CdnWork specializes in helping business people work or immigrate to Canada under the umbrella of several specific government sponsored programs designed for Self Employed people, Foreign Investors and Entrepreneurs, all are described in detail below.
The self-employed immigration category is designed for people who are currently earning a living and are able to support themselves in the fields of arts and culture, athletics or agriculture. The arts and culture component includes 
artists, writers, musicians, professional performing artists, choreographers and music teachers. The athletics component includes both athletes and coaches. Agriculture includes farmers and farm managers.
All self-employed immigrants are awarded points for relevant experience within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application.
*Relevant experience, in respect to a self-employed person means that for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application an applicant must be self-employed in artistic or cultural activities, or for athletics, participation at the world-class level, or for agriculure applicants must have farm or farm management experience.
No immigration conditions are imposed on this class.
Self-employed immigrants must have the experience,intention and ability to establish a business that will at a minimum, create an employment opportunity for themselves and that will make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics in Canada; or agricultural applicants must purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
Each of the individual Provinces and the Federal Government of Canada have seperate special programs for foreign nationals who wish to purchase or invest in existing Canadian businesses or create a new one.
Each Province or Territory has different requirements for programs that they offer and, you MUST comply with the requirements of the Province which you select. Not all Provinces offer all programs. CdnWork has compiled a list of requirements below for each province that has a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Please note
that British Columbia has a special category named the Regional Business Category which has requirements that vary by region.
If you are looking for a place to invest your money, or to immigrate, Canada is an excellent choice. The programs allow foreign business people to paricipate provided they can demonstrate the ability to meet the programs' criteria. These programs offer tremendous opportunities for people from outside the country to become involved in Canadian businesses.
All immigrants including business category applicants have o meet basic sandards set by the Government of
Canada. Business immigrants applicants must have at leasst 35 points assessed on the basis of business experience, age, education, language ability in the two official languages, and adaptability. The standards are listed at : Investors and Entrepreneurs Points Qualification Rating System.Investors and Entrepreneurs Points Qualification Rating System.
Each Province has different requirements and, you MUST comply with the requirements of the Province you select. CdnWork has compiled a list of requirements for each province that has a PNP (Provincial Nominee Program). Please note that British Columbia has requirements that vary by region.
Province and
Category
|
Minimum Requirements
|
Official Information Link
|
Alberta Investor
Category |
- demonstrate business experience
- have successfully operated, controlled or directed a business
- have a minimum net worth of CDN $800,000, and,
- make a minimum investment or CDN $400,000.
|
Alberta Provincial Nominee Program
4th Floor, Commerce Place
10155-102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L6
Alberta
PNP for Investors
|
Alberta Entrepreneur
Category |
- have business experience (managed and controlled a percent of equity of a qualifying business and,
- have legally obtained a net worth of at least CDN $300,000.
|
Alberta Provincial Nominee Program
4th Floor, Commerce Place
10155-102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L6
Alberta
PNP for Entrepreneurs
|
British
Columbia Business Skills Category |
- This category is intended to attract prospective applicants who have extensive resources and
business experience, and who want to be actively involved in implementing a B.C. business undertaking that will make a significant contribution to the economy of the province. You must have:
- successful business experience
- minimum net worth CDN $2,000,000.
- minimum investment CDN $1,000,000.
- applicant to have a minimum 1/3 equity
- business plan
- business must create a minimum of 5 new jobs
- applicant to have an active role in management
|
BC Provincial Nominee Program
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development,
Suite 730 - 999 Canada Place
Vancouver BC
V6C 3E1
B.C.
Provincial Nominee Program
|
British Columbia Regional Business Category |
- This category is intended to assist people from outside Canada, with proven skills and
financial resources, to rapidly implement plans for business establishment
or expansion contributing to the regional development of British Columbia.
- project must be located outside the Greater Vancouver Area (see below for definition)
- minimum net worth CDN $600,000.
- minimum investment CDN $300,000. excluding real estate component
- applicant must have a minimum 50% equity
- business must create a minimum of 2 new jobs
- applicant to have an active management role
- The Greater Vancouver Area includes Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley City, Langley District Municipality, Maple Ridge, New Westminister, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver and White Rock.
|
BC Provincial Nominee Program
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development,
Suite 730 - 999 Canada Place
Vancouver BC
V6C 3E1
B.C.
Provincial Nominee Program
|
|
- A business nominee will be an individual who identifies a business opportunity in the
Province's key sectors or industries that will enhance the production of goods, the provision of services, exports, technology, or research in Saskatchewan.
- have proven experience in managing a business
- have significant funds for establishing a new business, or partnership in an existing
Saskatchewan business in which the applicant will have an ongoing management role
- complete a business plan (see below)
- undertake at least one fact-finding trip to Saskatchewan to meet with industry associations,
regional economic development authorities, businesses, and other associations,
institutions, individuals or government agencies as deemed appropriate
- provide a full disclosure of business assets and debts including national and international
business activities. A letter of recommendation from the applicant's banking institution will assist in the review of the business proposal
|
Saskatchewan
Provincial Nominee Program
Dept. of Government Relations and Immigration
Immigration Branch
2nd Floor, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3V7
Saskatchewan
PNP Program
|
Manitoba |
- minimum personal net worth of CDN $250,000.
- minimum amount of equity investment in Manitoba of CDN $150,000.
- demonstrated business experience or extensive experience in senior management of a successful company
- conducted a visit or planning a visit to Manitoba within a few months of applying to
explore business opportunities and Manitoba's quality of life
- supply a Cash Deposit to the Government of Manitoba in the amount of CDN $75,000 guaranteeing the establishment or purchase of a business in Manitoba. In most cases, the Cash Deposit will be released when the investment is made and the intended business is undertaken as outlined in your application
|
Manitoba Provincial
Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Program
Immigration Promotion & Recruitment Branch
Labour and Immigration Manitoba
9th Floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1N3
Manitoba PNP Program
|
New
Brunswick |
- New Brunswick welcomes business immigrants under all categories of Canada's Business Immigration Program who will establish, purchase, expand or maintain a business or commercial venture of economic benefit to the Province.. Entrepreneurs must have a management role in their business; investors will invest through an approved fund, and others such as farmers will be self employed.
- Applicants to New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program who apply based on their business
experience and entrepreneurial skills MUST meet with a representative from the Department of Business New Brunswick regarding their business plan.
|
New Brunswick Nominee Program
Training and Employment Development
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1
New
Brunswick PNP Program
|
Newfoundland &
Labrador |
|
Newfoundland
& Labrador
Provincial Nominee Program
Industry, Trade and Technology
Confederation Building
West Block, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 4J6
Newfoundland & Labrador
PNP Program
|
Nova
Scotia Investor
Category |
- The Immigrant Investor
Program seeks to attract experienced persons and capital to Canada.
Investors must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth
of CDN $800,000. and make an investment of CDN $400,000.
|
Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program
The Office of Economic Development
World Trade and Convention Centre
1800 Argyle Street
P.O. Box 519
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2R7
Nova Scotia PNP Investor
Program
|
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur
Category |
- The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced persons that will own and actively
manage businesses in Canada that will contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $300,000. and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.
|
Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program
The Office of Economic Development
World Trade and Convention Centre
1800 Argyle Street
P.O. Box 519
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2R7
Nova Scotia PNP Entrepreneur
Program
|
Prince
Edward Island Immigrant
Entrepreneur
Category
|
- minimum net worth of $750,000. including minimum liquid assets of $350,000. Liquid assets
includes for example, cash, demand deposits with a financial institution, term deposits, tax shelters convertible to cash, and readily marketable investments including publicly traded stocks or bonds
- Immigrant
Entrepreneur Investment in a New Business Start:(special
category: not an existing business): Immigrant entrepreneurs must
be prepared to make a minimum business investment of $200,000. to
establish a new enterprise and to place $25,000. in escrow with the
Government of PEI as a good faith deposit.
|
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program
Immigration and Investment Division
94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 7M8
Prince Edward Island PNP
Program
|
Québec Self
Employed
Category |
- you must come to Québec to create your own job by practicing an occupation in
your own account
- possess a lawfully acquired minimum net worth of CDN $100,000. along with your accompanying
married or common-law spouse, where applicable
- have at least two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the occupation you
plan to pursue in Québec
- *Note: Assessment of your application will take into account several other factors
|
Quebec Self Employed Category Information
|
Québec Entrepreneur
Category |
- you must have, along with your accompanying married or common-law spouse, where applicable,
lawfully acquired net assets of at least CDN $300,000.
- have at least three years of management experience (planning, supervision and control of
human, physical and financial resources) acquired in a lawful and profitable
business (agricultural, industrial or commercial)
- submit a business
plan to establish or acquire a business in Québec that you will
manage yourself or as a partner in management and day-to-day operations,
and that will employ at least three Québec residents other than
yourself and members of your immediate family
- satisfy the following conditions for at least one year in the three years after you become
a permanent resident: You must manage the corporation actively and continuously; you must create the equivalent of at least one full-time equivalent job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents other than yourself and members of you family
|
Quebec Self Employed Category Information
|
Québec Investor
Category |
- you must have a minimum net worth of CDN $800,000. acquired through lawful economic
activities
- have at least three years of management experience (planning, supervision and control of
human, material and financial resources) in a profitable and lawful
business (agricultural, industrial or commercial), in government or,
with an international agency
- undertake to invest a minimum of CDN $400,000. for five years, by signing an agreement
with a financial intermediary: a stock broker recognized by the Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec or a trust company. This amount will be invested with Investissement Québec or one of its subsidiaries to fund a program to assist small and medium-sized businesses in Québec
|
Quebec
Self Employed Category Information
|
Yukon |
- The Yukon is seeking people with a business background and experience
that would enhance the production and marketing of goods, services, exports,
technology or research in the priority sectors.
- sufficient proven experience in operating a business to implement the proposed business
plan
- a minimum net worth of $250,000. CDN
- visited the & Yukon
at least once within the last three years
- reasonable communication skills in one of Canada's official languages
- Priority Investment Sectors are: information technology; manufacturing; value added processing; forestry; tourism products, attraction, services and facilities; energy; mining / mineral development; agriculture; cultural industries including film and video production
|
Yukon Provincial Nominee Program
Business Immigration, Industry Development
Business, Tourism and Culture
P.O. Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2C6
Investing
in the Yukon
|
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