Canadian skilled migration visa, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages skilled immigration under the Canada Express Entry system. Applicants with the highest scores in the Express Entry pool receive an invitation to apply for one of the following programmes:
Federal Skilled Worker
Canada Experience Class
Provincial Express Entry Categories
Once issued a ITA, the applicant must complete a full application for the appropriate programme.
The Federal Skilled Worker programme uses its own point system that takes into account several factors. It is designed to show whether the applicant and their family members will successfully settle in Canada. Ideal applicants have skills and experience compatible with occupations in demand. The selection rules give preference to applicants with a government-approved job offer.
For more information on the federal skilled worker class, see Who Qualifies for Canadian Permanent Residence / Skilled Worker Immigration?
Québec and the other Canadian provinces also have their own economic immigration programmes.
Under Québec’s skilled worker class and the provincial nominee class, applicants can obtain permanent residence based on their demonstrated ability to establish themselves economically in Canada, according to the immigration programmes and selection criteria administered by Québec or the provinces.
Canada also admits immigrants under business programmes such as the Start-Up Visa Programme and the Self-Employed Class. Québec, in turn, operates the very popular Quebec Immigrant Investor Programme (QIIP).
The Start-Up Visa Programme was introduced by ministerial decree in April 2013 as a five-year pilot project. It was made permanent on 31 March 2018. The Start-Up Visa Programme grants permanent residency in Canada to skilled immigrant entrepreneurs. The programme aims to attract innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and connect them with Canadian private sector companies (angel investor groups, venture capital funds or incubators) and facilitate the launch of their business in Canada.
The self-employed class is for applicants who have relevant experience in self-employment and the intention and ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or sporting life of Canada or to create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada. The Québec government administers its own immigration programmes, which provide rules for the selection of professionals and business classes.
The Quebec Immigrant Investor Programme (QIIP) is the only option for wealthy business people who wish to secure permanent residency based on a passive investment. The main requirements to qualify for the Quebec Investor Programme are
Have a legally acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
Two years of suitable management or business experience within the last five years prior to application;
Commit to investing $1.2 million in a passive, government-guaranteed investment over a five-year period without interest;
They intend to establish themselves in the province of Quebec.