13 A, Noon Avenue, New Muslim Town, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan

Sat – Thu: 9.00 am to 05.00 pm

Entrepreneur Program Canada

Welcoming eligible small businesses and startups, Canada will help your business reach new heights as you work together to support the economy and create jobs for its citizens and permanent residents like you.

Federal Entrepreneur Program

This program has been discontinued and is unlikely to be reopened in the future.

Eligible applicants and their immediate families will be granted permanent residence in Canada to manage and establish or acquire at least 33.33% of the capital of an eligible Canadian business that creates at least one new job in the economy.

Federal Startup Visa

Entrepreneurs can grow their businesses in Canada with funding and expertise from accredited Canadian private sector organizations and receive a Canadian startup visa in exchange for growing the economy and creating job opportunities for citizens and residents. Unlike immigrant investor programs or the federal entrepreneur program, applicants are not required to invest their own capital to meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Instead, they must obtain a minimum venture capital or angel investment from one or more designated organizations.

Canada Entrepreneur Visa Program 2024

If there is a visa that is more suitable for expanding or starting your business, there is nothing better than applying for the Entrepreneur Canada program, now known as the Canada Startup Visa. Canada is a potential hub for future business opportunities for those looking to start or expand their business in this entrepreneurial nation.

That is why you should apply for the Entrepreneur Canada program if you intend to take your business to new heights on an international platform and simultaneously apply for a Canadian permanent residence visa.

It is one of the leading cities when it comes to the successful financial and healthcare sectors, as well as expanding and growing industry, making it a favorite among business expats who want to opt for Canadian immigration. The country is a hotbed of business opportunities, skilled workforce, political stability, tax incentives, business friendly policies and many other benefits.

 

Perks of Canada Entrepreneur visa

⦁ Just like Start-up Visa Canada the candidates will receive direct permanent residency visa for an indefinite period of time along with access to all Canada PR Visa benefits.
⦁ According to your financial capacity and eligibility requirements you can select any provincial Entrepreneur program of Canada.
⦁ Canada as per the World Bank is one of the top-rated places for conducting business and starting or establishing a new business.
⦁ Due to the business-friendly policies framed by the Canadian government, it is relatively easy to commence business anywhere in Canada as it takes less than a month to finish all the necessary procedures.
⦁ As a Canada permanent resident visa holder has access to benefits such as universal free healthcare till the age of 18, after which university fees is subsidized, universal free healthcare, as well as social security perks such as unemployment allowance, employment insurance, child aid and support as well as maternity, disability as well as family related benefits along with public pensions.
⦁ As a PR holder you will have a direct pathway to Canadian citizenship.
⦁ With a Canadian passport you can have access to visa-free travel to more than 150 countries.

  • J-1 visas for exchange students on a relevant exchange program.
  • J-2 visas for dependents of J-1 visa holders (as for F-2 visas)
  •  

Canada Provincial Entrepreneur Visa Programs

Program Investment Requirement Net Worth Requirement
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (Entrepreneur Stream) CAD 600,000 for business in GTA; CAD 200,000 outside GTA CAD 800,000 in GTA; CAD 400,000 outside GTA
British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration (Base Category) CAD 200,000 CAD 600,000
Quebec Entrepreneur Program CAD 300,000 for business in Montreal; CAD 200,000 outside Montreal CAD 900,000
British Columbia Regional Pilot Program CAD 100,000 in BC regional areas CAD 300,000
Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream CAD 300,000 for business in Regina or Saskatoon; CAD 200,000 for other communities CAD 500,000
Manitoba Entrepreneur Route CAD 250,000 for business in the capital; CAD 150,000 outside the capital CAD 500,000
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream CAD 150,000 CAD 600,000
Prince Edward Island (Business Impact Category) CAD 150,000 CAD 600,000

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Entrepreneur visa program

Entrepreneurship programs that fall under Canada’s business visa category are run by various Canadian provinces. Below you will find the eligibility requirements by province for the Canadian permanent resident visa.

⦁ As an applicant you should hold net worth and funds a minimum of CAD 300,000 and a maximum of CAD 800,000.
⦁ Must be eligible to be able to make a minimum Canadian minimum business investment of CAD 100,000 to a maximum limit of CAD 600,000
⦁ You should have a drafted a business plan comprising of business concept, marketing plan, staffing, products and offerings, finance management as well as creation of jobs for the local citizens.
⦁ Have a business management as well as ownership experience between 2 to 5 years.
⦁ The applicant should be able to meet the minimum language proficiency of CLB 5 in every band inclusive of Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Listening 5.0, and Speaking 5.0.
⦁ They must be able to display their active engagement in the daily ongoing activities of their business.

Visa Fees and processing time required for Canada Entrepreneur Program

Canadian Entrepreneur Program application processing time is 12 to 15 months for all PNP business immigration programs. Here is a list of fees for each of these PCP immigration programs:

The Process

Month 1-5 Start-up Approval and Due Diligence Process

⦁ The start-up concept is developed and approved during this phase.
⦁ Immigration.ca assists in building the start-up team.
⦁ Team members bring their expertise to support the start-up individually, while collectively bringing essential experience and skill sets.
⦁ The start-up is presented together with Immigration.ca to a designated organization.
⦁ The start-up undergoes due diligence during this period.

Month 6-7 Final Letter of Support

⦁ Immigration.ca guides and supports the process of obtaining the Final Letter of Support.
⦁ The designated organization, usually an Incubator, issues the Final Letter of Support within the first 6-7 months.

Month 8-24 Processing application for Permanent Residence and Early Entry Work Permit

⦁ Upon receiving the Letter of Support, the application for Canadian Permanent Residence can be submitted.
⦁ Where applicable, the application for a Work Permit can also be submitted.
⦁ The approximate processing time for a work permit is 6 months from submission.
⦁ The approximate processing for Permanent Residence is 22 months from submission.

During the interview additional documentation may also be required

  • 1. Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
  • 2. Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the USA. This may include bank statements, a financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs or a scholarship program. 
  • 3. Evidence that you will leave the USA once you have completed your course of study. This can be in the form of an airline ticket out of the USA to your home country.

US Student Visa Processing Time

  • The processing time for a US student visa  can be on average 3 to 5 weeks, or even 2 to 3 months, depending on your application and the type of visa. F-1 visa applicants can expect a shorter processing time  than other visa types. After receiving a positive response from the US visa consulate, applicants can usually expect to receive their paper copy of the visa  in about 2-3 days. Also, F-1 visas are issued no earlier than 120 days after the start of your stay.