Business immigrants must apply at one of nine Business Immigration Centres -- Beijing, Berlin, Buffalo, Damascus, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Seoul and Singapore.

Features of the Immigrant Investor Program

• Investors are not required to start a business in Canada.
• Investments are fully guaranteed by the provinces and territories who participate in the program.
• The provinces and territories control the investment during the five-year lock-in period.
• No immigration terms and conditions are imposed upon admission.

Entrepreneurs must have the intention and ability to establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada that will contribute significantly to the economy and create jobs. The business must employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident other than the entrepreneur and his or her dependants. The entrepreneur must be actively involved in managing the business. No minimum net worth is required but applicants in this category must prove that they have enough capital to establish a business, cover its short-term operating costs and support their dependants.

Entrepreneurs and their dependants are admitted to Canada on the condition that they establish and actively manage a business in Canada within two years of arrival. Immigration officials in Canada monitor the entrepreneur's progress and can help by referring them to provincial officials or other agencies who assist in business activities.

Features of the Entrepreneur Program

• There is no minimum net worth requirement. The amount required is dependent on the type of business that the entrepreneur plans to establish or purchase in Canada. The amount must be sufficient to allow the entrepreneur to start the business and cover the costs of establishing in Canada.
• The entrepreneur must actively manage the business, and the business must create employment opportunities for others.
• The business must make a significant contribution to the economy.
• All family members are admitted under the same terms and conditions as the principal applicant. The terms and conditions are removed once the entrepreneur sets up a significant business venture, hires at least one employee, and is actively involved in managing the business.

Self-employed applicants must be able to establish or buy a business in Canada which will provide employment for themselves and will make an economic or cultural contribution to Canada.

Business immigrants are encouraged to visit Canada to explore opportunities and gather first-hand knowledge about doing business in Canada.

Self-employed immigrants must establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep them employed and contribute significantly to Canada's economy or cultural or artistic life (for example, professional athletes, artists, actors, farmers or writers).

Features of the Self-employed Program

• No immigration terms and conditions are imposed requiring the applicant to set up his or her business.
• Self-employed immigrants must have the ability to establish a business that will at a minimum create an employment opportunity for themselves which will make a significant contribution to the economy or to Canada's artistic or cultural life.

To be selected as business immigrants, applicants must meet the selection criteria of the business immigration category in which they are applying. The applicant is then assessed against a modified selection system.

Entrepreneurs and investors are assessed against seven of the nine independent immigrant selection criteria. They must obtain a minimum of 25 points.

Self-employed applicants are assessed on eight of the nine independent immigrant selection criteria, and require a minimum of 70 points, the same as other independent applicants. However, they receive a bonus of 30 points for meeting the self-employed definition.

The selection factors and maximum points allocated are indicated below.

Entrepreneurs require enough money, transferable to Canada, to start a business in Canada. The system is flexible so that applicants who do not have a comparatively high net worth may qualify. They must show by their qualifications, experience and business plans that they intend and are able to establish a business. This business must bring significant economic benefits to Canada. The ability to meet this test, not the amount of money you have, is the determining factor.