Whether you want to visit, seek employment, or start a business in Canada, the country offers several options for economic immigrants. This includes the following options:
- Canadian Business Visitor Visa
- Canada Startup Visa
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Business Immigration Programs
We will explain these visas in more detail and describe the requirements and opportunities associated with each.
Canadian Business Visitor Visa
The Canadian Business Visitor Visa is designed for people who plan to engage in short-term business activities in Canada without joining the local workforce. These can include business meetings, contract signings, trade shows, and conferences, as long as the business visitors do not engage in employment in the country. Business visitors can stay up to six months, and their main place of business must be outside Canada.
The basic requirements for a business visitor visa include the following:
- A valid passport
- Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
- A letter of invitation or document issued by a Canadian business contact supporting the purpose of the visit
- Proof of strong ties to the home country (such as employment, family, or property ownership)
Business visitors must prove they plan to return to their home country after their stay.
Canadian Business Immigration Program
There are several options to immigrate to Canada through business. These options are a part of the Canadian Business Immigration Program and aim to improve the country’s labor market. Unlike visas designed for business visitors, these visas are created for people who want to become permanent residents.
They typically require language proficiency, sufficient funds, expertise, and medical exams that prove you won’t place excessive demand on public health and social services. Here are three popular programs, their requirements, and application processes.
Canada Startup Visa
A Canadian Startup Visa lets eligible applicants immigrate and reach permanent residency. This visa is created for people with an existing business or a business proposal that would create jobs for Canadian citizens.
While you wait, you can receive a temporary work permit.
Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements are the following:
- Having a qualifying business – Have sufficient voting rights in your business (10% for each applicant and more than 50% total together with the designated organization).
- Having a letter of support from a designated organization – Your business must be approved by a business incubator with committed capital, an angel investment group (at least CAD75,000), a venture capital fund (CAD200,000), or an organization in Canada’s Tech Network.
- Language requirements – Take language tests from approved organizations and achieve Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking (English or French).
- Financial requirements – Bring enough money to settle. You’ll need $14,690 in 2024 for yourself and an additional CAD4,000 for each family member you plan to bring.
Application Process
As of recently, you must complete an online application unless you need some type of accommodation. Start by creating an account on the Permanent Residence Portal and follow the official instructions for filling out forms and providing documents.
If you hire a paid representative to fill out your form, they must complete it from your account. You must complete a Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] form that they must sign, too.
Along with filling out the forms, you will need to provide your personal details, travel documents, national ID documents, and language skills test results.
You may also need to provide biometrics and attend an interview with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents may include:
- Proof of ownership of the company
- Proof of education
- Proof of experience
- Business plan
- Marriage certificates
- Financial documents
- Birth certificates
- A letter of support from a designated organization
- Application fee receipts
- Photographs
- Language test results
To receive a letter of support, you must contact one of the approved Canadian organizations, go to its website, and pitch your business idea to its representatives.
Costs and Processing Times
The current processing time for new applications is around 40 months, and the fees start at CAD2,385. The waiting time depends on background checks and verifying information, the completeness of the application, demand, and how quickly venture capital funds or investors approve your submission.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) exists to bring in workers, students, or business people who can benefit the economy of a specific province or territory with their expertise and skills. Some regions and professions require only the right education, such as a bachelor’s degree, while others require more experience in the field.
The program has an Express Entry and a Non-Express Entry immigration stream.
Eligibility Requirements
Each region has its own needs for workers, students, and business people, so the requirements vary by province. However, if you want to immigrate to Nunavut and Quebec, you must find other options, as these regions do not have PNPs.
Application Process
For the Express Entry stream, you must qualify for at least one of the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – The FSWP is created to bring skilled workers to Canada. It assesses workers based on factors such as age, work experience, education, and French and English language abilities.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – The FSTP is made for skilled workers with qualifications in a trade, such as electricians, plumbers, or construction workers.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – The CEC targets people who have gained skilled work experience in Canada and wish to apply for permanent residency, such as those who have had a study permit or a work permit.
The Express Entry stream lets you either contact the province for a nomination or create a dedicated Express Entry profile and wait for them to contact you. The stream has a well-known score based on education, age, skilled work experience, whether you have a valid job offer, language ability, and adaptability.
For the Non-Express Entry, you must contact the province or territory with your application and wait for them to nominate you. After they accept you, you can apply to become a permanent resident, which allows you to become a Canadian citizen after several years.
For both programs, you can fill out the application form online.
Supporting Documents
The documents required include:
- Your passport
- National ID documents
- A copy of the nomination certificate
- Proof of education
- Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a competent Canadian authority
- Proof of experience
- Photos
- Completed forms
- Language certificates
If you receive an invitation to become a permanent Canadian resident, you may also need:
- Police certificates
- Medical documents
- Additional documents for any dependent children or family members
- Marriage, common law, birth, name change, adoption, divorce, or death certificates
- Proof of funds
Costs and Processing Times
Processing in the Express-Entry stream typically takes around six months. The Non-Express Entry stream typically takes twelve. Furthermore, each province has its own processing system, which can lead to different wait times depending on their workload.
Also, after receiving a provincial nomination, the federal government processes the permanent residence application, which takes additional time.
Fees start from CAD1,525 for both, including a right to permanent residence fee (CAD575).
Quebec Business Immigration Programs
If you want to obtain a business visa to immigrate to Quebec as a permanent resident, you can look into the Selected Business Class Applicants: Investors or Entrepreneurs program. You can apply as one of the two classes: a Quebec investor or a Quebec entrepreneur.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply as an investor, you must plan to live in Quebec and the province must select you. Also, you must have a net worth of CDN $1,600,000 and plan to invest at least CDN $800,000.
To apply as an entrepreneur, you must have a net worth of $300,000 and plan to reside in the province.
Application Process
You can complete the application online once you’re certain that you have all the necessary information and certified copies of documents. Follow the next steps:
- Gather documents
- Complete the application
- Pay the fees
- Submit the application
You will also need to undergo a medical examination, provide a background check, and certified translations of all documents that aren’t in English or French.
Supporting Documents
The documents include the following:
- Generic application form
- Declaration of intent to reside in Quebec
- Identity and civil status documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, information about the conjugal partner, or proof of relationship for a common law partner
- Family information
- Information about dependants
- Certificate of Selection by Quebec
- Police certificates and clearances
- Forms about the use of a representative
- Business immigrants form
- Supplementary information about your travels
- Financial documents (proof of net worth, bank records, property valuations)
As an investor, you should also try to get proof of investment, such as receipts and bank transfers.
Costs and Processing Times
The typical processing time for the Quebce Business Class visa is 47 months, while the cost is about $2,385 per person. You may also need to pay biometric fees.
The processing times depend on application completeness (as with other visa programs), biometrics and medical exam timelines, immigration office workload, and how long it takes to receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
Tips for a Successful Application
Applying for a visa is a complex process, and each error could cost you time and money. To increase their chances of success, business visitors and immigrants can ensure their application is complete, accurate, and truthful. Here are some tips for a successful application:
- Write a compelling business plan – Write a detailed plan with clear objectives and milestones and support it with research. Include market reports, financial projections, and market demand numbers.
- Demonstrate the economic benefit of the business to Canada – Highlight how your business will provide new jobs for Canadian workers and local suppliers and how it will help the business ecosystem in general. Focus on sustainability, innovation, and filling market gaps with helpful solutions.
Avoid common mistakes that can lead to application rejection – These common mistakes include incomplete applications, insufficient financial proof, poor language skills, vague business plans, and ignoring feedback from designated organizations. Polish your application and skills well before you choose to apply.