Is There a ‘Gold Card’?: Exploring Canada Investor Visa Options

Donald Trump, the President of the United States announced the five million USD “Gold Card Visa”. This makes the Canadian aspirants question if there are any investor options available in Canada. Though a Canada Permanent Residency Visa is for skilled workers, there are entrepreneurial options available.

Here is a look at some of the best entrepreneurial pathways for Canada:

Canada Start-up Visa Program

Canada offers a federal Start-Up Visa program that grants permanent residency to immigrants seeking to establish a business in the country (excluding Quebec). This program allows applicants, along with their spouses and dependent children, to gain permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria for their business:

• Hold at least 10% of the total voting rights
• The business must be incorporated in Canada
• The business must be managed from within Canada
• A significant portion of the business operations must take place in Canada

These organizations such as venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators have been approved to support start-ups.

• Support of Designated Business Organization: To fulfill this requirement, applicants must be accepted into a Canadian business incubator program, secure at least $75,000 from an angel investor group, and secure at least $200,000 from a designated Canadian venture capital fund.

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking (English or French).

• Settlement Funds: Applicants must show they can support themselves and their family, with the required amount dependent on family size.

Once the application is approved, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue a PR visa, which includes a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and an entry visa.

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program offers an immigration pathway to immigrate to Quebec. This is the only passive investor immigration program in Canada, meaning applicants do not need to demonstrate an active managerial role in the company.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria for their business:

• A net worth of at least $2 million and two years of management experience.
• The equivalent of a secondary school diploma in Quebec.
• French language skills at least at level 7,
• Intermediaries must make a five-year term investment of CAD 1,000,000 and contribute CAD 200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs Inc.
• Applicants must complete at least 12 months of residence in Quebec, with at least 6 months spent by the applicant and the remaining 6 months by their spouse.

The immigration process in Quebec differs from other provinces. If accepted, applicants will receive a notice of intention to be selected by Quebec and can then apply for a work permit and, later, permanent residency.

Calculate Your CRS Points

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Many Canadian provinces offer their immigration streams for those wishing to start a business and settle within the province. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) often require applicants to submit a business plan as part of the application process.

Alberta PNP

Rural Entrepreneur Stream: Applicants must have at least 3 years of business ownership or 4 years of senior management experience in the past 10 years, a minimum net worth of $300,000, and must invest at least $100,000 in the business.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Must have completed a two-year program from an Alberta Advanced Education institution, hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and invest at least $100,000 in the business.

Foreign Graduate Stream: Applicants must have at least 6 months of business management experience, a minimum CLB 5, and must invest $100,000 in an urban area or $50,000 in a regional area.

Farm Stream: Applicants of Alberta PNP must invest at least $500,000 in a primary production farming business and have a net worth of $500,000.

British Columbia PNP

Base Stream: Applicants need a minimum net worth of $600,000, experience in business or management, and an investment of at least $200,000 in a business.

Regional Stream: Those wishing to open a business in smaller communities, with a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 and an investment of $100,000 in the business.

Nova Scotia PNP

Entrepreneur Stream: Applicants must have a net worth of at least $600,000 (or $400,000 outside Halifax), invest at least $150,000 in the business, and have at least 3 years of business ownership or 5 years of senior management experience.

International Graduate Entrepreneur: Graduates from Nova Scotia PNP institutions who have managed a business in the province.

Manitoba PNP

Entrepreneur Pathway: Applicants must have 3 years of full-time business experience, a net worth of at least $500,000, and must invest $250,000 in Winnipeg or $150,000 outside the city.

Farm Investor Pathway: Requires 3 years of farm ownership and operation experience, a minimum net worth of $500,000, and an investment of at least $300,000 in a rural Manitoba farm.

Saskatchewan PNP

Entrepreneur Category: Applicants must have a net worth of at least $500,000, three years of business management experience, and plan to invest $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon.

New Brunswick PNP

Business Immigration Stream: Applicants must be between 19 and 59 years old, have a minimum net worth of $500,000, and invest at least $150,000 in the business, with the creation of one full-time job.

Processing Times

The processing times can vary. For the Start-Up Visa Program, it takes approximately 40 months for federal processing. The process can take 1-2 years to obtain a CSQ, with federal processing taking an additional 71 months for Quebec immigration.

Processing times for provincial nominations vary, but it can take anywhere from several months to 2 years. Once nominated, the IRCC’s processing time is around 11 months for PR applications. Applicants should be aware of the specific requirements and timelines for each program.

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