To qualify under the Federal Entrepreneur Category, applicant must have

• experience in managing a qualifying business and controlling a minimum percentage of equity of a qualifying business for at least two years in the five years prior to submission of application.
• a legally obtained net worth of at least 300,000 Canadian Dollars;
• intention and ability to meet the conditions that accompany entrepreneur immigrant visa.

• the percentage of equity, multiplied by the number of full-time job equivalents, is equal to or greater than two full-time job equivalents per year;
• the percentage of equity, multiplied by the total annual sales, is equal to or greater than $500,000;
• the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net income in the year, is equal to or greater than $50,000; or the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net assets at the end of the year, is equal to or greater than $125,000

• control a percentage of the equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or greater than 33 1/3 per cent;
• provide active and ongoing management of the qualifying Canadian business; and
• create at least one incremental full-time job equivalent for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, other than the entrepreneur and their family members.

An entrepreneur must meet the conditions for a period of at least one year within the period of three years after the day on which the entrepreneur becomes a permanent resident. Immigration Canada monitors the compliance with the conditions.

Prospective entrepreneur immigrants are encouraged to make exploratory visits to Canada. This would allow them to personally evaluate opportunities and investigate business costs, markets, meet with provincial officials and acquire first-hand knowledge about living and doing business in Canada. Such an exploratory visit gives an applicant 6 extra assessment points.

Ariadne Counselling can provide the following assistance to Entrepreneurs:

• arrangement of exploratory visits to Canada;
• detailed analysis of personal data to determine eligibility;
• preparation and submission of application package and processing monitoring;
• selection interview training;
• consulting on immigrant visa terms and conditions removal;
• representation before Immigration Canada.

This is not a legal document. For legal information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations or the Citizenship Act and Regulations, as applicable. © Ariadne Counselling Services. All rights reserved.