Canada Residence by Investment

The Federal Immigrant Investor Program was terminated and is no longer accepting applications. However, Canada continues to offer several alternative pathways to permanent residence for investors and entrepreneurs. The Start-Up Visa programme targets innovative entrepreneurs who secure support from designated Canadian organisations. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program provides a passive investment route. Provincial Nominee Programs across Canada offer business immigration streams with varying requirements. TopNation Global advises clients on the most suitable pathway.

The Start-Up Visa (SUV) programme is Canada’s flagship entrepreneur immigration stream. It is designed for innovative entrepreneurs who can secure a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian organisation — either a venture capital fund (minimum CAD 200,000 investment commitment), an angel investor group (minimum CAD 75,000), or a business incubator. There is no fixed minimum personal investment requirement. Applicants must meet language requirements (CLB 5 in English or French) and demonstrate sufficient settlement funds. The SUV grants permanent residence from the outset, regardless of whether the business ultimately succeeds.

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is a passive investment route to Canadian permanent residence administered by the Quebec government. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum net worth of CAD 2 million and commit to a CAD 1.2 million investment with the Quebec government for a five-year term. The investment is guaranteed by the Government of Quebec and is returned in full, without interest, at the end of the five-year period. Applicants must have at least two years of management experience. The programme periodically opens and closes for new applications.

Several Canadian provinces operate business immigration streams under their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programmes typically require applicants to have business management experience, meet minimum net worth thresholds, and commit to establishing or acquiring a business in the nominating province. Requirements vary significantly by province — British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and others each have distinct criteria. Provincial nomination significantly accelerates federal processing. TopNation Global helps clients identify the most suitable provincial stream.

Yes. All Canadian investment immigration pathways permit the inclusion of the main applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in a single permanent residence application. Family members receive the same immigration status and have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. Dependent children are generally defined as those under 22 years of age who do not have a spouse or partner of their own. Each family member must meet individual health and character requirements.

Processing times vary by programme. The Start-Up Visa typically takes 12 to 16 months from application to permanent residence confirmation. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program may take 24 to 36 months due to application volumes and intake caps. Provincial Nominee Programs generally process in 18 to 24 months. These timelines include federal processing by IRCC and may vary depending on application completeness, background check complexity, and overall programme volumes.

Canadian citizenship may be obtained after three years (1,095 days) of physical presence in Canada within a five-year period following the grant of permanent residence. Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must pass a citizenship test covering Canadian history, geography, government, and values, as well as demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French. Canada fully permits dual citizenship, so applicants are not required to renounce their existing nationality. A Canadian passport is among the most powerful in the world.

Language requirements depend on the programme. The Start-Up Visa requires a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in either English or French, demonstrated through an approved language test such as IELTS or TEF. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program has historically placed greater emphasis on French language ability, and knowledge of French may be required or advantageous. Provincial programmes vary in their language requirements. Higher language proficiency may improve processing priority and settlement outcomes.

Yes. The CAD 1.2 million investment under the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is guaranteed by the Government of Quebec. The investment is held for a five-year term and is returned in full to the investor at the end of the period, without interest. The guarantee is backed by the provincial government, providing a high degree of security. This passive investment structure — requiring no active business management — distinguishes the Quebec programme from the Start-Up Visa and most provincial business streams.

Canadian permanent residents have the constitutional right to live and work in any province or territory. While the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program and Provincial Nominee Programs expect applicants to settle in the nominating province, permanent residence status itself carries no geographic restrictions. In practice, many investors settle in major urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or Calgary. Start-Up Visa holders are expected to actively manage their business in Canada but may establish it in any province.

Canadian permanent residents who establish tax residency in Canada are subject to Canadian income tax on their worldwide income. Canada has a progressive personal income tax system with combined federal and provincial rates that can exceed 50% at the highest brackets. However, Canada has an extensive network of double taxation treaties that may provide relief. Careful pre-immigration tax planning is essential. TopNation Global works with qualified Canadian tax advisors to ensure clients understand their obligations and structure their affairs optimally before landing.