There isn’t a specific program to buy Canadian Citizenship like other countries. Instead, Canada offers a variety of business immigration streams that can be of interest to investors and entrepreneurs looking to settle there and finally make them eligible for permanent residency and citizenship.
Choosing the right business immigration program, federal or provincial, which is most suitable for your business and your background will play a significant role in the success of your immigration journey to get your citizenship.This page explains the minimum investment amount, eligibility, advantages and disadvantages, how to apply, and the processing time for the most famous Canada Investor Visa programs, leading you to Canadian permanent residency and citizenship.
Investment Amount To Buy Canadian Citizenship
The investment amount to buy Canadian citizenship may vary but typically ranges from $200,000 to $400,000, depending on the province, location, and the nature of the business. The Investor Visa program is not the right fit for entrepreneurs who need access to low capital to invest in their business venture in Canada.
In our experience, companies must be able to demonstrate solid gross sales exceeding $200,000 per year and access to liquid funds for at least $100,000 to cover the first year’s operational costs. In addition to the initial investment capital, applicants should demonstrate that they have access to additional funds or assets to support the business in Canada if it does not reach self-sufficiency by the end of year 1.
Minimum Requirements for Buying Canadian Citizenship
Eligibility to buy Canadian citizenship is typically based on specific criteria established by the respective business immigration programs, but most require the following:
- Investment: between $200,000 and $400,000 into your Canadian business.
- Net Worth: Some programs require minimum net worth requirements to demonstrate your ability to invest in and sustain a business in Canada.
- Business Experience: have relevant business management skills or ownership experience to build a business in Canada.
- Have A Detailed Business Plan for a Qualifying Business
- Intention: Genuine intention to operate a business in Canada.
- Language Proficiency: Meet the Minimum Language Requirements (CLB 4-5)
- Job Creation: Some programs require job creation for Canadian citizens or permanent residents through your business.
- Possess a Valid Letter of Support from an Organization (In case of SUV) or Provincial government (In case of a PNP entrepreneur immigration program)
Advantages Of Canadian citizenship
- High Quality of Life
- Strong fastest-growing Economy
- Access to Global Markets
- Diverse and Inclusive Society
- Free Education and Healthcare
- Natural Beauty
- Safety and Security
- Family Sponsorship
- Global Mobility
Disadvantages Of Canadian citienship
- High Investment Requirements
- Competitive Selection Process
- Business Risk
- Job Creation Obligations
- Stringent Eligibility Criteria
- Conditional Permanent Residency
- Immigration Processing Times
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Limited Program Availability
- Changing Immigration Policies
How To Get A Canadian Citizenship?
- Determine Your Eligibility
- Choose the Right Program
- Prepare Documentation
- Invest or Start a Business
- Submit Your Application
- Wait for Processing
- Business Establishment
- Comply with Conditions
- Apply for Permanent Residency
- Reside in Canada (3 years out of 5)
- Apply for Canadian Citizenship (Optional)
Alternatives to Buying Canadian Citizenship
Your unique situation, including your prior business experience, financial resources, and long-term objectives, will determine the right Canadian business visa program for you. The following are some Main Canada investor visa programs:
Business Visitor Visa
This Business Visitor Visa is designed for people who want to travel to Canada temporarily for business-related reasons, such as to explore opportunities to start or expand their business there, invest in a business, strengthen business ties, offer or receive training or engage in international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labour market.
They don’t need a work permit to come to Canada. Business visitors must prove that their primary source of income and principal business place is outside Canada. Business visitors and businesspeople are not the same. Businesspeople come to do work in Canada under a free trade agreement.
C11 Work Permit Canada (Entrepreneur Visa)
The C11 work permit Entrepreneur Stream is perfect for foreign entrepreneurs who want to invest in an existing Canadian business or start a new one. First, the entrepreneur would receive a temporary work permit to operate their business in Canada. Then, after one year of operating the business in Canada, you will become eligible for permanent residency.
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Intra Company Transfer Canada (ICT Work Permit – C12 Work permit)
The Intra Company Transfer Canadais ideal for foreign companies with a Canadian office or a subsidiary or looking to expand their operations in Canada. This business immigration program allows you to transfer employees from your foreign office to your Canadian office. These employees would be issued a temporary work permit. Depending on the employment role, the foreign national may be eligible to receive 50 or 200 additional points for an arranged employment (job offer) from their own business in Canada. After one year of full-time employment for the Canadian company, the foreign national may become eligible to immigrate through Express Entry program.
Start-Up Visa Canada (SUV)
Under Canada StartUp Visa program, up to 5 founding partners (A minimum of 10% of ownership for each partner is required) of an innovative foreign company could be eligible for an open work permit for up to 3 years. Additionally, the applicants can also become eligible for permanent residency in Canada. The SUV program requires a Letter of Support or investment commitment from one of the Designated Organizations in Canada.
Provincial Investor Immigration Programs (PNP)
Many provinces and territories in Canada have business entrepreneur immigration programs that may require different investment amounts. These programs are often tailored to attract entrepreneurs and investors to specific regions to boost their economy.
The Government of Canada sends out a certain number of invitations chosen from the pool of PNP applicants each year. Successful applicants may eventually be eligible for Canadian citizenship after receiving their permanent residence.
Canada business visa processing time
The processing time must be standard for only some investor visas. It can vary depending on several factors, including the program you have chosen, the country you are applying from, the volume of visa applications, securing a commitment certificate (SUV) and a letter of support (PNP) and the specific procedures of the Canadian embassy handling your application. Generally, processing times can range from a few weeks to several years, depending on the investor visa program.
Criteria | Business visitor visa | C11 Work Permit | ICT Work Permit | PNP Entrepreneur (PR) | Startup visa Canada(PR) |
Timeframes for Relocation (Work permit) | Usually 3-6 months (Visitor Visa) | Usually 3-6 months | Usually 3-6 months | Usually 3-6 months (After obtaining a letter of support) | Usually 3-6 months (After obtaining a letter of support) |
Timeframe for Permanent Residence (PR) | Depends on which PR programs you are applying for | Using Express Entry pathway after 1 year: 8 months -1 year (2+ years in total) | Using Express Entry pathway after 1 year: 8 months -1 year (2+ years in total) | 2- 4 years | Current processing time: 3+ years |
Conclusion
The Canada Investor Visaprovides foreign entrepreneurs with a valuable opportunity to buy or establish businesses in Canada while working towards permanent residency and contributing to the country’s economic growth and innovation ecosystem. Meeting eligibility requirements and successfully navigating the application process are essential steps for entrepreneurs to take advantage of these programs.
How Can Arnika Visa Help With Citizenship Application?
Would you like to apply for aCanada Cotizenship by Investment? In that case, Arnika Visa Immigration Legal Services is a reliable center that will guide and support you throughout the immigration process to Canada, including getting a work permit and permanent residency.
Our recommendations, advice, and help will support your visa application procedure.Our RCICandhis trained expert teamare skilled at helping customers with visa applications. We will carefully review, draft, and complete Your visa application paperwork. We provide you with the following:
- Detailed advice on improving your chances of getting a Canada visa.
- Ensure you provide the IRCC visa officer with financial information to reassure them that you have the resources necessary to go to Canada, including that of your designated organization.
- We will review your travel history and supporting documentation to decide how to present your visa application and what to emphasize when you submit it.
If you follow our guidelines, you will have a greater chance of getting your visa approved than if you applied for it independently. The first step in learning how the RCIC can assist you is to fill out theonline self-assessment form, which asks for details about your career, education, and personal history.