Frequently Asked Questions > Canadian Immigration Requirements

1. What is required to apply for immigration to Canada?

In order to apply to immigrate to Canada, an individual must submit a completed application form, applicable government processing fees, statutory documentation, documentation attesting to their complicance with the minimum requierments of the program in which an application is submitted, police clearance documentation, and must undergo medical and security clearance.

In the business class, an applicant will also be required to promise to invest into or create a Canadian business.

2. What is the cost to immigrate?

There is a government processing fee of CAD$1050 and Right of Permanent Resident Fee of CAD$975 for the principal applicant in an immigrant investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed application. An accompanyng spouse/partner or a dependent family member who is 22 years or older is subject to a processing fee of CAD$550 and Right of Permanent Resident Fee of CAD$975. Dependent famiy members less than 22 years of age are subject only to a processing fee of CAD$150.

Applicants destined to the province of Quebec are subject to additional processing fees due to the separate immigration procedure prescribed by that province.

3. What is the typical delay?

The delays for an application for permanent resident status in Canada's business class may range from 12 to 48 months on average, depending primarily on the regional jurisdiction of the applicant, and therefore the visa office which is used.

Investor Immigrant Requirements

4. What amount of funds must I invest to qualify?

An immigrant investor is required to deposit an amount of CAD$400,000. This amount is invested only once an applicant has passed the immigration selection process.

5. Can I finance or borrow back any of the investment?

Yes, some approved investment funds do offer the option to finance a portion of the CAD$400,000 amount. The cost of the financing is set by the investment fund, and is deducted from the amount which is placed by the applicant. The total cost will vary depending on the amount financed.

Also, some funds allow you to borrow back a portion of the investment when in Canada. The advantage of borrowing back or financing a portion of the investment is that it allows the investor to use a portion of the immigration investment for their Canadian living expenses.

6. When do I get the investment back?

The investment is returned after a period of five years.

7. Is the security of the investment guaranteed?

As a general rule, the investor's capital is held in low risk interest-generating monetary instruments. This interest is used for investment into Canadian businesses while the capital itself remains secure. Proper selection of a fund can give the applicant the highest level of security in their investment.

8. Do I earn interest on the investment?

No, as the interest from the investment is accumulated and placed with Canadian businesses, the applicant does not earn any interest. This approach is used to insure the security of the investment capital.

Entrepreneur Immigrant Requirements

9. What is required of an Entrepreneur Immigrant?

An Entrepreneur Immigrant is required to establish a satisfactory Canadian business, and is required to be actively involved in the management of the business. The Entrepreneur must control a minimum of 33% of the shares of the business.

10. How long will I have to establish a satisfactory Canadian business?

Evidence of the satisfaction of the requirements of the Canadian business must be shown for at least one year within the three years after the Entrepreneur becomes a Canadian permanent resident.

11. Am I required to provide progress reports?

Yes, the Entrepreneur must report to the immigration authorities on a periodic basis after becoming a permanent resident in order to establish contact with the immigration authorities and to provide progress updates.

12. What happens if I do not start or invest into a satisfactory business?

The permanent resident status of an Immigrant Entrepreneur is conditional on the establishment of the satisfactory business. Failure to do so could potentially result in the loss of permanent resident status for the Entrepreneur and family members included in the application.

Self Employed Immigrant Requirements

13. Is any self-employed individual eligible in this category?

Those destined to the province of Quebec are eligible in any occupation in which they are self-employed. Applicants destined to any other province or territory are required to have experience and pursue self-employment in cultural, athletics, or farm management occupations.

14. What are cultural activities?

Cultural activities refer to occupations which would be considered to contribute to the cultural wealth of a nation. This generally refers to work of an artistic or artisanal nature.

 

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