Business immigrants choose Canada for many reasons. Canada is known for for having a well-established start-up ecosystem and a strong capital market to support entrepreneurial immigrants. But oftentimes, it’s about our clients’ children and their future: the people who retain us appreciate Canada’s high education standards and the career opportunities here which follow.
A major advantage is the savings on university/college tuition fees. At the University of Toronto, domestic fees for the Faculty of Arts & Science, for example, currently cost just over $10,000 per year whereas international students are charged approximately $60,000. Over 4 years, the savings is approximately $200,000 per child which is comparable to the overall cost of immigrating under some business immigration programs.
Many of Viresh’s clients prior to consulting Viresh have not been aware that there is no need for a Canadian ‘sponsoring company’ or ‘local business partner.’ Either spouse can be the main applicant and the whole family immigrates, including adult children under 22 years old (options exist for those over 22, for instance as international students). It is only necessary to stay in Canada 2 out of a given 5-year period which will enable the renewing of the Permanent Resident Card.
If one spouse becomes a Canadian citizen and moves back to the country of origin or to another third country with their business/investor client for certain specified reasons, every day overseas with the business/investor client spouse counts as a day in Canada so the other spouse’s Permanent Resident Card can be renewed without jeopardy.
Citizenship is also relatively easy to obtain once an applicant lives in Canada for 3 cumulative rather than consecutive years. A permanent resident visa holder may also move to any part of Canada, enjoying Canada’s high standard of living, free health care and excellent free public schools. Canada is unique in that it has a stable political climate and all major political parties are committed to supporting increasing levels of immigration and the welfare of immigrants.
As a fellow immigration lawyer has noted, “a middle-aged person should be cautious of unqualified and unregulated “consultants” and “agents” who may take your money and put you in an Express Entry (points system) pool. In this scenario, your points will likely be less than 300 points and therefore you will not be not be issued an Invitation to proceed with an immigration application by Immigration Canada (IRCC)”
Viresh Immigration Law has extensive experience helping those in their 40s, 50s and older as business immigrants. It is not necessary for you to have been an entrepreneur yourself. That is where we come and guide you.
The Start-up Visa Program is very different from skilled worker (points system-based) immigration. It looks beyond age and education and only a basic level of English or French is required (Canadian Language Benchmark of 5). The private sector is involved and a government-approved “Designated Organization” must provide a “Letter of Support.” Viresh will study your background carefully and work with you to submit a genuine application. Viresh works with business partners who prepare the pitch to the Designated Organization and we have strong professional relationships with these government-approved private organizations.
The program allows up to 5 applicants to band together in the start-up. Once the application is submitted, it is critical that Viresh provides ongoing support and advice to ensure success. Section 89 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations requires that Viresh as the lawyer demonstrates that the purpose of application for an immigrating visa is to engage in the business activity described rather than simply wanting to move here.
A major benefit of the Start-up Visa Program is that once immigration is achieved, there are no conditions. In other words, permanent residence is not conditional upon hiring a certain number of local Canadians or proving the business was successful. The government recognizes that most start-ups fail and so once you are a Permanent Resident, there are no further check-ins. Given this, the government will expect a well-prepared application.
Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories. Each jurisdiction operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Though Viresh is based in Toronto, our firm does not restrict itself to the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program. Viresh has assisted clients to take advantage of different Provincial Nominee Programs as another option for business immigration.
Unlike the Start-up Visa, the Ontario PNP Entrepreneur Stream requires 24 months of business experience as an owner or senior manager in the last 60 months and a net worth of $800,000 ($400,000 if outside the Greater Toronto Area). Also, you must invest $600,000 ($200,000 if outside the Greater Toronto Area) and control one-third of the equity of the business. Further, you need to actively be involved in the business and must create 2 full-time jobs for Canadians or Permanent Residents. If you wish to purchase an existing business, Viresh who is both a Chartered Accountant and Lawyer, uniquely qualified to assist you.
Logistically, we will assist you in submitting an Expression of Interest and then we will assist you with placement in a pool of applicants after carefully vetting you. We work with very reputable business partners in this regard.
In Canada there are over 1.7 million people who trace their origin to Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. Over a quarter of all recent immigration to Canada is from South Asia.
Viresh Immigration Law assists current residents of Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan as well as ex-pats of South Asia working in the Gulf Cooperating Countries (GCC) to migrate to or study in Canada.
For most of our clients, it’s all about their children. Some choose Canada to escape political unrest, discrimination, and climate change while those in the GCC would prefer the same or better standard of living but in a free and democratic society.
A major advantage is the savings on university/college tuition fees. At the University of Toronto, domestic fees for the Faculty of Arts & Science, for example, currently cost just over $10,000 whereas international students are charged $60,000. Over 4 years, the savings is therefore $200,000 (different to the amount stated before in business section) per child which is comparable to the overall cost of immigrating under some business immigration programs.
For South Asian ex-pats in the Middle East, many are surprised to learn that there is no need for a Canadian ‘sponsoring company’ or ‘local business partner.’ Either spouse can be the main applicant and the whole family immigrates, including adult children under 22 years old (options exist for those over 22, for instance as international students). Visas are no longer needed to come to Canada and once a permanent resident, it’s only necessary to stay here 2 out of 5 years to keep renewing your Permanent Resident Card (and if your spouse becomes a Canadian citizen and moves back with you, every day with the spouse abroad counts as a day in Canada so your Permanent Resident Card can be renewed over and over again). Citizenship is also relatively easy to obtain once you stay here 3 years (cumulatively, not consecutively). You may also move to any part of Canada, enjoying Canada’s high standard of living, free health care and excellent free public schools. Of course, Canada is renowned for having a stable political climate and the fact that all major political parties fully support immigration and immigrants.
Sadly, too many clients come to us after being scammed by local “consultants” and “agents”. If the package being offered for business immigration is very cheap, be careful. No one should be selling you a business plan or over-promising. Viresh Immigration Law has extensive experience immigrating those in their 40s, 50s and older as business immigrants. Viresh knows that it’s not necessary for you to have been an entrepreneur yourself and we can assist with all the nuances and complexities given we are immersed in Canadian immigration law and have a sterling reputation.
