Entrepreneur and Business Buyer Programs for Immigrants to Canada

Both the government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia offer well-developed programs for non-Canadians thinking of emigrating to Canada who have funds to purchase a business in Canada.

These programs speed up and facilitate the immigration process, leading to expedited approvals and earlier permanent residency status.

Sunbelt Business Brokers (Victoria) can help interested buyers be in touch with qualified consultants for consideration of their eligibility for the range of available programs.  Contact us today for a referral and assessment.

Eligibility for Entreprenuer and Business Investor Immigration Programs

For both Federal government and Provincial Government plans, the Entrepreneur or Investor applicant must be willing to become a Canadian permanent resident and qualify for permanent residence. A contract with the government concerned is also a requirement.

For the Federal government program:  The applicants must have had business experience and controlled  a business that earned more than $50,000 per share equivalent and had more than $500,000 per share gross revenue equivalent and more than two full time jobs per share equivalent (that is the applicant's equity share). This has to have taken up at least two years of the last five before applying.
The applicant must have a net worth of more than $300,000 and be purchasing more than 33.33 % of a business that will create more than one full time job for a Canadian resident, AND be actively involved in running /managing the business.
For the British Columbia Provincial government programs:   The province of British Columbia (BC) has two applicable programs - Business Skills and Regional Business. The main difference between the two programs is that under the Business Skills program the applicant must invest $400,000, provide three new jobs for Canadian residents, and can establish anywhere in BC; while for the Regional Business program the applicant must invest at least $200,000 and provide at least one new job for a Canadian resident, and cannot establish in the Abbotsford or Greater Vancouver area.   In the Business Skills program, the applicant must show a net worth of $800,000; while in the Regional Business program, applicants must show $400,000 net worth.
For any program, a viable business proposal has to be part of the application.  Experience has shown this to be a very important part of the process.  Sunbelt Victoria can assist in preparing business plans for applicants working with our office.

Is a Personal Visit to Canada Required?  Neither the Federal nor Provincial program requires a personal visit, but it is considered important in terms of getting approval, and some other  Canadian provinces with similar programs do require a visit.

 

10 reasons people emigrate to Canada

1. Canada has a strong migration history which can be seen today as much as ever before. Increased migration accounted for 1.2 million of the 1.6 million increase in Canada’s population between 2001 and 2006. On average, 200,000 people migrate to Canada every year. 2. Immigration has been a key factor in the growth of Canada’s economy over the last decade 3. Anyone who enjoys the wide open spaces will love Canada, with its population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre – the lowest in the world. 4. Canada is one of the world’s richest nations, boasting an impressively high income per capita of US$35,500. It is also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Group of Eight (G8). 5. The quality of life In Canada is absolutely first-rate, and Canada is constantly receiving awards and accolades to affirm this. In 2005, Vancouver won the global award for overall quality of life, with Canada as a whole being ranked 11th out of 114, and Calgary was awarded world’s most environmentally friendly and cleanest city. More recently, the Heritage Foundation in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal ranked Canada 10th out of 161 in the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom, and the Economist named Canada as the world’s 8th most peaceful country in 2007. 6. The opportunities for employment in Canada are plentiful, and potential migrants with a skilled trade behind them will find that their chances of successfully applying for migration to Canada are significantly increased. Opportunities are also rife for businessmen and investors whose work will help to increase Canada’s already flourishing economy. 7. The price of housing in Canada is significantly cheaper than other western countries such as the UK, and migrants are always pleasantly surprised to discover that for a fraction of the price they sold their house for in the UK, they were able to buy the house of their dreams. 8. Migration has been a key factor in the evolution of Canada’s culture, and as a result, multiculturalism is embraced throughout the country. People from various countries throughout the world are therefore welcome in Canada, and migrants can be sure that they will feel accepted whatever part of the country they chose to settle in. 9. Sports and outdoor life are very popular in Canada. The national winter sport of ice hockey is a national pastime and by far the country’s most popular spectator sport. Lacrosse, curling, Canadian football, golf, baseball, skiing, snowboarding, soccer, basketball and volleyball are also widely played and supported. 10. As a Country that boasts breathtaking scenery as well as first-rate urban life, Canada is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations. Owing to its size, many Canadians choose to holiday within the country.

 

Contact Sunbelt (Victoria) by e-mail or telephone today to ask how we can co-ordinate your research into these programs, and assist you in identifying eligible business investment opportunities.