Business immigration to Canada in 2021
Canada intends to accept 401,000 immigrants in 2021. However, what is the composition of those immigrants? Is business immigration to Canada in 2021 an option? Of course, continue reading to know your options.
Federal business immigration in 2021
Federal immigration is for those people who wish to settle anywhere in Canada but Quebec. In other words, if you immigrate federally, you may pick Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax, Saskatoon, etc., as your destination. Of course, the federal government of Canada reviews federal immigration applications from scratch. Consequently, as a business immigration applicant in 2021, you are in the hands of IRCC from the beginning to the end.
What are the federal business immigration options in 2021?
Federal business immigration options fall under Economic Immigration. However, there are two major options available in 2021:
- Self-employed: This option is available to self-employed or world-class professionals in athletics or cultural activities. Of course, you must meet the strict criteria. Moreover, consider the language, net worth and income expectations. Also, if your experience belongs to a long time ago, you may not qualify.
- Start-up visa: You may pick this option if you have an innovative idea. However, a designated organization must support your proposal.
Unfortunately, there are no federal immigration options for investors. Consequently, forget about passive investments for immigration.
Immigration targets in 2021 for business people
According to the Minister’s report to the Parliament, Canada accepted 1,336 business immigrants in 2019. Of course, this number covers all self-employed and start-up applicants and their family members. Consequently, if we assume, each application had three applicants (i.e. two parents and a dependent child), IRCC approved about 446 business immigration applications in 2019. Nonetheless, this number reflects my estimate.
IRCC intends to accept between 153,600 to 208,500 economic applicants in 2021. However, only 1,000 of those applicants will be business immigrants. Consequently, the figure is give-or-take the same as in 2019. Not much room for excitement, eh?
Provincial business immigration in 2021
As a business person, you may target a specific province or territory in Canada. Therefore, you will eventually settle in that province. Here are the projections for 2021.
- Ontario Entrepreneur Stream Minimum Requirements
- Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream
- Direct permanent residence
- Work-permit first
- Quebec options
- Provinces that do not support business immigration
Direct permanent residence (PR) for PNP business immigration in 2021
Direct PR means you follow this process:
- Submit your Expression of Interest to the province.
- If your proposal is convincing, they invite you to apply.
- You submit a complete package (forms and documents).
- If convincing, they will ask you for a good-faith deposit.
- Upon posting the deposit and signing a performance agreement, the province will issue you a Certificate of Nomination.
- You may now apply for PR via IRCC. Of course, you must submit a complete set of forms and documents.
- Upon approval, you may land in Canada and become a permanent resident of Canada.
Of course, if you do not fulfill your performance agreement’s requirements, you will lose your good-faith deposit. Does this option seem reasonable to you? Well, only the following province accepts business immigration applications this way:
However, New Brunswick could stop accepting these types of applications at any time. Also, other provinces may decide to switch to this option in the future. Unfortunately, the latter is unlikely.
Work permit stream for provincial business immigration in 2021
The work permit stream means you follow the below process. However, the actual process for each province could vary.
- Submit your Expression of Interest to the province.
- If your proposal is convincing, they invite you to apply.
- You submit a complete package (forms and documents).
- If convincing, they will issue a letter in support of your work permit application.
- You apply for a work permit to IRCC.
- If they approve your work permit, you move to Canada as a worker. Of course, your spouse could receive an open work permit. Also, your minor children could study in Canada.
- If you fulfil your promises to the province in the allotted timeline, they will issue a nomination certificate. Of course, the timeline could vary, but it is usually between 20 and 24 months.
- You may now apply for PR to IRCC.
- Upon approval, you become a permanent resident of Canada.
The following provinces and territories use this approach. Moreover, I have added each province’s major cities’ names next to them for your convenience.
- British Columbia – Vancouver, Victoria
- Saskatchewan – Saskatoon, Regina
- Manitoba – Winnipeg
- Ontario – Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor
- Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown
- Nova Scotia – Halifax
- Newfoundland and Labrador – St. John’s
- Yukon – Whitehorse
- Northwest Territories – Yellowknife
Needless to say, the policies and procedures could change at any time. However, this list reflects your potential business immigration to these provinces in 2021. Moreover, we have a special calculator for the ONIP program.
Quebec options for business immigration in 2021
The province of Quebec offers three immigration options to business people in 2021.
I encourage you to click any of the links to acquaint yourself with each program. However, I personally do not deal with the Quebec options.
Provinces that do not support business immigration
The following Canadian jurisdictions do not offer immigration options for business people in 2021. Of course, they may later change their policy in this regard. Consequently, sign up for our newsletter, and we will update you if anything changes.
- Alberta
- Nunavut (no PNP options at all)
Of course, the first two provinces offer other immigration options in 2021.
Let us help!
If you intend to immigrate to Canada as a business person in 2021, consider contacting us. However, you may, alternatively, fill out our assessment form. Of course, we also help business people with work permit options.
Of course, you may click here to explore other options.
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If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.
Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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