Investor Programs in Canada

A pathway to permanent residency for high-net-worth individuals.

Canada's immigrant investor programs are designed for experienced business professionals with a high personal net worth. By making a significant financial contribution to the Canadian economy, eligible applicants and their families can fast-track their journey to permanent resident status. These programs allow you to leverage your assets to achieve your immigration goals.

Canada's immigrant investor programs are designed for experienced business professionals with a high personal net worth. By making a significant financial contribution to the Canadian economy, eligible applicants and their families can fast-track their journey to permanent resident status. These programs allow you to leverage your assets to achieve your immigration goals.

 

What is an Immigrant Investor Program?

An Immigrant Investor Program is a type of business immigration stream that allows foreign nationals to obtain a visa or permanent residency by making a substantial investment in Canada. Unlike other business programs that may require you to actively manage a business, these programs typically focus on passive investment and financial contributions that support economic growth.

 

General Requirements

  • You must have at least two years of management experience within a specific period leading up to your application submission.


  • Applicants need to demonstrate a high personal net worth, with the exact amount varying depending on the specific program you are applying to.


  • Successful applicants are required to make a significant, and in some cases non-refundable, financial contribution or investment for a fixed period of time.

Important Considerations

Provincial vs. Federal

While some federal programs have been terminated, most current investor streams are managed by provinces, each with its own unique set of requirements and eligibility criteria.


French language proficiency

The most prominent investor program currently available, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), requires a minimum level of French language proficiency for applicants.


Application quotas

Many of these programs operate on an intake period basis and may have a limited number of applications they will accept, making it important to apply at the right time.

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Program assessment

We will carefully review your profile and financial background to determine which investor program is the best fit for your unique situation.

Strategic advice

Our team provides guidance on meeting the specific net worth, management experience, and language requirements for your chosen program.

Application preparation

We will assist in compiling the detailed financial and personal documents required to demonstrate the lawful origin of your funds and assets.

Timeline management

We can help you understand the specific application intake periods and deadlines to ensure your application is submitted at the right time.

Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City for Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) application

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) is currently Canada’s most well-known and longest-standing program of its kind. It is unique because it is the only passive investment program in Canada where an applicant can secure permanent residence simply by making an investment, without the need to start or manage a business. This is a key advantage over many other provincial nominee programs that often have an active management component.

Provincial Nominee Programs for Investors

Many provinces offer their own investor streams through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province designs its program to meet its specific economic needs. This means that requirements for personal net worth, investment amounts, and the type of business you must start or buy vary significantly from province to province. If you are interested in living in a particular province, exploring their PNP investor stream is a crucial step.

Outdated Federal Programs

It is important to note that the Federal Immigrant Investor Program and the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Program have been terminated. While the concept of a federal investor program for permanent residency is no longer active, the provinces and territories continue to welcome investors through their individual programs, demonstrating the ongoing Canadian interest in attracting foreign investment.

Canadian Parliament Hill and flag representing federal immigrant investor programs
entrepreneur working on business plan for Canadian business immigration or start-up visa

Interested in a different path?

If you are an entrepreneur or self-employed professional, other immigration pathways may be better suited for your skills and experience. Exploring these alternatives can open up new opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

IRCC requires full traceability of funds, often going back several years. Acceptable sources include business profits, dividends, sale of assets, inheritance, or gifts—but every transaction must be documented. Unexplained deposits, cash-based income, or incomplete banking records are common refusal triggers.

In most cases, no. Canadian business immigration programs prioritize active investors, meaning you must participate in management or strategic decision-making. Passive investments (such as buying shares with no operational role) rarely qualify unless explicitly allowed under a specific program.

While minimum thresholds vary, competitive applicants usually exceed the minimum by a significant margin. Net worth alone is not enough—officers assess liquidity, business experience, and the ability to transfer funds to Canada legally and efficiently.

No. Investment does not guarantee PR. Approval depends on meeting program conditions, complying with business performance requirements, and maintaining status. Some programs issue conditional work permits first, with PR only after business milestones are met.

Yes. Most investor pathways allow spouses and dependent children to be included, often granting spouses open work permits and children study permits while the business is being established.

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CanadianVisas.com is operated by Can-Am Immigration Inc., a Canadian immigration consulting firm. We provide access to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), as well as full representation services and self-guided immigration tools. CanadianVisas.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, except as authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act of Canada.