The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants:

• Entrepreneurs
• Self-employed persons
• Investors

Each application can be made for only one class and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class.

Entrepreneurs:

The Entrepreneur Program is for experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. To be eligible under the Entrepreneur Program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least two years of business experience.
• Have a net worth of at least C$300,000 that was obtained legally.
• Meet the selection criteria for the Entrepreneur Program.
• Meet medical, security and other requirements.

Business experience:

You must have managed a qualifying business and have had control of a percentage of equity of the qualifying business for at least 2 years in the period that begins 5 years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Your business must not be operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income, such as interest, dividends or capital gains.

Net worth requirements:

You must be able to satisfy a visa officer that the fair market value of all your assets and the assets of your spouse or common-law partner were obtained legally. Your assets must exceed the fair market value of all your liabilities and the liabilities of your spouse or common-law partner by at least C$300,000.

You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to confirm both your income sources and your net worth.

Selection criteria:

You will be assessed based on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability.

Medical, security and other requirements: You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks.

Self-employed persons:

The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. To be eligible as a self-employed person, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have relevant experience
• Meet the selection criteria for self-employed persons and
• Meet medical, security and other requirements

Relevant experience:

Relevant experience is defined as:

• Participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics
• Farm management experience or
• Self-employment in cultural activities or athletics. Please consult the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for a list of activities that qualify. You will also find a link to definitions of terms that apply to self-employed persons.

Selection criteria:

You will be assessed on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability.

Medical, security and other requirements:

You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks. You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada.

You must also meet any other requirements of Canadian and provincial or territorial immigration regulations.

Investors:

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest in Canada’s economy.

NOTE: Citizenship and Immigration, Canada has temporarily stopped accepting applications for the federal immigrant investor program. Only applications postmarked or received before June 26, 2010, will be processed. This pause will continue until certain regulatory amendments come into force later this year.