Citizenship and Immigration Canada established the Immigrant Investor Program to promote economic development and employment in Canada by attracting people with capital, business acumen and/or solid managerial skills for business immigration to Canada.
This Program will be close until July 1, 2012.
The Federal Immigrant Investor Program (also known as the Federal Investor Category of the Business Class) seeks to attract experienced businesspersons and their capital to Canada. This category is ideal for those who want to immigrate to Canada but who do not wish to be obligated to engage in any type of business/employment activity upon their arrival. The ever-increasing popularity of the Immigrant Investor Program among new immigrants to Canada is self-evident.
As an Immigrant Investor, you and your immediate family members can attain Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visas by investing CAD$800,000 for five years under the Federal Investor Program (this category is designed for applicants intending to reside anywhere in Canada, except Quebec). Your investment is managed by CIC and the program is guaranteed by the Government assuring that your CAD$800,000 will be reimbursed in full, without interest, at the end of five years.
The table below summarizes the eligibility requirements for the Federal Immigrant Investor Program.
| Requirements | Federal Program |
| Intended destination | Any province in Canada, except Quebec |
| Minimum net asset | Have legally acquired a minimum of CAD$1.6 million in net assets, excluding the amounts received by donation less than six months before the date on which the application was filed, alone or with the help of their spouse or common-law partner in the event that the spouse or common-law partner is accompanying. |
| Business and/or Management Experience | Management and ownership of a qualifying business, as defined under the Regulations, OR Management of 5 employees in a business |
| Investment | CAD $800,000 for 5 years, Government guaranteed 0% interest OR up to CAD $220,000 one-time fee without return |
When making your investment under this program, you can choose one of the two options below:
- Investment of CAD $800,000 of your own funds: In order to meet the investment requirement, you may choose to make a government-guaranteed investment equivalent to CAD $800,000 of your own funds with the Government of Canada. These funds are then kept with the government for a period of five years, after which they are returned to you in full with 0% interest; OR
- Payment of a financing fee: Instead of depositing CAD$800,000, you may choose to pay a one-time financing fee (Between CAD 180,000 to CAD 220,000 depends on the intrest rate) to a government-approved financial institution. This fee will not be reimbursed to you. Then it will become the responsibility of the financial institution to make the CAD$800,000 investment with the government on your behalf.
For more information on Canada Business Immigration, see our Business Immigration FAQ.