This category is open only to individuals with prior self-employed experience as farmers, athletes (at an international level), or artisans. To qualify under the Self-Employed category, an applicant must demonstrate an intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep him or her employed and makes a “significant” contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada.

Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed business will generate sufficient revenues to support the applicant and his or her dependents. Farmers, artisans, sports personalities, actors, consultants, and operators of small business outlets that may be in demand are examples of applicants who may qualify.In order to be approved as a Self-Employed Immigrant, the applicant must first meet the regulatory definition, and then comply with the selection criteria for that category of the immigrant. Most applicants are selected or refused because they meet, or fail to meet, the definition.

Who is a Self-Employed Immigrant?

The following aspects of the regulatory definition should be factored into assessment of a Self-Employed Immigrant:

• Intends and has ability to do business in Canada;
• Able to establish or purchase a business in Canada;
• Will create an employment opportunity for himself;
• Will make a significant contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada.

Selection

Applicants are accessed on a point system. Eight factors are taken into consideration. Self-Employed applicants are required to achieve 35 points out of possible total of 100, in order to qualify. Applicants are accessed on the following factors

• Education;
• Business Experience;
• Age;
• Knowledge of English and French;
• Adaptability

Features of the Self-Employed Program

• No immigration “terms and conditions” are imposed requiring the applicant to set up his/her business;
• Self-employed immigrants must have the ability to establish a business that will at a minimum create an employment for themselves which will make a significant contribution to the economy or to Canada’s artistic or cultural life;

There is no minimum investment level for a self-employed person. The capital required depends on the character of the business. The applicant must have a sufficient amount to create an employment for himself and support his/her family. The applicant must show that he/she has been able to support himself and family through his talents and would be likely to continue to do so in Canada. This includes the ability to be self-supporting until his employment will be created.

One year of work experience (or equivalent) is required, previous self-employment is not a pre-requisite. A person’s experience or past success in business may be strong indicators of ability to establish a business in Canada. Hands on experience in management may also be an excellent measure of ability.

A professional may quality as a self-employed person if he/she intends to practice his/her profession in Canada as a business. Registration or licensing may be necessary to demonstrate an ability to operate a professional practice in Canada. The application would not be approved until the applicant has complied with the registration or licensing requirements in effect in the area of destination.

There is no specific determination of significant contribution for a self-employed person. The business should contribute in ongoing fashion to the economy or the cultural and artistic life of one of Canada’s communities, provinces or territories.

As a qualified Immigrant Investor, you and your immediate family can obtain Canadian Permanent Resident Visas by investing CAD $400,000 for five years under the Federal Program (applicants intending to reside anywhere in Canada, except Quebec) or the Quebec Program (applicants intending to reside in the province of Quebec). This investment is placed with the Receiver General of Canada.

Both programs are Government guaranteed, assuring that your CAD $400,000 will be reimbursed in full, without interest, at the end of five years.

Selection

In addition, applicants are accessed on a point system. Unlike, the Independent Class applicants, Investor applicants are only required to achieve a total of 35 points in order to qualify. Applicants are accessed on the following factors

• Education;
• Business Experience;
• Age;
• Knowledge of English and French;
• Adaptability

Features of the Investor Program

• Investors are not required to start a business in Canada;
• Investments are fully guaranteed by provinces and territories that participate in the program;
• The provinces and territories control the investment during the five-year lock-in period;
• No immigration “terms and conditions” are imposed upon admission

There are two (2) ways for an Investor to demonstrate business experience:

(i) management and control of a qualifying business of sufficient size;

OR

(ii) management of a business, or a portion of a business, (without the need to own it) with at least five (5) full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) employees.

(i) Ownership Option

In the ownership option, Investors will be required to provide documentation, proving that, within any two (2) of the last five (5) years, they controlled and managed a Qualifying Business that meets any two (2) of the defined requirements/attributes for full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) employees, sales, net income and equity.

(ii) Management Option

As an alternative to actual ownership, Investors may qualify by providing documentary proof that, over any two (2) of the last five (5) years, they had managed at least five (5) full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) employees in a business.
The Canadian government established the Immigration Investor Program to promote economic development and employment in Canada by attracting people with capital, business acumen and/or solid managerial skills.

As a qualified Immigrant Investor, you and your immediate family can obtain Canadian Permanent Resident Visas by investing CAD $400,000 for five years under the Federal Program (applicants intending to reside anywhere in Canada, except Quebec) or the Quebec Program (applicants intending to reside in the province of Quebec). This investment is placed with the Receiver General of Canada.

Both programs are Government guaranteed, assuring that your CAD $400,000 will be reimbursed in full, without interest, at the end of five years.

Selection

In addition, applicants are accessed on a point system. Unlike, the Independent Class applicants, Investor applicants are only required to achieve a total of 35 points in order to qualify. Applicants are accessed on the following factors
Education;

• Business Experience;
• Age;
• Knowledge of English and French;
• Adaptability

Canada’s Business Immigration Program selects business immigrants based on their ability to become economically established in Canada.

Canada has three categories of Business Immigration: Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed persons. If you meet the requirements for more than one (1) type of category, you may choose the one that you prefer for Immigration. Features of each program are linked, below, to help you make that Immigration decision.

• Entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Self-Employed