Investor Visa for Canada

As a Canada immigration consultancy, Global Visas can help you to assess which business immigration option for relocation to Canada is right for you.

Global Visas doesn't stop at providing your regular type of Canada visa. We offer guidance and a range of services to cover everything you will require before your move to Canada from immigration lawyer expertise, detailed information on immigration processes and more.

Benefits of Canada Investor Visa

Immigration visas of this type  aims at attracting people with economic skills and experience to immigrate to Canada on a permanent basis on order to contribute to and further develop the economy.

The IIP Canadian immigration service provides a route to permanent residence in Canada and, unlike temporary visas for Canada designed for short term solutions such as a Canadian visit visa (often known as a tourist visa), no restrictions are placed on this working visa upon the work that can be undertaken.

No specific job offer is required as is the case with a Canadian work permit and successful applications for migration to Canada will receive permanent resident status.

Three years following your immigration to Canada, immigration services provide the opportunity for candidates to progress from permanent residency and apply for Canadian citizenship. 

You may also find our advice on Canada Self Employed Visa to of benifit and help you build out choices.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Investor Visa

In Canada, immigration applications under the investor programme require applicants to demonstrate at least two years of managerial experience. In addition, candidates must be able to demonstrate a minimum net worth of CDN$1.6 million. They must then invest CDN$800,000 with the Canadian Government for five years (all of which will then be returned) OR make a one-off, non-refundable payment of aproximately CDN$120,000.

Migration visas of this kind focus on attracting immigrants who will invest in the Canadian economy, without necessarily starting a business.

Candidates considering this type of Canada visa application may only apply for one business immigration service. Once an application has been submitted, switching to another route is not permitted.

Points System for Canada Investor Visa

The entrepreneur scheme involves a points-based skills assessment. Candidates who wish to migrate to Canada via this route are rated on their educational achievements, business experience, age and language proficiency.

Business experience

In Canada, visa applications of this kind are granted between 20 and 35 points for business experience gained in the five years prior to the application's submission.

Education

Points are awarded for education. Points are based on an applicant's highest academic achievement and years spent in education as set out below:

• Master's degree/PhD and a minimum of 17 years in full-time study = Maximum Points
• Two or more bachelor's degrees and a minimum of 15 years in full-time study
• Three-year diploma, apprenticeship or trade certificate and a minimum of 15 years in full-time study
• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 14 years in full-time study
• Two-year diploma, apprenticeship or trade certificate and a minimum of 14 years in full-time study
• One-year bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 13 years in full-time study
• One-year diploma, apprenticeship or trade certificate and a minimum of 13 years in full-time study
• One-year diploma, apprenticeship or trade certificate plus a minimum of 12 years in full-time study
• Graduation from secondary school

Language Skills

The entrepreneur scheme constitutes of a route to settled status as a permanent Canadian resident. Accordingly, applying for a Canadian work visa of this kind requires proficiency in either English or French, the official languages of Canada.

Candidates with proficiency in both languages should elect one as their "first language".

Points are awarded in the four abilities of speaking, listening, reading and writing with a higher value for the first language, and less points in each area for the second.

First Official Language (Points are given per ability area)

• High = Maximum Points
• Moderate
• Basic = Minimum Points
• None = 0 

Second Official Language (Points are given per ability area)

• High = Maximum Points
• Moderate 
• Basic = Minimum Points
• None = 0

Age

Canadian immigration visas of this class also award points for an applicant's age.

Maximum points will be awarded to candidates between the ages of 21 and 49. Beyond this range, two points are deducted per year with no points awarded to candidates aged below 17 or over 53.

Adaptability to life in Canada

Extra points can be obtained for demonstrating an ability to adapt to life and business in Canada.

Applications for Canadian visas can be bolstered by demonstrating that candidates have:

• Made an exploratory business trip to Canada in the five years preceding the application.
• Participated in an immigration programme run as a joint federal-provincial initiative.

In either of the above circumstances, documentary evidence will be required from your destination province.

Dependants

In Canada, business and investor visas applications make provision for spouse and dependent immigration, allowing your husband, wife, common-law partner, or unmarried partner to join you in Canada. Unmarried dependent children under the age of 22 may also join you. Find out further information on our Self Employed page.