Immigration Categories      

G M & Associates works with business entrepreneurs from around the globe, who wish to immigrate to Canada under this category.  We have business consultants on our staff who have years of real world business experience in the Canadian marketplace.  They can identify potential business opportunities for you - be it a trading business or a franchise with one of the big names of a consultancy.  
Background:
World markets are in transformation and offer varied trade, technology and investment opportunities for Canadian business. International economic development and investment flows will increasingly affect Canadian lives and set the pace for global economic change.  The export sector has been the most dynamic element recently in stimulating economic growth in Canada. The fastest-growing new sectors for Canadian export include chemicals, communications equipment, computer software and specialized services.   The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Mexico came into force on January 1, 1994. The NAFTA improves access to these countries for Canadian goods and services and guarantees Canada's position as a prime location for investors seeking to serve the entire North American continent.   

With its great natural resources, skilled labour force, and modern capital plant, Canada, as an affluent, high-tech industrial society, has excellent economic prospects.
 

The role of immigrants in Canadian business:
Canada's diversity is increasingly recognized as an asset in both the domestic and  international market, and as a major contributing factor to Canadian economic prosperity. Canadians who came here as immigrants have gained international acclaim in the business world and continue to make decisive contributions to Canada's wealth and prosperity.   According to data compiled by Canadian Heritage:

• in 1988, they brought some $6 billion to Canada;
• they are 50 per cent more likely to be self-employed than other Canadians;
• they save more, thereby expanding the pool of investment capital available in the country;
• they tend to consume less in public services, and few of them receive social assistance;
• immigrants have higher than average incomes and higher wages, therefore they pay more in taxes.

As a result of these contributions, far from being a drain on Canadian wealth, the average immigrant headed household effectively transfers about $210 annually to the Canadian born population.

Applying for Immigration as a Business Entrepreneur:
To qualify for immigration under the Business Entrepreneur category, there are certain basic requirements you should fulfill. These are:

1. You should have a business background.
2. You should have enough funds to initiate your business in Canada
3. You are required to start a business in Canada within two years of landing.  This business could take one of many forms - a small business, a franchise or your own manufacturing facility.
4. You are required to employ at least one Canadian permanent resident or citizen other than your family member during this period.
5. You are required to present business details of your present and past business history upon request by the Consulate.

• who intends and has the ability to establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business that will contribute significantly to the economy and create employment opportunities for at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident other than the applicant himself or his dependents;

• who has experience in business administration and has substantial assets;

• who intends and has the ability to provide active and on-going participation in the management of the business or commercial venture;

• who, if he enters into a business partnership, owns no less than 25% of the shares.

• You should have enough funds to initiate your business in Canada

• You are required to start a business in Canada within two years of landing.  This business could take one of many forms - a small business, a franchise or your own manufacturing facility.
• You are required to employ at least one Canadian permanent resident or citizen other than your family member during this period.
• You are required to present business details of your present and past business history upon request by the Consulate.

Open for persons with net worth of at least US$. 375,000 and willing to invest          US$. 200,00 in an approved investment for a period of five years.     Canada welcomes business immigrants who have the ability and resources to invest in or establish businesses in Canada. During 1998, business immigrants invested more than $437 million in Canada. Business immigrants, who represent nearly 8% of total immigrants, include investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed immigrants. Selection criteria vary for each category.          

Canada Immigration Regulations define an investor as an immigrant who:

• has successfully operated, controlled or directed a business;

• has made a minimum investment (in an approved fund) since the date of the investor's application for immigration as an investor;

• has acquired a minimum net worth of at least CAD$800,000.00 through personal business endeavors

• Investments must be in approved funds or designated business undertakings under immigrant investor programs;

• Investments must also be in investment projects open for subscription.