When it comes to quality of life, best countries where to raise a child, best country where to live and work, safest country, best financial system, Canada stands in the top five year after year. No wonder Canada regularly has 3 cities in the top 10 best cities to live worldwide.

​

In 1986, Canada was one of the first countries to launch what has become today a global trend: permanent residency by investment. The province of Quebec was able to launch its own Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) the same year, under an agreement with the federal government which grants the province jurisdiction to select immigrants, while the federal government retains jurisdiction to grant permanent residence in Canada.  Although the federal program closed in 2014, the province of Quebec still continues with its QIIP.

​

There are several types of Entrepreneur program. Each have similarities and differences. It's a very dynamic area and each program can close and open frequently. They also change their regulations often, so it's best to get the general information about the investors and see what program is best suited for them, if any. 

 

Here is a general look at the minimum requirement of candidates that could qualify:

• Minimum asset is $600,000 CAD - This includes property, cash in the bank and shares/stocks

• Minimum investment of $200,000 CAD

• Language: All programs require at least 4 in General IELTS. 

Processing time: around 3 years

​

 

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP):

​

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is a two-step process: Applicants apply for

a Certificate of Selection from the Province of Quebec, and then proceed to Federal government for medical and police clearance before getting the Canada permanent residence.  They have to meet the following requirement:

·   have a net worth of at least 2,000,000 CAD, obtained legally;

·   have at least two years of management experience acquired in the 5 years preceding their application;

·   intend to settle in Quebec and sign an agreement to make a passive investment of 1.2M CAD with a financial intermediary authorized by the Quebec Government.

​

Once selected by Quebec, applicants are asked to transfer the investment funds, following which they are issued a Selection Certificate.  The investment is guaranteed by the Quebec government, and full amount will be reimbursed, interest free, at the end of 5 years.  Financing options are available to investors and obviously, this has an impact on the amount of funds to be reimbursed: “The possibility to make the investment after being selected, the Government guarantee on the investment, and the possibility to finance this investment at a fraction of the 1.2Mil are three (3) huge advantages over similar programs, such as the US EB5”, says Julien Tétrault, President of JTH Lawyers Inc.

Then begins the second step of the process: applying to the Canadian federal immigration authorities for permanent residence in Canada.  Permanent residence will be granted if the applicants meet the health and safety requirements of Canada.  In recent years, the government of Canada has been under pressure to review the conditions related to medical inadmissibility. This resulted in a reform announced last May 2018 that will make it easier for people to be admissible under Canada’s health regulations, including people whose medical condition is managed primarily with prescription drugs.

​

The Canadian government has also made some changes to the definition of dependent children, thereby including children who are less than 22 years old and are neither married nor in a common law relationship. They do not have to be students. Children over 22 are admissible only if they have depended primarily on their parents’ financial support since before the age of 22 because of a physical or mental condition.

Since 1986, tens of thousands of families from all over the world have chosen the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program to become permanent residents of Canada, a pathway towards Canadian citizenship. Quebec is an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows”.  The province has several national parks and a multitude of outdoor activities all year round.  But it is also a bustling province offering a safe environment, a great education system, public medical insurance, striving diversified economy as well as a rich and diverse cultural life with clothes, music, literature, theatre, food – Quebecers’ favourite! – from across the globe.

Interested investors can participate in a free 3hr session with Investissement Quebec to learn more about Quebec, its education system (free until college, then heavily subsidized), universal health care system, economy, real estate, tax, etc.

For the 5th year, Quebec has maintained a quota system limiting the intake of new applications to 1,900 per year, including a maximum of 65% for Chinese applicants. “The quota system was imposed to curb the high demand for this program, but it also has increased the quality of files that are now being submitted. I am honoured that thanks to our 15+ years experience in QIIP, several Canadian financial institutions have asked us to select the best possible files to fill their quotas”, says Julien Tétrault.

 

The QIIP is the only passive investment program in Canada.   Other provinces have immigration programs aimed at attracting business men and women but they require active participation in the daily management of a business located in the province, whether it be an existing business acquired in whole or in part, or a new business created.

​

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP):

​

For instance, the Manitoba Business Investor Stream wishes to attract qualified international business investors and entrepreneurs. Candidates submit an initial Expression of Interest explaining their background, their abilities and their plans.  There are two options: (1) the Entrepreneur Pathway for people who wish to open a business or invest in an existing business in Manitoba; (2) the Farm Investor Pathway for people interested in operating a farm in rural Manitoba.

In both cases, the investors will sign a Business Performance Agreement stating the conditions they have to meet within the first two years of their arrival in Canada. They will receive a temporary work permit, and once the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement have been met – within 6 to 18 month –, they will be nominated for permanent residence in Canada.

 

Carol Hilling & Julien Tétrault, President, Ex-Board Member AHQ (Quebec Lawyers Abroad), Founder and ex-Section Head of the AHQ-Immigrant Investor Section

​

* Manitoba MPNP

                  Young Farmer        farming experience of 3 years

                                                  net worth   $350,000                                                         $ 150,000                            stay on farm

 

                   Entrepreneur        age : no limit                                                        urban area  $ 250,000                   7 days visit  mandatory.  

                                                  experiences of 3 years (owner/manager)         rural area $ 150,000                      english basic(no  IELTS)  

                                                  personal net Worth +$500,000                                                                                   online process 

​

             *         *         *         *

​

The Province of Quebec offers a variety of advantages: great quality of life, quality universal education and health care systems, a vibrant and diversified economy, a mix of cultures where newcomers can feel at home. It also offers an efficient and accessible immigration program for investors that is not affected by the moratorium on the Federal Immigrant Investor Program.

 

On April 1st 2017, new rules were adopted regarding applications for a Quebec Selection Certificate under the Investor Program.  They limit the number of applications to 1900 including 1330 for Chinese applicants.  However, applicants who demonstrate, by means of a test recognized by the Quebec immigration authorities, that they have an advanced intermediate knowledge of French, are not subject to this maximum limit of applications.

 

The intake dates for applications submitted under the Investor Program are assumed to be from May 29th 2017 until maximum quota is met, or February 23rd, 2018 at the latest. Applicants who can demonstrate an advanced intermediate knowledge of French can assume to submit their file anytime until March 31st 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

In order to qualify you must:

 

1. Have a minimum net worth of $1,600,000 obtained legally, alone or with your accompanying spouse;

​

2. Have at least two (2) years of management experience* in the last 5 years;

Management Experience may have been acquired in a legal farming, commercial or industrial business, or in a legal professional business where the staff, excluding the investor, occupies at least the equivalent of two full-time jobs, or for an international agency or a government or one of its departments or agencies.

 

The Investor must have at least two years of experience within the last five years in duties related to the planning, management and control of financial resources and of human or material resources. The experience does not include experience acquired in the context of an apprenticeship, training or specialization process attested to by a diploma.

​

3. Intend to settle in Quebec and sign an agreement to invest $800,000 with a broker or trust company authorized to participate in the Investor Program.

Once selected by the Province of Quebec, you may apply to the federal immigration authorities for a permanent resident visa, which will be issued if you pass a medical exam and criminal background check.

​

If you assume being eligible to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, contact us. 

​

                            _____________________________________________________________________________

​

Investor programs:

​

Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program:

​

Canada welcomes successful business people and international investors with the skills and abilities needed to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate into Canadian society. Investors seeking new opportunities and challenges may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program. This program is designed to encourage and facilitate the admission of such people to Canada.

Who can qualify?

​

* Personal net worth

 

Investors must have a personal net worth of CDN $10 million or more. The net worth must have been acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities. For example, these could include:

• income or capital gains acquired through the ownership or management of commercial, for-profit entities

• funds acquired through private sector activities, such as public equity investments or private equity placements

Note that personal net worth acquired through inheritance or in the value of applicant’s primary residence does not count, as these are not considered “business or investment activities” for the purpose of this program.

Proof of personal net worth – Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires applicants whose applications can be considered for the second stage review to obtain a due diligence report at their expense from one of the following designated service providers:

​

• BDO USA, LLP

• Deloitte Forensic Inc.

• Ernest Young

• KPMG LLP

• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP

• Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.

 

The due diligence report is an independent examination and validation of the applicant’s past business or investment experience, source of funds and personal net worth.

​

* Non-guaranteed investment in a venture capital fund

 

The applicant must be willing and able to make an at-risk investment (non-guaranteed) of CDN $2 million in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Fund. The applicant is required to enter into an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) committing a sum of CDN $2 million to the IIVC Fund for approximately 15 years.

As with any venture capital investment, the applicant could receive proceeds over time or at the end of the investment term. Proceeds will depend on the fund’s performance and will be based on its gains or losses, including expenses and fees incurred to manage it.

​