Business Immigration Program

Business immigrants are people who can invest in, or start businesses in Canada and are expected to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. The Business Immigration Program of Citizenship and Immigration Canada seeks to attract people experienced in business to Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

Business immigrants are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. Details of each program (investors, entrepreneurs, and self employed persons) are provided on the Business Immigration Program Web site.

Note: The province of Quebec has it's own Immigrant Investor Program. Learn about investing and living in Quebec from the Quebec Immigration Office or by visiting the page "Doing Business in Québec" on the Government of Quebec Web site.

Summary

There are three classes of business immigrants:

• Investors - the Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business persons and their capital to Canada. Applicants must demonstrate business experience and a legally obtained minimum net worth of Can$800 000 and must make an investment of Can$400 000.
• Entrepreneurs - applicants must be experienced persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate business experience, a minimum legally obtained net worth of Can$300 000 and they are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.
• Self-employed persons - applicants must have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either (a) relevant experience that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or (b) experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

The application forms and guide can be downloaded from the CIC Web site.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Investment and Immigration
Business New Brunswick
Centennial Building
670 King Street
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-453-3981
Fax: 506-444-4277
E-mail: immigration@gnb.ca
Web site: http://www.gnb.ca/0356/english/immigrate/nb-e.htm

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National Contact(s):
CIC Call Centre
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Toll-free (information): 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada only)
Web site: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp