Invest in Canada

Start-up Visa Program – Canada

• is general business immigration allowing a foreigner to immigrate to Canada by starting a business anywhere in Canada. Generally, the business must be innovative, create Canadians jobs, and be able to compete internationally.  

1. Eligibility – Who can apply?
   1. YOU have a qualifying business
   2. YOU get a letter of support from a designated organization
   3. YOU meet the language requirements
   4. YOU bring enough money to settle

Program Requirements:

1. Business Requirements:
   • Once a designated organization commits to your business:all applicants (up to 5 people can apply as owners) must each hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business; andtogether with the designated organization, they must hold more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the business.Once you receive permanent residence, you must make sure that:you play an active role in the ongoing management of your business while living in Canada;the essential operations of the business must partly take place in Canada; andyour business is incorporated in Canada.
2. Letter of Support:
   • must obtain a letter of support from a designated organization proving they are willing to invest in and support this start-up, which organizations may include:
     • Venture Capital Firms ($200,000 investment);
     • Angel Investor Groups ($75,000 investment); and
     • Business Incubators.
3. Language:
   • must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in either English or French.
4. Settement Monies:
   • Must prove (provide evidence) that you have enough money to settle you and your family in Canada, as the Canadian government will not provide financial support in this “Investor” visa class.

Through PNPs (Provincial Nomination Plans), most provinces have individualized this investor visa category. For example – ONTARIO

Ontario has two streams of investment:

1. Corporate Stream
2. Entrepreneur Stream

ONTARIO CORPORATE STREAM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Business Applicant:
   • Applicant business must:have been established at minimum of three years before the application is submitted;
   • be of a qualifying structure (public corporation, sole proprietorship or partnership); and
   • invest at least $5 million CAD in expanding into Ontario or buy a business that already exists in the province.
2. Job Creation:
   • The business must create 5 full-time positions for permanent residents or citizens of Canada per key staff position.
   • positions must:be permanent, full-time positions; and
   • be paid above or at the average wage level for the type of work
3. Business:
   • New business must:be clearly linked to the parent company as a subsidiary, branch or affiliate;be a for-profit business through the sale of goods and services;have a primary income source from active, earned income;meet the legal standards and regulations of the area; andbe considered as a permanent business in the province.
4. Key Staff:
   • business may request a maximum of five key staff members to start the business and these staff members may be considered for Canadian permanent residence if they meet the requirements.
   • The key staff must:
     1. play an essential role in starting the business;all be in a senior, executive, management or specialized knowledge position in your company;
     2. have a minimum of three years of experience in the intended occupation in your company within the last five years;
     3. have been working in that position continuously for a year immediately before you submitted your application;
     4. not have a family connection with anyone who has more than 10% equity in the company;
     5. not hold any equity in your company unless it is less than 10% and part of the remuneration package of their employment contract;
     6. and have full-time, permanent jobs that follow the wage standard of Ontario.