Business Immigration is a very popular term. People search for it really a lot on Google and other search engines. Probably you were exploring “business immigration” options for your Canadian immigration dream.
We think that this is the time to shed some light on what really is behind business immigration to Canada.
The Federal government of Canada is in charge of the Canadian immigration policies, regulations and programs. The Federal government makes the final decision about admission of foreign nationals into Canada under various immigration statuses as prescribed by applicable regulations.
As you probably know, the Canadian provinces have their own avenues of immigrating to Canada – Provincial Nominee Programs (and a few other names). The provinces are allowed to select candidates that meet their economic demands. In times, provinces have more flexibility and may be more attractive to potential immigrants.
Federal and Provincial Immigration programs have business immigration paths.
Federal Immigration Options
The Immigration, Refugees Protections Act and Regulations define “business immigration” as two possible immigration programs:
- Self-employed Persons
- Start-up Visa
In short, Self-employed Persons is a direct path towards permanent residence in Canada for self-employed athletes and individuals that specialize in artistic and cultural fields and
meet the program’s requirements.
Jonathan’s Self-Employed Story
Jonathan is an Israeli photographer. He is a relatively well-known photographer. He participated at international events, his works were published in internationally recognized and well-known magazines such as National Geographic and Popular Science. He was never a celebrity or a world-class artist but to our discretion, he met the requirements of the program. Jonathan had to score at least 35 points out of 100 maximum available points as per the following points grid:
Selection Criteria | Maximum Points |
Education | 25 |
Experience | 35 |
Age | 10 |
Ability in English and/or French | 24 |
Adaptability | 6 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Education | Maximum 25 points |
You have a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 25 points |
You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 22 points |
You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 20 points |
You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 20 points |
You have a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 15 points |
You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. | 12 points |
You completed high school. | 5 points |
Relevant experience must have been obtained in the period that begins five years before you sign your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.
Two years of relevant experience | 20 |
Three years of relevant experience | 25 |
Four years of relevant experience | 30 |
Five years of relevant experience | 35 |
You will be awarded selection points based on your age at the time when the visa office receives your application.
Age | Points |
16 or under | 0 |
17 | 2 |
18 | 4 |
19 | 6 |
20 | 8 |
21-49 | 10 |
50 | 8 |
51 | 6 |
52 | 4 |
53 | 2 |
54+ | 0 |
Your proficiency in English or French is one of the 5 selection factors. You’ll be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You’ll be given points based on your ability to:
- listen
- speak
- read and
- write
If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you’re more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.
You must prove the level of language proficiency you claim on your application if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.
Designated language testing agencies
You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following designated agencies.
English
IELTS has 2 options for the reading and writing tests:
- General Training
- Academic
You must take the General Training option.
CELPIP has two tests:
- CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G)
- CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A)
You must take the CELPIP-G test.
French
You must submit results from the following TEF Canada tests as proof of your French language proficiency:
- compréhension écrite
- compréhension orale
- expression écrite
- expression orale
- TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français (French only)
You must submit results from these TCF Canada tests as proof of your French language skills:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
You can use language test results for up to two years after the date you take your test, but the test results must be valid when you submit your application.
Description of each level of proficiency
Proficiency Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
HIGH: You can communicate effectively in most social and work situations. | Speaking: High | Listening: High | Reading: High | Writing: High |
MODERATE: You can communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations. | Speaking: Moderate | Listening: Moderate | Reading: Moderate | Writing: Moderate |
BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics, but with some difficulty. | Speaking: Basic | Listening: Basic | Reading: Basic | Writing: Basic |
NO: You do not meet the above criteria for basic proficiency. | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level | Does not meet Basic Level |
A maximum of 6 points for adaptability can be earned by any combination of the following elements.
Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
| 3–5 |
Previous work in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit. | 5 |
Previous study in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner have completed a program of full-time study of at least two years’ duration at a post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old and with a valid study permit.There’s no need to have obtained a degree or diploma for these two years of study to earn these points. | 5 |
Relatives in Canada You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. | 5 |