Federal Program - Investors

•    What are the requirements for qualifying as an investor?

•    What is the procedure for becoming an investor?

•    What are the business experience requirements?

•    Does the business experience have to be recent?

•    How do I satisfy Citizenship and Immigration Canada that my net worth was obtained legally?

•    Who is responsible for the investment operations of the program?

•    What documents do I receive after I make my investment?

•    Where do most immigrant investors come from?

Q: What are the requirements for qualifying as an investor?

To qualify as an investor, you must have two years of business experience and a net worth of at least C$800,000 that was obtained legally. You must also obtain a minimum of 35 points in a selection grid designed to determine whether you will be able to become economically established in Canada. Before a visa is issued, you must make an investment of C$400,000 to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Q: What is the procedure for becoming an investor?

You must meet all the eligibility requirements, pass medical, criminal and security checks, and make an investment of C$400,000.

Q: What are the business experience requirements?

You must have been a part or full owner of a business for two years or more, or have managed the equivalent of five full-time workers in a business for a minimum of two full years.

Q: Does the business experience have to be recent?

The business experience must be in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Q: How do I satisfy Citizenship and Immigration Canada that my net worth was obtained legally?

You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to back up both your income sources and your net worth.

Q: Who is responsible for the investment operations of the program?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) administers all aspects of the program, including the investment that successful applicants must make. CIC acts as an agent for the participating provinces and territories.

Q: What documents do I receive after I make my investment?

You will receive a zero interest promissory note that is not transferable. You cannot sell the promissory note, but you can use it as collateral for a loan. At the maturity date, you must return the promissory note to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for repayment of your C$400,000 investment.

 Q: Where do most immigrant investors come from?

Investors come from all over the world. Currently, the majority of investors are from China, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong, but there are also substantial numbers of investors applying from the Middle East and elsewhere.

Posted on: 2009-07-21 22:07:17

Quebec Program – Investors

•    Why do I have to follow different steps with the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada?

•    What are the costs and timeframes for immigrating?

•    Who do I need to contact to submit an immigration application if I am already in Québec?

•    Can I get information on the Québec economy?

Q. Why do I have to follow different steps with the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada?

Immigration comes under the shared jurisdiction of the Government du Québec and the Government of Canada. To immigrate to Québec, candidates and their families must meet both the selection and the admission requirements.   

Selection

Québec is responsible for the selection of business immigrants who wish to settle in its territory.

Québec’s exclusive power over selection is guided by criteria it has determined in light of its immigration objectives. To be selected, a candidate must meet the requirements of one of three immigration programs for businesspeople (entrepreneur, investor, self-employed worker) by submitting an Application for a Selection Certificate and passing a selection interview.

If selected, candidates will receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec selection certificate), the official immigration document issued by the Government of Québec.

Admission

Canada is responsible for the admission of business immigrants on its territory. The Government of Canada admits to Québec only those business applicants that Québec has selected. To be admitted, candidates must submit an application for permanent residence. They, and their family members as well, must also pass the required medical examination and security checks.

An application for permanent residence is not accepted if an applicant’s health or that of a family member (who may or may not be accompanying the applicant) presents a health or public safety risk or may result in an excessive burden on health and social services in Canada, even if the candidate has received a CSQ.



On arrival, the applicant is granted permanent resident status, which confers the same rights as those enjoyed by all Canadian citizens, except the right to vote and the right to obtain a Canadian passport. After three years of permanent residency, a candidate may claim these rights by applying for Canadian citizenship.

Q. What are the costs and time frames for immigrating?

The fees levied by the Québec government for processing immigration applications are indicated below:

Entrepreneurs        -  C$950

Investors                 -  C$3,850

Self-employed         -  C$950

Each Dependant     -  C$150

The fees are subject to change at any time and they are non-refundable.

Processing times

The time required to process applications varies due to a number of factors (overall selection objectives by geographic pool and immigration category, volume of applications for a Québec Selection Certificate submitted from various territories, international context).



These processing times apply to applications for a Québec Selection Certificate only. They do not include those that apply to applications to the Government of Canada for permanent residence.

Information regarding processing times is updated regularly.

Q. Who do I need to contact to submit an immigration application if I am already in Québec?

The immigration application must be sent to the Government of Quebec office in Montreal.

Q. Can I get information on the Québec economy?

There are many good reasons for choosing to live and do business in Québec. By learning as much as you can before you arrive, you will spare yourself unpleasant surprises or disappointments. Your immigration and business plans will rest on a surer footing as a result.

Doing business in Québec

To businesspeople eager to explore new horizons, Québec offers a diversified, dynamic, modern and outward-looking economy, a highly skilled labour force, competitive operating costs and an advantageous corporate tax system.

 

Posted on: 2009-07-22 08:53:58

•    What does “federal skilled worker” mean?

•    What if I have already applied and want to withdraw my application? Can I get my money back?

•    Will my fee be refunded if my application is returned or refused?

•    What is “arranged employment”?

•   Is the simplified application process still being used for skilled workers?

Changes to the law that affect how federal skilled workers are assessed

•    What changes have been made to the way my federal skilled worker application is assessed?

•    What happens if I already applied to immigrate to Canada before February 27, 2008? How will this affect me?

•    Do the changes affect the points system?

•    If I applied before the new law came into effect, and I would be eligible for processing according to the criteria in the instructions, can I withdraw my application and reapply under the new system?

•    Do the changes affect application fees?

•    What if I’m not eligible under the criteria outlined in the instructions?

•    Do I need to reapply if I submitted my application on or after February 27, 2008, but before the Minister’s instructions were issued?

•    I am an international student or a temporary foreign worker living legally in Canada. Should I apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or under the Federal Skilled Worker category? What’s the difference between the two?

Q: What does “federal skilled worker” mean?

Skilled workers are selected as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada.

The term “federal skilled worker” refers to the category under which skilled workers apply if they want to live in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec.

Skilled workers who want to live in Quebec apply under a separate category. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers and therefore applicants going to Quebec through that program are known as “Quebec-selected” skilled workers.

Q: What if I have already applied and want to withdraw my application? Can I get my money back?

You can contact your local visa office and withdraw your application. Your fee will be refunded as long as the office has not begun processing your application.

Q: Will my fee be refunded if my application is returned or refused?

If you applied before February 27, 2008, the date the changes to the immigration law took effect, your application will be processed. You will not get a refund unless you choose to withdraw your application before it is processed.

If you applied on or after February 27, 2008, and your application is not eligible for processing, you will get a full refund. If your application is processed and it is refused, you will not get a refund.

Q: What is “arranged employment”?

“Arranged employment” is where a skilled worker applicant has a certain kind of job offer in place before applying to immigrate to Canada.

If you have an offer of permanent employment from a Canadian employer, it can improve your chances of having your federal skilled worker application approved.



Depending on your circumstances, the requirements for a valid offer of employment are different.

1) If you are currently working in Canada:

•    your current employer must have made an offer to give you a permanent job if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and

•    your temporary work permit must be valid both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued.

In addition:

•    your work permit must have been confirmed by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) through a positive labour market opinion or

•    you must be in a category that is exempt from an Arranged Employment Opinion

in order for your offer of employment to be valid.

2) In all other cases:

You must not be working in Canada and you either

•    do not have a valid work permit or

•    you have a work permit, but your circumstances are different from those described in the first example.

In this case, the offer of employment is valid if your prospective employer

•    has made an offer to hire you on an indeterminate basis if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and

•    has obtained a positive Arranged Employment Opinion from HRSDC

and you

•    meet all required Canadian licensing or regulatory standards associated with the job.

Q: Is the simplified application process still being used for skilled workers?

No. Changes have been made to the way skilled worker applications are processed. As a result, applicants are now asked to submit a completed regular application.

Q: What changes have been made to the way my federal skilled worker application is assessed?

With changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, federal skilled worker applications received on or after February 27, 2008 will be assessed for eligibility according to a set of instructions issued by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

These instructions, which are based on input from the provinces and territories, the public, business, labour and non-governmental organizations, allow Canada to better respond to labour market needs.

If your application meets the criteria outlined in the instructions, it will then be assessed according to the points system.

Q: What happens if I already applied to immigrate to Canada before February 27, 2008? How will this affect me?

If you applied before February 27, 2008, your application is not affected by the new law. It only applies to applications submitted on or after February 27, 2008.

Q: Do the changes affect the points system?

No. If a skilled worker application is found eligible for processing, it will then be assessed according to the points system.

Q: If I applied before the new law came into effect, and I would be eligible for processing according to the criteria in the instructions, can I withdraw my application and reapply under the new system?

Yes. If you want to withdraw your application and reapply under the new rules you may do so.

Q: Do the changes affect application fees?

The changes do not affect the current application fees.

Q: What if I’m not eligible under the criteria outlined in the instructions?

The eligibility criteria outlined in the instructions are meant to reflect Canada’s labour market needs. As these needs change, new instructions will be issued. You can visit our website to find out if there are changes.

There are many ways to immigrate to Canada. If you don’t meet the criteria to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you may qualify under another category.(link to Visa Programs page)

Q: Do I need to reapply if I submitted my application on or after February 27, 2008, but before the Minister’s instructions were issued?

No.

Q: I am an international student or a temporary foreign worker living legally in Canada. Should I apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or under the Federal Skilled Worker category? What’s the difference between the two?

Some international students and temporary foreign workers living legally in Canada are eligible to apply to stay permanently in Canada under either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The main differences between eligibility for the two categories are the length of time you’ve spent in Canada and the way you’ll be assessed.

For example:

•    federal skilled worker applicants must be assessed against the points system for factors like education, language, work experience, age and adaptability; and

•    CEC applicants must meet specific minimum requirements for language ability, Canadian work experience and, in some cases, Canadian education.

Learn more about the requirements for: (include internal links to following pages)

•    Federal Skilled Workers

•    Canadian Experience Class



 

Posted on: 2009-07-21 22:24:46

•    What steps do I need to follow to immigrate to Québec to work?

•    What is the purpose of the list of areas of training?

•    What are the prerequisites for immigrating to Québec as a worker?

•    What are the timeframes and costs related to immigrating?

•    Can I find out what my chances are of qualifying to immigrate to Québec?

•    Can I obtain information on how to search for a job in Québec?

•    Can I obtain information on professional orders?

Q: What steps do I need to follow to immigrate to Québec to work?

1. Find out about Québec

Do you like the idea of living in Québec? Have you thought about everything that this change in your life will involve? Getting the facts is a simple and inexpensive way to determine if your immigration plan is feasible.

2. Evaluate online (link to free assessment page) your chances of being selected by Québec

3. Submit an official immigration application

Your plan to immigrate is becoming more concrete and you would like to submit an official immigration application.

4. Prepare before departure to make your integration into Québec easier

You will soon be leaving for Québec where you will begin a new life and discover new horizons. While waiting to obtain your permanent resident visa, take the time to prepare yourself and take certain steps before leaving. This will make it that much easier for you to integrate into Québec life.

5. Take steps to integrate successfully into Québec

To make your immigration process as smooth as possible, find out about the steps to follow once you arrive in Québec as well as the services offered by the government and its partner organizations to facilitate your integration.

Q. What is the purpose of the list of areas of training?

This list helps to select candidates who have earned a diploma in an area of training that corresponds to the needs and requirements of the Québec job market. Note, however, that points awarded for an area of training, at the time of the review of your application, do not guarantee that you will find a job in your area of training once you are in Québec.

The diploma must have been awarded within the five years preceding your application for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ). Failing this, you must have practised for at least one year, within the five years preceding your application for a CSQ, an occupation directly related to the diploma obtained and for which you are being evaluated.

List of areas of training

Q. What are the prerequisites for immigrating to Québec as a worker?

To be selected as an immigrant worker, you must have:

•    at least one diploma that corresponds, in the Québec education system, to a Secondary School Diploma or a Diploma of Vocational Studies

•    acquired training and occupational skills that will facilitate your insertion into the job market

•    adequate knowledge of French. If in doubt, we strongly recommend that you check your level of French with a recognized organization. Knowledge of English is also an asset not to be overlooked. You can take courses or acquire more experience in order to upgrade your occupational or language skills.

Q. What are the timeframes and costs related to immigrating?

Processing times

The time required to process applications varies due to a number of factors (overall selection objectives by geographic pool and immigration category, volume of applications for a Québec Selection Certificate submitted from various territories, international context).

These processing times apply to applications for a Québec Selection Certificate only. They do not include those that apply to applications to the Government of Canada for permanent residence.

Information regarding processing times is updated regularly.

The costs associated with applications under the Quebec programs are as follows:

Principal Applicant   -  C$390

Spouse                    -  C$150

Each Dependent      -  C$150

The fees are subject to change at any time and they are non-refundable.

Q. Can I find out what my chances are of qualifying to immigrate to Québec?

Evaluation online (link to free assessment page) your chances of being selected by Québec.

In addition, go to the Quebec Skilled Workers (link to internal page) section for information about Immigrating to Quebec.

Q. Can I obtain information on how to search for a job in Québec?

Go to the Government of Quebec Web site’s Employment – Looking for and finding a job section for basic information on job search techniques and useful links to visit.

Q. Can I obtain information on regulated professions?

In Québec, the practice of some trades and professions is regulated. For example, the engineering and nursing professions are governed by professional orders. These organisations, whose mission is to protect the public, have the authority to set admission conditions and practice standards, evaluate skills and diplomas, and issue a certificate or permit to qualified candidates.

Other trades and professions are also subject to regulatory requirements with respect to their admission or practice. For instance, the trades of electrician, crane operator or gas worker are regulated by other regulatory bodies. This is also true for certain activities and disciplines in the financial sector, the teaching profession, and the heavy vehicle driver trade.

Check before you leave to see if your trade or profession is governed by a regulatory body or subject to regulation. This will give you a preliminary idea of the conditions you will have to meet to practice it in Québec and of the steps you will have to take in order to present your file to the organization. This preparation will speed up your entry into the job market.

Certain steps leading to the right to practise a regulated profession or trade can be undertaken in your country of residence prior to your departure for Québec. We encourage you to contact the regulatory body that governs the practice of the profession you plan to practise in Québec as soon as possible.

Posted on: 2009-07-24 08:56:03

*   What is the Provincial Nomination Program?

*   Which Provinces participate in the Provincial Nomination Program?

*   Is Provincial Nomination a requirement for Canadian Permanent Resident Visa?

*   Where does an application under the Provincial Nomination Program get submitted?

*   Does receiving a Provincial Nomination guarantee a Canada Immigration Visa?

Q. What is the Provincial Nomination Program?

The Provincial Nomination Program is an economically beneficial program both for the province who select international professionals and work force to aid in the economic growth and also to the professionals looking to settle and work in a particular province in Canada. This program includes most of the provinces of Canada barring a few.

Q. Which Provinces participate in the Provincial Nomination Program?

The following provinces participate in the Provincial Nomination Program: * Alberta * British Columbia * Manitoba * New Brunswick * Newfoundland and Labrador * Nova Scotia * Ontario * Prince Edward Island * Saskatchewan * Yukon

Q. Is Provincial Nomination a requirement for Canadian Permanent Resident Visa? 

No. This is only optional in case you want to settle in a particular province otherwise a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa can be obtained even without the Provincial Nomination.

Q. Where does an application under the Provincial Nomination Program get submitted?

An application under the Provincial Nomination Program is submitted to the appropriate provincial government office of the province applied under the program by the applicant.

Q.Does receiving a Provincial Nomination guarantee a Canada Immigration Visa? 

No. Citizenship and Immigration Canada must be satisfied that a Provincial Nominee meets statutory requirements - health, security and authenticity of documents - before issuing a Canada Immigration Visa.

Posted on: 2009-07-24 08:59:08

*   Who qualifies for a Canada Immigration Visa under the Family Sponsorship category?

*   Who can be included in the Sponsored person's application for a Canada Immigration Visa?

*   Who qualifies as a "Dependent Child"?

Q. Who qualifies for a Canada Immigration Visa under the Family Sponsorship category?

Immediate family of a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident Visa holder can be sponsored under this category. The Sponsored person(s) must be related to the Canadian Sponsor in one of the following ways: * Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner; or * Parent or grandparent; or * Dependent child; or * Orphaned, unmarried, and under 18 years of age brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild; or * Intended adopted child under 18 years of age; or * One other relative, if the sponsor has no relative listed above and no relatives who are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents.

Q. Who can be included in the Sponsored person's application for a Canada Immigration Visa?

Under the Family Sponsorhsip category, the following individuals can be included in the Sponsored person's application for a Canada Immigration Visa: 

• The spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner of the Sponsored person 


• The dependent children of the Sponsored person 


• The dependent children of the Sponsored person's spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner 


• The dependent children of the Sponsored person's dependent children 


• The dependent children of the Sponsored person's spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner's children

Q. Who qualifies as a "Dependent Child"?

For Family Sponsorship purposes, a dependent child means a child who is:

• Under 22 and unmarried on the date the application for sponsorship is submitted (and still unmarried on the date the child lands in Canada); or 


• Of any age or marital status and is a continuously enrolled full-time student, who is financially dependent on his or her parents since before the age of 22 (or since becoming a spouse or common-law partner, if this happened before 22); or 


• Is financially dependent on a parent since before the age of 22 because of a disability.

Posted on: 2009-07-21 22:57:36

*   Who can apply for a temporary work permit?

*   What are the conditions on a work permit?

*   Can a Canadian work permit holder sponsor immediate family to Canada?

*   Can an applicant willing to immigrate to Canada or a potential employer appeal the decision on a work permit application?

*   Why and When does an applicant require an Labor Market Opinion LMO letter for a temporary work permit?

Q. Who can apply for a temporary work permit?

A temporary work permit can be applied for by individuals looking to work in Canada for a set time period or have to visit Canada for a temporary for a temporary job.

Q. What are the conditions on a work permit?

Work permit includes the following conditions: - Where you will work - For whom will you work - Type of work - How long you will work These among other conditions are listed in the Regulation 185 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Q. Can a Canadian work permit holder sponsor immediate family to Canada?

No, this right is only granted to the Canadian Permanent Resident Visa holders. Temporary work permits have limited rights offered.

Q. Can an applicant willing to immigrate to Canada or a potential employer appeal the decision on a work permit application?

As the Canadian Immigration Policy, no applicant or potential employer can appeal against decisions pertaining to the temporary work permit applications. The applicant can reapply for a temporary Visa and a different Visa officer can examine the application.

Q. Why and When does an applicant require an Labor Market Opinion LMO letter for a temporary work permit?

Normally, Work Permits will only be granted by Canadian immigration authorities if supported by a positive "Labour Market Opinion" (LMO) letter issued by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), indicating that the proposed employment will not adversely affect Canadian workers. However, certain occupations are considered "under pressure" and some provinces have made arrangements to ease the entry of workers in these occupations.

Posted on: 2009-07-21 22:58:10

For more information about Immigrating to Canada, please visit the following FAQ sections detailed in the preceeding sections:

- Federal Business Class FAQ

- Quebec Business Class FAQ

- Federal Skilled Workers FAQ

- Quebec Skilled Workers FAQ

- Provincial Nominee Program FAQ

- Family Sponsorship FAQ

-Temporary Work Permits FAQ



Contact Us

Mercan has a team of over 90 highly experienced staff members including business consultants, immigration lawyers, accountants, and professional support staff who are readily available to assist you with your Immigration inquiries. If your questions are not answered in the FAQ sections, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We invite you to fill out our Free Evaluation form.

Remember, the sooner you start the process, the sooner you can succeed.

Posted on: 2009-07-27 06:56:10