The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract people with business experience who have the intention and ability to actively manage a Canadian business that will positively impact the Canadian economy and create employment opportunities for Canadian residents.
Entrepreneur program requirements
For an applicant to qualify for entrepreneur immigration in Canada, the applicant must have:
1- Certain amount of net worth based on the provinces requirements Canadian dollars (cash, properties of the applicant and/or the spouse)
2- Business Management experience for few years as owner manager or senior manager
3- Intention to start or buy a business in Canada.
Entrepreneur Program Process
As a qualified Entrepreneur, you and your spouse and children under the age of 22 can obtain Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visas under the Federal Program (applicants intending to reside anywhere in Canada, except Quebec). The Entrepreneur Program requires you to establish or acquire a percentage of equity in a qualifying Canadian business that you must actively manage. Your business must create at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Currently, entrepreneur programs are administered by individual provinces and follow a two-step process to permanent residence. The programs vary in the requirements in each province. Some of the programs require a good will deposit which is refundable once the business has been established. Under provincial nominee programs, applicants first apply to be nominated by a province, and after nomination they will receive work permit to enter Canada and start the business then after accomplishing the proposed business during certain amount of time(1-2 years) they can obtain permanent residence after Federal health and criminality checks.