Permanent Immigration

Canada's Business Immigration Program seeks to promote economic development and employment by attracting successful business people who have abilities and resources to invest or establish businesses in Canada.

The program also seeks to develop new commercial opportunities and to improve access to growing foreign markets by "importing" people who are familiar with those markets and their special requirements and customs. The federal, provincial and territorial governments encourage prospective business immigrants to invest in Canada.

Over the years, thousands of foreign business people have found Canada to be an excellent place to invest capital and to apply their particular business know - how to Canadian ventures. Business immigrants, who represent nearly 10% of total immigrants, include investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed immigrants. Selection criteria vary for each category.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants:

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NOTE: the occupations above are all Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification list.