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How Can I Immigrate to Vancouver as a Business Owner?

Blog posted on by Evelyn Ackah in Vancouver Immigration

How Can I Immigrate to Vancouver as a Business Owner?

Vancouver is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a strong economy and a high standard of living. Vancouver is also a desirable destination for business owners, thanks to its favorable tax regime, supportive business environment and access to a highly skilled workforce.

If you are a business owner who is interested in immigrating to Vancouver, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to meet the basic eligibility requirements for Canadian immigration. These include:

  • having a valid passport
  • meeting the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) for English or French
  • proving that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are settling in Canada

Once you have met the basic eligibility requirements, you need to choose the immigration program that is right for you. There are three main ways to immigrate to Vancouver as a business owner.

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3 Top Ways To Immigrate To Vancouver As A Business Owner

1. Self-employed Persons Program

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. To be eligible for this program, you must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.

2. BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration (EI)

The BC PNP EI program is designed to attract international entrepreneurs to British Columbia. To be eligible for this program, you must have a viable business plan, secure a minimum investment of $200,000 from a designated investment organization, and create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

BC wants immigrant entrepreneurs! The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration stream has been extended to March 2024 and encourages entrepreneurial immigrants who want to start a business and settle in regional communities around BC with populations of fewer than 75,000:

  • exploratory community visit
  • minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments
  • minimum personal net worth of $300,000
  • minimum of 51% ownership
  • minimum of 1 new job created

3. Canada's Business Immigration Program – Start-up Business Class (IMM 5759)

The Start-up Business Class program is designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs to Canada who have innovative business ideas. To be eligible for this program, you must have a letter of support from a designated venture capital firm, business incubator, or angel investor group.

How To Apply To Immigrate To Vancouver

Deciding on the best immigration program for your specific qualifications and business goals can be challenging. An experienced Vancouver business immigration lawyer can guide you on the programs with the best chance for success, and manage your application process until you are approved and arrive in Canada!

  • Once you have chosen the immigration program that is right for you, you need to submit an application to the Canadian government. The application process can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice from an immigration consultant.
    • If your application is successful, you will be granted a temporary work permit. This will allow you to come to Canada and start your business. Once your business is established and you have created jobs for Canadians, you can apply for permanent residence.

    Immigrating to Vancouver as a business owner can be a rewarding experience. Vancouver is a great place to live and work, and there are many government and private sector programs available to help entrepreneurs succeed.

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    Tips for Immigrating to Vancouver As A Business Owner

    Here are some additional tips for immigrating to Vancouver as a business owner:

    • Do your research.
      Before you start the immigration process, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the different immigration programs available and the eligibility requirements for each program. You should also research the Vancouver business environment and the specific industry that you want to operate in.
    • Get professional advice.
      The immigration process can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice from an immigration consultant. An immigration consultant can help you choose the right immigration program, prepare your application, and guide you through the entire process.
    • Network with other entrepreneurs.
      There are many organizations and groups that support entrepreneurs in Vancouver. Networking with other entrepreneurs can help you learn more about the Vancouver business environment and get advice from other successful business owners.

    If you are a business owner who is interested in immigrating to Vancouver, I encourage you to talk to a Canadian business immigration lawyer today. Vancouver is a great place to live and work, and there are many opportunities for successful business owners and entrepreneurs.

    Learn More About Immigration To Vancouver

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    Our Vancouver Immigration Services

    Business Immigration Is Personal Our Vancouver location of Ackah Business Immigration Law Office is a full-service immigration law firm that handles corporate and individual immigration matters. Our Canadian immigration lawyers are experienced in all immigration matters and can help our clients achieve their immigration goals. We can help foreign business owners who want to move to Vancouver including:

    The guidance of an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer can be very helpful if you are planning to incorporate a company in Canada as a non-resident. At Ackah Business Immigration Law, our goal is to make Crossing Borders Seamlessly a reality and to smooth your way to new opportunities in Canada. Ackah Law is headquartered in Calgary with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. If you need Canada business incorporation services or have other business immigration needs, Ackah Law can help.

    Contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452‑9515 or email us directly at contact@ackahlaw.com.


    Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

    Founder/Managing Lawyer

    Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

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    It is one thing to earn a living; it is another thing to make a difference in the world.

    This is our formal thank you note to Evelyn Ackah and the Ackah Law Team for all the effort they put into helping us navigate and finally resolve the hurdle that was Canadian Immigration back in the spring of 2012.

    A friend referred us to Evelyn; he assured us that Evelyn would take good care of us. Our friend was confident we were in good hands and said Evelyn would do her very best to help us and she did! At the time we did not know that his referral would go far beyond finding us help. Slowly we realized that it would become our own personal story of how we received grace and were reminded of the power in paying it forward

    We wrote a detailed page of our dilemma, explaining how we came to be in the position we were in (overwhelmed with the hurdle that was Canadian Immigration and the uncertainty that we faced as a young family in Calgary). Evelyn agreed to take on our file with her team. They found the time to personally call us and listened intently and understood the details of what we were dealing with. They gave us their time, an honest opinion and provided clear direction which proved to be invaluable advice. Months went by but in time, we received word from Ackah Law that the Immigration office had finally reviewed our file and a decision had been made allowing our family to finally put the immigration matter to rest. We were finally able to focus again to live our lives without fear or pending doom.

    Looking back now, even the sun appeared to shine a little brighter that day. At first we didn’t know whether to bake them a cake, drive out to meet their team, find their offices and personally thank them with a mighty hug or simply cry out to the heavens in thankful relief. Instead we emailed them to express our heartfelt thank-you and we hoped that they would know deep in their hearts just how grateful we were for all of their help.

    Even though we relied on emails and phone conversations to communicate with them that year, we will always remember their constant professionalism, their kindness and understanding at a time that brought us so much pain not to mention fear. As if all their hard work wasn’t enough, Evelyn then then casually mentions that all their work was done pro-bono! We were thoroughly humbled!

    To this day we are still eager to share how wonderful they all are as human beings but even more than that, we continue to pay it forward in honour of them, their service to us and their continued dedication in helping others.

    Eternally thankful

    – The Brummunds

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    Love is a word I dare not diminish. Built with intention, care and respect by Bryce Kirk