Top 5 Ways Investors Can Immigrate to Canada in 2019 Jun 7, 2019

Canada is welcoming foreign investors in 2019, with more investor immigration options available than ever before. While Quebec’s immigrant investor program continues to attract criticism, lambasted by media and politicians as a cash-for-visas scheme, these five emerging alternative investor visa programs have been gaining popularity.

If your family is seeking long-term residency in Canada, you’ll have a variety of choices when it comes to leveraging your wealth for Canadian investor visa status. Ready to move to Canada but don’t have enough points under Express Entry? These investment visa options can open the door to Canadian work permits and visa status for the entire family.

#5 – Business Takeover Work Permit

Yes, you really can “buy an LMIA job” (the “Labor Market Impact Assessment” that gives preferential and fast-track access to Permanent Residence programs), using an investment-based LMIA job offer. Choose from thousands of small businesses for sale across Canada, and invest anywhere between $50,000 and $1 Million. You’ll receive an investor LMIA and self-employed work permit for yourself, an open work permit for your spouse, and study permits for the children.

The purchase of an existing business using a self-employed LMIA strategy offers a pathway to long-term immigration status in Canada. A small business anywhere in Canada can add 50 to 200 bonus points towards your Express Entry (Permanent Residency) Application. This option works particularly well for franchise businesses, due to the long-term support offered by the parent franchise. This program is open to all nationalities.

#4- Start-Up Business Investor Visa

The Owner-Operator LMIA offers rapid processing of your work permit to enter Canada and start-up your own company from scratch. We recommend clients pursue this LMIA program instead of the more popular “Start-Up Visa Program”. The start-up business LMIA has far fewer rules and restrictions than it’s more popular counterpart. Under a start-up LMIA work permit, there is no need to gain the support or endorsement of Angel Investors or an incubator. Simply submit a business plan and evidence of the funds to start operations, and receive an LMIA-based work permit plus up to 200 points for your Express Entry application. This program is open to all nationalities.

#3- Open a Canadian Branch (Intracompany Transfer)

Among the most popular tools to bring foreign investors to Canada, the Intracompany Transfer visa program allows foreign companies to open a branch office in Canada. You may relocate the owners and top executives from your foreign business to a new branch office in Canada. Critical executives in your organization receive long-term work permits, and the spouse and children of workers also qualify for work permits and study permits. In addition to facilitating residency in Canada, opening a Canadian branch for your foreign company can be highly profitable and increase the status and prestige of your organization. Clients have reported excellent ancillary benefits such as having Canadian banking facilities and distribution access to the United States market. A work permit to operate your Canadian branch can be renewed for many years and dependent spouse and children also receive status in Canada.

#2- International Treaty Investor Visa Programs

Over two dozen nationalities have access to a prized and secretive investor immigration program which operates largely away from public view. With no minimum financial investment, and minimal ongoing compliance rules, this is our go-to program for select nationalities. CItizens from the European Union, Mexico, USA, Vietnam, Korea, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia, and Chile are all eligible to move to Canada to open virtually any kind of business. You’ll receive authorization to live in Canada and operate your business, as your spouse gains Canadian work experience. This incredible program is under-utilized and has no yearly quota.

#1 – Provincial Nomination Investment Visa Programs

Provincial Nomination investment program continue to be the preferred pathway for investors to migrate to Canada. With investment minimums from just $150,000CAD, there are provincial nomination programs across Canada which offered a structured immigration process, from work permit to permanent residency for the entire family. While these programs are far slower than the first four options, the ultimate goal of Canadian Citizenship by investment has a more predictable timeline.

For more information about Ontario PNP Investor Work Permit, CLICK HERE.