Start-up Visa Program
This program targets immigrant entrepreneurs who wish to start a business and create jobs. You may be eligible for this program if you are a talented and brilliant entrepreneur capable of creating a business in Canada that is original and creative, will create work opportunities for residents, and could become an international player.
Eligibility to the Program
In order for you to be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you have five main requirements that you need to fulfill:
- Prove that your business is supported by a designated organization (see below). Those are Canadian venture capital firms, angel investors groups and business incubators, that need to issue you a Letter of Support. You need to contact them directly to ask for support.
- Show that the designated organization(s) that supports you hold(s) at least 50% of voting rights in the business and that you and a maximum of 4 others persons, hold the remaining 50% of voting rights, each one having at least 10% of voting rights.
- Prove that you meet the minimum language requirements, either in French or in English. You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all of these four areas: speaking, reading, listening, and writing..
- Bring enough money to settle. The amount needed, updated every year, depends on the number of family members that are coming with you. You will need to show proof that you own the money and that it is not borrowed. The funds must be readily transferable funds in a convertible currency.
- You must not intend to live in the province of Quebec.
Self-Employed Persons Program
Immigrate to become self-employed in Canada (athlete, author, writer etc.) The Self-Employed Persons Program targets people who want to become self-employed in Canada. They must have relevant experience in Cultural Activities or Athletics, and intend to make a Significant Contribution to Canada. With regards to occupations, only those in the Unit Group 5 (Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport) under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) qualify for this program..
Examples of eligible occupations would be :
- Librarians,
- Editors and journalists,
- Singers,
- Dancers,
- Comedians and actors,
- Photographers,
- Athletes and coaches,
- Designers, etc.
Eligibility to the Program
To be eligible to the self-employed person program, you need to satisfy the four following main requirements:
- You intend on and be capable of self-employment in Canada.
- You (and your family members) have to undergo medical tests, and provide police certificates for countries where you lived for more than 6 consecutive months after the age of 18.
- You have relevant experience between (i) five years before your application date and (i) when a decision is made on your application, either in cultural or athletic activities:At least two years of self-employment (can be made up of 2 separate periods of 1 consecutive year), or
- At least two years of participation in international activities (can be made up of 2 separate periods of 1 consecutive year), or
- At least a combo of one year of self-employment (see 1.), and one year of participation in international activities.
- You have to meet the selection criteria for self-employed people, which means getting a minimum of 35 points out of a 100.
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