you have not forgotten anything.The visa office cannot process your application if supporting documentation or processing fees are missing, or if your forms are not completed and signed. This will delay your application.
No comments:
Post a Comment