The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy.

Business immigrants are expected to make a $400,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants:

Investors
The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest $400,000 into Canada's economy.

Investors must:
1. Show that they have business experience
2. Have a minimum net worth of $800,000 that was obtained legally and
3. Make a $400,000 investment.

The investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.

The government will return your $400,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.

Entrepreneur
You must have managed a qualifying business and have had control of a percentage of equity of the qualifying business for at least two years in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

Your business must not be operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income, such as interest, dividends or capital gains.

You must be able to satisfy a visa officer that the fair market value of all your assets and the assets of your spouse or common-law partner were obtained legally. Your assets must exceed the fair market value of all your liabilities and the liabilities of your spouse or common-law partner by at least $300,000.

You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to confirm both your income sources and your net worth.

You will be assessed based on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability.

You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks.

Self-employed persons
The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:
1. Relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
2. Experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.