Does Canada have a “gold card”? Here’s a look at all the investor visa options available

United States president Donald Trump recently announced plans to introduce a 5 million USD “Gold Card” visa. This raises the question: does Canada have a similar “gold card” option?

The short answer is “no”— you can’t buy Canadian permanent residency (PR), and most Canadian economic PR programs are geared toward skilled workers rather than entrepreneurs.

But Canada does offer several entrepreneur immigration programs that provide pathways to permanent residence.

Speak with an immigration representative about investor visa options

Here’s a look at some of the entrepreneur PR pathways available.

On the federal level

For a federal immigration program in Canada, you can settle and establish your business in any province other than Quebec.

For Quebec

To settle in Quebec, you must first apply to the Quebec immigration department.

Provincial Programs

For the provincial nominee programs (PNPs), you must intend to settle and establish your business in the nominating province.

For the below PNP streams, you must generally demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in either English or French.

Eligibility criteria for each of these programs, in more details, can be seen below:

Speak with an immigration representative about investor visa options

Start Up Visa Program

Canada has a federal Start-Up Visa program that grants permanent residence to immigrants who want to build a business in the country (outside Quebec).

This process grants permanent residency to the applicant as well as their spouse and dependent children.

Note: A maximum of five foreign nationals can apply for permanent residence together under the same business venture through the Start-Up Visa Program.

To be eligible, applicants must have a qualifying business, which means:

• The applicant needs to hold 10% or more of the total voting rights;
• The business needs to be incorporated in Canada;
• Management of the business must be from inside Canada; and
• An essential part of business operations should happen in Canada.

Support of a designated business organization

Applicants must also have the support of a designated organization.

Designated organizations are business groups that have been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups. Applicants must contact and convince such an organization to support them, by sharing a letter of support.

These organizations can be venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubator organizations.

Applicants need to be:

• Accepted into a Canadian business incubator program;
• Secure a minimum investment of 75,000 from an angel investor group; or
• Secure a minimum investment of 200,000 from a designated Canadian venture capital fund.

You can see the full list of designated organizations here.

Note: There is currently a cap on the number of applications that will be considered per designated organization. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This cap is in place until December 31, 2026.

Also worth noting that applicants and the designated organization together must hold more than 50% of the total voting rights.

Language requirements

Applicants need to achieve Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking (English or French).

Settlement funds

Applicants need to be able to support themselves and their family. The money needed depends on the size of the family.

Once an application is approved, IRCC will issue a PR visa, which will include a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and entry visa.

Note: While an application is being processed, candidates are eligible for a temporary work permit so they can work and build their business.

Speak with an immigration representative about investor visa options

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

Those who are interested in settling in Quebec can consider the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) instead.

This is the only passive investor immigration program offered in Canada, meaning that the applicant does not need to prove an active managerial role in the company.

It is a pathway to permanent residence, not just for the applicants but also for their family members (spouse and dependent children).

Eligibility criteria:

• Net worth of at least $2 million;
• Two years of management experience;
• Have the equivalent of a secondary school diploma in Québec;
• Have spoken French language skills at least at level 7, according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français;
• Have an agreement with an approved financial intermediary, who will handle the investment and financial contribution;
• The financial intermediary must make a five-year term investment of CDN $1,000,000 and make a financial contribution of CDN $200,000 to Investissement Québec Immigrants Investisseurs inc. The investment is guaranteed by the Gouvernement du Québec; and
• Obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and Quebec values.

The applicant must complete a stay in Quebec of at least 12 months within two years of the work permit issuance, with at least 6 months completed by them and the remaining 6 months by either them or their spouse.

Quebec’s immigration process works differently from the federal government, and from other provinces in Canada. Those whose applications are accepted will receive a notice of intention to be selected from Quebec.

This notice will contain all the information needed to apply for a work permit from the Government of Canada for work in Quebec. Applicants need to prove they have been living in Quebec to receive the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). Once they have a CSQ, they can apply to the federal government for PR status.

Speak with an immigration representative about investor visa options

Provincial Nominee Programs

Many provinces have their own streams for those who want to start businesses and settle within the province.

Getting permanent residence through a PNP program is a two-step process:

• First, receive a provincial nomination;
• Second, apply to the Canadian federal government for PR.

To seek a provincial nomination, you must follow the consideration process set out by the province for the stream you wish to apply under.

Many PNP entrepreneur streams require the submission of a business plan or business proposal as part of the application.

Here’s a look at some of provincial streams, along with key eligibility criteria.

Alberta

Alberta has four streams for entrepreneurs who want to live in Alberta and buy or start a business in the province.

Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Eligibility criteria:

• Minimum 3 years as an active business owner/manager or 4 years as a senior manager in the past 10 years;
• High school equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA);
• Minimum CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French);
• At least $300,000 (personal or spouse’s assets) net worth;
• Minimum $100,000 business investment;
• Minimum 51% ownership for a new business;
• Must create at least one full time job for a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident; and
• Must get a support letter from a participating rural Alberta community.

Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Eligibility criteria:

• Have completed a minimum two-year full-time program from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post secondary institution;
• Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP);
• Have a minimum CLB level 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) for each language skill; and
• Must establish new business or buy existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership.

Foreign Graduate Stream

Eligibility criteria:

• Have at least 6 months of full-time experience that can be a combination of managing and owning a business;
• Completed a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada within the last 10 years, with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA);
• Have a CLB level 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) in all language skills;
• Own at least 34% of the business in an urban area or 51% in a regional area;
• Make a minimum investment of $100,000 in an urban area or $50,000 in a regional area;
• Have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP approved designated agency; and
• Demonstrate they have the settlement funds to set up the business and support themselves while on work permit and launching set up.

Farm Stream

Eligibility criteria:

• Farm management skills;
• Must be able to invest at least $500,000 in a primary production farming business;
• Must have a net worth of $500,000 or access to equivalent funds; and
• Business must align with Alberta farming industry requirements.

British Columbia

Base stream

Eligibility criteria:

• Net worth of at least $600,000;
• Business or management experience, or a two-year post-secondary diploma equivalent;
• English or French language skill equal to CLB 4 or higher;
• Make an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 in the business; and
• Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Regional stream

This is for entrepreneurs who may wish to open a business in one of BC’s smaller communities.

Eligibility criteria:

• Must show business and/or management experience;
• Have a personal net worth of at least $300,000;
• Make an eligible personal investment of at least $100,000 in the business;
• Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of CLB 4; and
• Get a community referral from the community they plan on settling in.

Nova Scotia

Entrepreneur Stream

This is for entrepreneurs or senior managers looking to live in the province. They can start a new business or buy an existing one but must actively participate in the day-to-day management.

Eligibility criteria:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have a net worth of at least $600,000 (or $400,000 outside Halifax Regional Municipality);
• Invest $150,000 (or $100,000 outside HRM) of their own funds;
• Have at least 3 years of business ownership or more than 5 years in senior management; and
• Meet language proficiency requirements of CLB level 5.

Nova Scotia International Graduate Entrepreneur

The province also has a separate stream for those who have graduated from a Nova Scotia university or community college.

Eligibility criteria:

• Have one year of continuous work experience actively managing and owning a Nova Scotia business (must have at least 33.33% of ownership minimum);
• Have completed a two-year academic program at a Nova Scotia university of community college, and received a degree or diploma;
• Have a valid PGWP; and
• Have a minimum CLB level 7 in all skills (English or French).

Manitoba

The province of Manitoba has two streams for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Pathway

Eligibility criteria:

• Minimum 3 years of full-time business experience in the past 5 years as a business owner (33 1/3% ownership of company) or senior manager;
• Minimum CLB/NCLC level 5 in language proficiency;
• Minimum education of Canadian high school equivalency;
• Minimum $500,000 net worth;
• Minimum investment of $250,000 in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region or $150,000 outside it;
• The proposed business must create or maintain one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and
• If making a business investment, this must be in an eligible business as defined by the MPNP.

Farm Investor Pathway

The Farm Investor Pathway (FIP) is for experienced farmers with the financial means to invest in and intend to establish and operate a farm in rural Manitoba.

Eligibility criteria:

• Minimum 3 years of farm ownership and operation experience;
• Prove language capabilities in either French or English in an interview;
• Minimum net worth of $500,000;
• Minimum investment of $300,000 in a rural Manitoba farm;
• Farm must be engaged in primary agriculture and conduct value-added farm business activities in Manitoba; and
• Must visit Manitoba for a farm business research visit.

Investing in a farm business operated primarily to derive passive investment income or for speculative purposes is not eligible.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream

Those thinking about settling in New Brunswick as an entrepreneur can start a business or purchase an existing business as long as they actively participate in the day-to-day management of the company.

Eligibility criteria:

• Must be between 19-59 years old;
• Have a minimum CLB level 4 in language proficiency;
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent;
• Have a personal net worth of at least $500,000 (or $300,000 for farming applicants);
• Demonstrate business ownership or senior management experience;
• $150,000 in eligible investments;
• The creation of at least one full-time job; and
• Have a minimum of 65 points.

After operating the business for 6 months and meeting the requirements of the business performance agreement, candidates may be nominated for permanent resident status by the province.

Processing Times

At the time of publishing this article, the federal government’s Start Up Visa program takes approximately 40 months to process.

For Quebec immigration and immigration through a PNP, start-to-finish time would include both steps: first, obtaining the CSQ or provincial nomination, and then, applying to the federal government.

Processing by Quebec immigration authorities to obtain a CSQ can take one to two years. After a candidate has received their CSQ, they must apply to the federal government. According to IRCC’s website, it can take 71 months to process Quebec Business Applications.

Processing times for obtaining a provincial nomination will vary depending on the PNP and the stream. In general, a PNP applicant can expect anywhere from several months to one or two years to receive a provincial nomination.

Once a candidate has been nominated by the province, they then have to apply to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC’s service standard for processing PNP applications, at the time of publishing, is 11 months.

Speak with an immigration representative about investor visa options