Entrepreneur Visa Program

This program has been terminated by the government of Canada and may not begin again. It was started by the government of Canada to allow immigrant entrepreneurs who satisfy certain qualifying criteria a chance to become permanent residents of Canada and Canadian citizens. 

Do you wish for permanent residence status in a province of Canada? Do you wish to for immigration and citizenship of Canada? Are you an entrepreneur? Do you wish to move to Canada, live in Canada and then work there? Then the Entrepreneur Visa Program is for you. 

Entrepreneur visa Eligibility criteria

If you wish to gain lawful permanent resident status in Canada through this program, you must satisfy the following eligibility criteria.

• A minimum experience of two years in running a business you acquired is a must-have. This experience needs to be within the span of five years before submitting your application. 
• The experience gained must be in a business that is lawful, legal, and profitable. You should have managed the business alone or with a spouse or common-law partner who owned 25% control in the equity of the firm.
• You must have worked full-time in the job, fulfilled all your duties and responsibilities. You must have been involved in planning, managing and controlling either materials or human resources or financials. 
• You must also own 25% of the capital equity of the corporation. 
• Your personal net worth should be around $300,000.
• You must have a desire to be living in Canada while working in Canada. You can also invest in or acquire a business established in Canada. 
• The business you establish after you enter Canada must create employment for Canadian citizens. It must also employ the citizens of Canada. 
• You establish a quality business or own 33.33% in an existing Canadian business. Your corporation or business must generate employment, i.e. at least one job for a permanent resident personnel of Canada or a citizen of Canada. 

This program applies to you if you wish to stay in any province of Canada except Quebec. The province of Quebec has its own Entrepreneur Visa Program, discussed below in detail. 

The Quebec Entrepreneur Program 

This program was started by the federal government to help immigrant entrepreneurs looking to become permanent residents in Quebec. If you wish to settle in Canada in the province of Quebec, this program is for you.

Although the Entrepreneur Visa Program was terminated, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program is still accepting applications and granting eligible candidates permanent residence. 

Eligibility criteria of Quebec Entrepreneur Program

• You must have at least two years of experience in running a business you acquired. This experience must have been gained in the five years before submitting your application in a business involving industrial, agricultural or commercial activities.  
• The experience gained must be in a business that is lawful, legal, and profitable. You should have managed the business alone or with a spouse or common-law partner who owned 25% control in the equity of the firm.
• You must have worked full-time in the job, fulfilled all your duties and responsibilities. You must have been involved in planning, managing and controlling either materials or human resources or financials. Apprenticeship is not included as experience
• You must also own 25% of the capital equity of the corporation. 
• Your personal net worth including your legally obtained assets must be around $300,000. These can include assets owned by your spouse or common-law partner who is applying with you through this program. 
• You must have a desire to be living in Canada while working in Quebec. 
• The business you establish after you enter Canada must create employment for Canadian citizens. It must also employ the citizens of Canada. 

Starting vs Acquiring a business in Quebec

You can either choose to start a business of your own in Quebec or acquire a business already established in this province. 

If you wish to start your own business in Quebec, you must manage the business either alone or with your spouse or common-law partner who immigrated to Canada with you. 

If you wish to acquire an existing legal profitable business in Quebec, you must either manage the business alone or as a managing partner. You must look over the regular business operations. 

Regardless of whether you establish your own business or acquire an established business, you must own 25% of the capital equity of the corporation. 

Additional Factors to be mindful of

The authorities of the Quebec Entrepreneur Program also consider several other factors while selecting an applicant to gain Canadian permanent residency through this program. 

• The age of your spouse as well as your own age are considered. 
• The duration of your training in the required field and the nature of your training matters.
• You must have good language skills or language proficiency in the Canadian languages of French or English.
• To increase your chances, you must indicate the steps you have taken to either establish or acquire a business in Quebec.
• Your ability to carry out your proposed business plan is taken into consideration.

Once you enter Canada and arrive in Quebec, you will have to fulfill the following conditions within three years of being given Canadian permanent residence. 

• You must either have established or taken ownership of a business in Canada or be in the process of doing the same. 
• You must have at least 25% ownership in the capital equity of the corporation.
• The business you own must create a job for and employ at least one Quebec resident who is not your family member. They must work full-time in your business. 
• If you are an entrepreneur in the field of agriculture, you are exempt from the rule to create a job for a Quebec citizen. 
• You must be in charge of the daily management and look over the operations of the business.

The Federal Government of Canada has also introduced other programs such as the Express Entry Program and the Provincial Nominee Programs to help those immigrating to Canada gain permanent residency in Canada, permanent resident status and become a Canadian citizen.  Special programs are also available for Canadian immigrants who are international students, foreign workers, temporary residents, and skilled workers under the Provincial Nominee Program. 

So what are you waiting for? Find out if you are eligible for the Entrepreneur Visa Program according to the Canadian Immigration Law, and grab the chance to become a Permanent Resident of Canada and a Canadian citizenship today!!