Provincial Business Programs
Individuals with an intermediate net estate with adequate business experience can be eligible to apply under one of the various Provincial Business Programs. Currently, the business programs are managed by provincial individuals and follow a two-step process for permanent residency. First, a province selects or nominates the candidates if they fulfill the program requirements. Based on this selection or nomination, they can apply to the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Department to obtain permanent residency.
A number of provinces manage their own business immigration programs which require the active participation in the administration of a business based on a specific investment and job creation. The programs vary in the requirements to qualify but generally refer to a net estate around $350,000 with considerable experience in management. Some of the programs require a good faith deposit that is reimbursable once a business has been established. Under the provincial nominated programs, the candidates can first apply to a nomination by a province, and based on this nomination they can obtain permanent residency after the federal health examinations and criminal history.
British Columbia
The British Columbia Provincial Nominees Program has three divisions aimed at entrepreneurs with specific requirements. The net estate requirements vary from $400,000 to $800,000 CAD and the investment requirements vary from $200,000 up to $500,000 CAD. Unlike the other immigration programs, British Columbia first supports the candidates in the issue of a Work Permit. The province will only nominate a candidate for permanent residence once he has successfully established himself and is operating the object business while found in Canada as titleholders of a job permit.
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Business Category of the Immigration Nominee Program requires that the candidates have a minimum legally acquired estate of $300,000 CAD, a minimum of three years of relevant business or managements experience and a demonstrated intention of settling in and investing in Saskatchewan. The candidates are obligated to invest at least $150,000 CAD in a business in the province that they will actively manage. They should also make a deposit of $75,000 CAD with the province that will be returned to them if they fulfill certain conditions that include making the required investment to the province and demonstrate the active management during a period of six months or more.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Business Category of the Provincial Nominated nominates candidates that have a minimum net estate of $350,000 CAD, three years of ownership of a business and management or senior management experience. That they have a sufficient number of points according to an acceptability matrix that takes into account factors such as age, business experience, financial resources, linguistic capabilities and ties to the province of Manitoba. The successful candidates should make an investment in a Manitoba business of at least $150,000 CAD and provide active management. First, the candidates should present an “Expression of Interest” to the province to which they provide their undocumented support profile. The best profiles from the “Expression of Interest” will be invited to present a complete application for the business program. The successful candidates should make a deposit of $100,000 to the province at the time of their nomination that will be returned if they fulfill certain conditions that include making a required investment to the province and demonstrating the active management of the business.
Ontario
The Ontario Provincial Program, known as Ontario Opportunities, includes options so that foreign businesses make investments at a great scale in the province and that wish to obtain permanent residence for up to 25 key qualified employees. The minimum investment required is of $3,000,000 CAD and should be approved by an Ontario Ministry. It also involves the creation of at least five full-time jobs for Ontario residents.
New Brunswick
The main requirements for the New Brunswick Provincial Business Nominees Program is that the candidate demonstrate a personal legally acquired net estate of at least $300,000 CAD. That they have at least three years of relevant business management experience, within the previous five years to the application, and that they have the intention of making an eligible investment of $125,000 and providing active management in New Brunswick. The candidates are also evaluated based on their age, linguistic capabilities, education and ties to the province. Successful candidates should make a deposit of $75,000 CAD to the province at the time of their nomination by the province that is returned fulfilling certain established criteria with respect to the proposed business investment.
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Business Nominees Program requires that the candidates demonstrate a personal legally acquired net estate of at least $600,000 CAD that they have relevant business experience and make an active investment to a local business of at least $150,000 CAD. Age, language and educational requirements are also applicable. Successful candidates should make a deposit in the province of $200,000 CAD at the time of their nomination that will be returned to them instalments as they fulfill various conditions.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories Business Program requires that the candidates demonstrate a personal net estate of $250,000 CAD, that they have relevant management experience and that they make an active investment of at least $150,000 CAD in a local business. Similar to other business programs, they request that the successful candidates make a refundable good faith deposit of $75,000 CAD.
Yukón
The Yukon Provincial Business Nominees Program first nominates successful candidates for a two-year work permit. They request that the candidates establish a proposed business in Yukon during the validity period of the work permit. Only then are they nominated for permanent residence. The successful candidates should demonstrate a personal legally acquired net estate of $250,000 CAD, have relevant business management experience and make an active investment of at least $150,000 in a local business. The candidates will also be evaluated based on factors such as age, capabilities, linguistics, education and previous visits to Yukon.