Business Migration Visa
There are three programs that target immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada:
- Self-employed Visa Program
- Start-up Visa Program
- Provincial Nominees Business Program
1. Self-employed Visa Program
The Self-Employed Migration option allows an applicant with relevant experience in culture or athletics to immigrate to Canada if he/she makes a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.
To be eligible under this category, the applicant must have been self -employed in cultural activities or athletics or participated at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics.
In addition to the above, the applicant must obtain 35 points from the five selection criteria listed below:
a) Relevant experience
The applicant must prove that he/she has relevant experience within the period beginning five years before the date of the application.
- Two years of relevant experience – 20 points
- Three years of relevant experience – 25 points
- Four years of relevant experience – 30 points
- Five years of relevant experience – 35 points
b) Age
| Age | Points |
|---|---|
| 16 or under | 0 |
| 17 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 |
| 19 | 6 |
| 20 | 8 |
| 21-49 | 10 |
| 50 | 8 |
| 51 | 6 |
| 52 | 4 |
| 53 | 2 |
| 54 or over | 0 |
c) Education
| Level of education | Points |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. or Masters with at least 17 years of full-time study | 25 |
| Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time study | 22 |
| Three-year diploma/trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time equivalent study | 22 |
| University degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time study | 20 |
| Two-year diploma/trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time equivalent study | 20 |
| One year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time equivalent study | 15 |
| One year diploma/trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time study | 15 |
| One year diploma/trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time study | 12 |
| Completion of High School | 5 |
d) English and French language ability
A maximum of 24 points is awarded for the applicant’s ability to read, write, listen, and speak in the English and the French languages according to the results achieved in one of the recognized language examinations accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
e) Adaptability
A maximum of 5 points is awarded for adaptability factors including: the spouse or common-law partner’s level of education; if the applicant or his/her spouse or common-law partner have studied or worked in Canada; and if the applicant or his/her spouse or common-law partner has immediate close family in Canada.
2. Start-up Visa Program
- The Start-Up Visa category is an initiative from the Canadian Government to encourage immigrant entrepreneurs to contribute to the Canadian economy as working residents.
Before applying for this visa, you must: - Prove your business venture or idea is supported by a designated organization with a Letter of Support from that organization.
- Show you created a business.
- Prove your French or English proficiency in all areas of the language (Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening) by scoring a grade of at least level 5 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) test or equivalent.
- Proof of sufficient funds. The amount of funds is dependent on the family size:
| Number of family members | Fund required in (Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 13,757 |
| 2 | 17,127 |
| 3 | 21,055 |
| 4 | 25,564 |
| 5 | 28,994 |
| 6 | 32,700 |
| 7 | 36,407 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member | 3,706 |
3. Provincial Nominees Business Program
See section on Immigration to the Provinces.