Those who are interested in establishing themselves in Canada and who have business experience may qualify for immigration as business immigrants. There are three categories of business immigrants: Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Persons.1 The eligibility requirements under each of these categories are discussed in more detail below.

6:1 THE INVESTOR CATEGORY

In order to qualify for immigration under this particular category, you must:

• be an ‘Investor’ (as defined below);
• make a prescribed investment; and
• obtain at least the pass mark under the points assessment.

The issues of qualifying as an ‘Investor’ and that of the prescribed investment are covered immediately below. The topic of the points assessment is discussed in more detail in section 6:4.

6:1.1 Definition of Investor

An Investor is a person who satisfies the following conditions:

• a.has business experience (see below for details regarding this requirement);
• b.has a legally obtained net worth2 of at least CDN $800,000; and
• c.indicates in writing to an officer that they intend to make or have made an investment.

Business experience in respect of an Investor means:

• i.the management of a qualifying business3 and the control

• a.that the percentage of equity multiplied by the number of full time job equivalents is equal to or greater than two full-time job equivalents per year;
• b.that the percentage of equity multiplied by the total annual sales is equal to or greater than CDN$500,000;
• c.that the percentage of equity multiplied by the net income (net income in respect of a qualifying business or a qualifying Canadian business means the after tax profit or loss of the business plus remuneration by the business to a foreign national and their spouse or common-law partner) in the year is equal to or greater than CDN$50,000; and
• d.that the percentage of equity multiplied by the net assets (net assets in respect of a qualifying business or a qualifying Canadian business, means the assets of the business, minus the liabilities of the business, plus shareholder loans made to the business by a foreign national and their spouse or common-law partner) at the end of the year is equal to or greater than CDN$125,000. of a percentage of equity4 of the qualifying business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made in respect of the application, or ii the management of at least five full-time job equivalents5 per year in a business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made in respect of the application.