Business Visas - Invest or start a business in Canada. The Canadian Business Immigration Category of visas was designed to attract experienced business people to Canada. Successful candidates are those who can invest in Canada, start businesses in Canada and generate revenues and employment for Canadians. In June 2002, Canada's 25-year old Immigration Act was replaced by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The recent changes highlight a change to more objectively based criteria used in determining successful business migrants who can invest in businesses, employ Canadians and generate growth and revenue in Canada. In 2003, over 8,100 business migrants were allowed entry into Canada. In 2005-2006, the government target is to welcome between 9,500 to 10,500 business migrants.  In order to encourage the development of a strong, prosperous economic environment, the Canadian government seeks business people with sufficient business experience and the necessary assets.

Business Visa program is divided into four main categories

 
1. Investor Immigrant Visas: aimed at successful senior executives with managerial experience or successful owners or part-owners who have the intention and ability to invest in Canada for a term of 5 years;

2. Entrepreneur Immigrant Visa: aimed at successful owners or part-owners with significant business experience who have the intention and ability to own and manage a business in Canada, which generates revenues and employment;

3. Self-Employed Immigrant Visa: aimed at persons with relevant experience in world-class athletics or cultural activities or with farm management experience, who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada;

4. Provincial Nominee Business Immigrant Visas: aimed at successful senior executives with managerial experience or successful owners or part-owners who have the intention and ability to own and manage or invest in a local provincial business, and abide by the terms and conditions of provincial nominee business programs.