Net Worth Immigration Canada
Samara is a successful business-woman from Angola. While she is quite happy with her current status, Samara intends to move to Canada. Of course, she believes the Canadian lifestyle is one of the best in the world. Nonetheless, Samara is aware that investing in Canada is a serious business. Therefore, she needs a considerable net worth for immigration to Canada. However, Samara is not quite sure what constitutes net worth for this purpose.
One of the options to immigrate to Canada is business immigration. For example, you could migrate to Canada under specific provincial or federal programs. Here are just some examples:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Stream
- Immigration to New Brunswick – Entrepreneurial Stream
- Federal Self-employed program
- Start-up Visa Immigration
- Two-Stage Immigration for Self-employed and Entrepreneurs
Of course, these are just some examples. Regardless, when you apply as a business person, the immigration officers look into your net worth.
What is net worth for immigration to Canada?
Generally speaking, net worth means all your assets minus all your liabilities. Of course, you need to find the value of the assets and liabilities in Canadian dollars.
What does count as an asset?
What does count as an asset?You could consider the following as your assets:
- Real-estate properties – residential, commercial or industrial
- Cash in your bank accounts – savings or checking accounts and term investments
- Corporate shares – publically-traded stock shares or private companies shares
- Antiques and valuable artworks
- Personal vehicles, boats and motorbikes
- Pensions that are payable in a lump sum
- Financial investments in construction or other projects and businesses
- Any other personal item that has monetary value
Depending on the immigration option, an officer may ignore some of these assets in their calculations. Consequently, consult with your immigration consultant to avoid any issues.
What does count as a debt?
Anything of financial value that you owe to others is a debt. Some examples include:
- Mortgages on properties
- Personal loans
- Credit cards debt
- The outstanding balance on lines of credit
- Any other debt instrument you have used.
Of course, this list is neither inclusive nor exclusive.
How to calculate the net worth for immigration to Canada?
All you need to do is to add all your net assets and then deduct all your debt from it. You may download our net worth spreadsheet to help you with the process. Please note that this is an unofficial tool to assist you with the calculations. We cannot be held responsible for any mistakes in this form. You may not use this for commercial purposes. The government uses other forms such as Schedule 4A. However, the form they would ask depends on the method of immigration.
What part of net worth is transferrable?
Sometimes part of your net worth is not transferrable. For example, consider the following scenarios:
- There is a lien on the asset.
- You own a real-estate but you also have partners and without their permission, you may not sell the property.
When you calculate your net worth it is good practice to identify how much of it is transferrable to Canada. Of course, some immigration options openly ask this question from you.
What part of net worth is liquid?
Loosely speaking, liquid assets are part of your net worth you could turn them in cash quickly. How quickly you may ask? Think about a week or so. Of course, this is not a financial definition for liquid assets, but for the purpose of immigration to Canada, it is good enough.
What part of net worth is unencumbered?
Unencumbered funds refer to that part of net worth that has no strings attached to them and readily available to you. Of course, the simplest form of unencumbered funds is the money you have in your personal bank accounts. Presenting other forms of funds as unencumbered is a bit risky. However, use your own judgement.
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
Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. Considering the fluid nature of the immigration world, it may no longer be current. Of course, the item does not give legal advice. Therefore, do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. Consequently, no one could hold us accountable for the content of these articles. Of course, if you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. Alternatively, if you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment.
The characters and places in the articles:
All the characters and locations in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Therefore, any resemblance in names, dates, and places is coincidental.
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