Canada’s Self-Employed Class seeks to attract to Canada individuals who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have relevant experience in either cultural activities or athletics and be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. There was also previously farm management component of the program which closed on March 10, 2018. Eligibility – Athletics and Cultural Experience The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC“) website states that to qualify for the Self-Employed Program applicants must show that they: have relevant experience; intend and be able to be self-employed in Canada; and can contribute to Canada’s economy in one of the required areas. “Relevant experience” under the Self-Employed Program means at least two years of experience during the period starting five years before a person applies for permanent residence and ending by the time the visa is issued. The experience must be: for cultural activities: two one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or two one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or a combination of a one-year period described in (1.) above, and a one-year period described in (2.) above. for … Read More
Where do Immigrant Investor Funds Go In BC?
One of the questions that I am most frequently asked is “where does British Columbia’s money from the Immigrant Investor Program go?” Indeed, at least two people today e-mailed me this question after they read an article in the China Daily about how $1.6-billion left China due to emigration under various investor scheme. The answer can be found on the the B.C. Immigrant Investment Fund Ltd.’s (the “BC IIF”) website. The BCIIF receives and manages British Columbia’s portion of funds under the Immigrant Investor Program. Their 2011-2014 Service Plan can be found here. According to the website and the 2011-2014 Service Plan, some of the money from the Immigrant Investor Program has been spent on the following projects: Loaning $60-million to aid in the construction of the BCIT aerospace facility near the Vancouver International Airport; Loaning $5-million to help facilitate the purchase of the University of Victoria Technology Enterprise Facility, which accommodates the Centre for Addictions Research B.C., the NEPTUNE Canada Research Project, and the Venus Research Project. Loaning $13.9-million for the construction of a student residence at the University of the Fraser Valley. Loaning $3.3-million for the construction of two residences at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. Loaning … Read More