For global business leaders and affluent individuals in India, Canada presents an exceptional opportunity to raise a family in a safe environment with access to world-class education and a stable economy. Many families choose to invest in Canada for permanent resident status as a strategic way to secure their future and gain the right to live in the country indefinitely. Unlike standard ‘Golden Visa’ programs that are often purely transactional, Canada’s investment immigration pathways focus on a meaningful economic partnership between the applicant and the Canadian government, ensuring a successful transition to life in Canada.
Canada is also actively seeking entrepreneurs and investors who would like to obtain their PR through investment in Canada by starting new business ventures and/or through making significant financial investments in established businesses. This comprehensive guide outlines the specific investment opportunities and the financial and business elements needed to obtain Canada Permanent Resident status through Canada Residence by Investment.
The Federal Innovation Route: The Canada Start Up Visa Program
The Canada Start Up Visa Program (SUV) is a federal entrepreneur program and is the best and most popular option due to its quick and direct pathway to permanent resident status, no need to apply for a temporary work permit or go through a provincial selection process. The program was created with the intent of attracting innovative entrepreneurs who will create globally competitive, job producing companies in Canada.
The Financial and Support Requirements to Obtain an Investment-based PR in Canada through the SUV emphasizes obtaining validation and investment support from a Designated Organization (A Canadian Venture Capital Fund, an Angel Investor Group or a Business Incubator) instead of just the Applicant opening a Bank Account in Canada and making a deposit (passive).
The requirement of minimum investment(s) from these organizations is stringent:
Venture Capital Fund: The minimum amount of secured investment is CAD $200,000 if the supporting organization is a designated Canadian Venture Capital Fund.
Angel Investor Group: The minimum amount of secured investment is CAD $75,000 if the supporting organization is a designated Canadian Angel Investor Group.
Business Incubator: No minimum investment is required as long as the applicant is accepted into a designated Canadian Business Incubator Program and receives support from that program.
In order to use the Canada Start Up Visa Program, Applicants must have four core qualifications which demonstrate that the applicant’s business is innovative, will create jobs in Canada and has growth potential. In addition, the applicants must own at least 10% of their company’s voting shares, and combined with the designated organization, must own more than 50% of the total voting shares in their company. The Letter of Support from a designated organization proves the designated organization’s support for the Applicant’s business and is the basis for the PR Application. An applicant must also achieve at least CLB 5 in all four skills of English or French as a second language: speaking, reading, Listening and Writing. Finally, an applicant must provide documented proof that they have the required investment funds to support themselves and their families after they arrive in Canada as permanent residents.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Regional Business Opportunities
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams represent a strong option for entrepreneurs looking to start an existing business or operate a traditional business that focuses on a specific local market. Through the PNP, entrepreneurs can invest in Canada for permanent resident by fulfilling the provincial or territorial economic needs.
Generally, each PNP business stream has a two-step process in which an applicant applies for a work permit to establish the business, and then after successfully completing their signed Performance Agreement, which will include the obligations associated with their investment, job creation and management, usually over 1-2 years, receives the provincial nomination for permanent residency.
Due to the economic diversity of the provinces, the financial and net worth requirements vary significantly.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP): The Capital Contribution
The province of Quebec operates the most significant passive investment based PR in Canada option: the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP). This program is designed for very high-net-worth individuals who wish to make a substantial capital contribution rather than actively manage a business venture. The program has reopened with stringent new criteria aimed at ensuring successful integration.
The financial commitment for the QIIP is substantial:
Net Worth: Have a legally acquired personal net worth of at least CAD $2 million.
Investment: Make an interest-free, five-year guaranteed term investment of CAD $1.2 million with a financial intermediary.
Contribution: Pay a non-refundable contribution of CAD $200,000 to Investissement Québec.
French and Residency: Applicants must demonstrate French proficiency at the B2 level (oral and aural) and complete a minimum stay of 12 months in Quebec within two years of receiving a work permit.
While the QIIP remains a relevant path to invest in Canada for permanent resident status, its high cost now limits the program to those with significant wealth. Beyond the financial commitment, applicants must also navigate updated requirements, including French language proficiency and a period of residency in Quebec.
Your individual personal goals for your Canadian-based residency, as well as your financial situation and interests in entrepreneurship will help determine which investment-based pathway best fits your needs.
The best option for those who excel at innovating and developing external financing sources would be the Canada Start Up Visa Program as the way to obtain PR through investment in Canada.
For individuals who wish to operate and/or manage a business that is actively tailored to meet a specific regional economy’s needs, the PNP Entrepreneur Stream would be the most appropriate means of gaining investment based pr in canada.
For individuals who have large holdings of liquid assets and are interested in investing passive capital contributions, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is another option available to you.
Regardless of which investment pathway or program you choose to pursue to achieve Canadian PR status, it is essential that your net worth is verified as being legally obtained so that, upon verification, your application will be strong and ultimately successful.
FRR Immigration: Navigating Your Path to Canada Residence by Investment
FRR Immigration helps individuals with significant assets (i.e. high-net-worth), as well as entrepreneurs, turn their dreams into a reality by offering residence by investment in Canada. This is a significant decision, so we want to alleviate the complicated law and finances, so you’re left with no confusion and no time wasted. We will give you straightforward, effective treatment throughout your entire experience.
FRR Immigration supports your immigration application to obtain Canada Residence by investment by doing the following:
Program Strategy Formulation: We analyze your current net worth; business experience; and end goal(s) through a thorough customized analysis. We determine the best immigration pathway based on your individual situation (Canada start-up visa program; provincial nominee programs; or immigration and residency under Quebec).
Developing Your Business Concept: For both start-up visa(PNP) programs, FRR Immigration helps each client develop an attractive, compliant, and successful Business Plan to follow in order to increase the chances of receiving a letter of support from a Designated Organisation, or provincial nomination.
Verifying your personal net worth and the money you have available to invest in Canada for Permanent resident can be confusing and confusing with missing documentation. We will work closely with you to ensure we compile all supporting documents for the amount of your net worth and your funds that you legally acquired, as well as obtain all necessary documentation to file for Business PR in Canada (when required).
FRR Immigration manages your application with federal and provincial authorities on your behalf as the applicant. We do all the legwork so that you will not have to worry about your language test results, reference letters, and due diligence reports being completed and submitted by the application deadline.
For clients using the 2-step PNP streams, we guide you through your first work permit, performance agreement, and transition into your final PR application process.Using our expert knowledge gives you the confidence to invest in Canada for Permanent Resident Status.
Do you want to ensure your family’s future in Canada?Call us now for a free consultation to get expert assistance with your investment requirements for Canadian Permanent Residency!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) still open?
A: Yes, the QIIP has reopened with updated requirements in 2024. It now includes higher net worth and investment thresholds, as well as mandatory French language proficiency (B2 level) and a one-year residency requirement in Quebec.
2. How much personal net worth do I need for the Canada Start Up Visa Program?
A: The SUV does not have a fixed minimum net worth requirement, but applicants must demonstrate enough unborrowed settlement funds to support their family. The financial requirements are primarily focused on securing third-party investment (CAD $75,000 to CAD $200,000) or incubator acceptance.
3. What is the biggest advantage of the Canada Start Up Visa Program?
A: The main advantage is the direct-to-PR pathway. Unlike many other business visas, the Canada Start Up Visa Program grants permanent resident status without a mandatory preceding period on a temporary work permit.
4. Can I get PR through investment in Canada by buying any existing Canadian business?
A: No. While many Provincial Nominee Programs allow buying an existing business, it must meet specific criteria, including maintaining or creating jobs for Canadian citizens or residents, and the business must contribute significantly to the provincial economy.
5. Are the investment funds in the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program returned?
A: Yes, the CAD $1.2 million investment is a guaranteed, interest-free term investment that is returned to the investor after five years. The CAD $200,000 financial contribution, however, is non-refundable.
