Canada's Start-up Visa Program Provides Quick Access to Entrepreneurs

Canadian Globally Unique Start-up Visa Program Implemented since April 1, Allowing Applicants Six Months to Obtain Permanent Resident Status

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney points out that "Canada is open for business to the world’s start-up entrepreneurs," he stressed,  "Innovation and entrepreneurship are essential drivers of the Canadian economy. That is why we are actively recruiting foreign entrepreneurs - those who can build companies here in Canada that will create new jobs, spur economic growth and compete on a global scale - with our new start-up visa."

 

The "entrepreneurial visa" is the best weapon for Canada to compete internationally to introduce entrepreneurs. Although the United States made ​​a similar "business visa" scheme earlier than in Canada, but it is still in the Congress discussion stage, which does not become a bill, and this put Canada ahead.

The Start-up Visa Program requires, in addition for participating foreign entrepreneurs to be recognized by "venture capital funds" or "angel investors" organizations, their language skills are also required to meet "Canadian Language Standards" (CLB) Benchmark 5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing, and must have at least one year of post-secondary education.

The Start-Up Visa Program is a pilot program that will run for five years. Immigration Department said, applicants who participate in the "Designated Venture Capital Fund", will have to invest a minimum amount of $ $200,000, but those who participate in "angel investors" organizations, the minimum investment amount is $75,000.

(For more information, please see:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2013/2013-01-24.asp)

加拿大全球首创的创业签证计划已于4月1日开始，申请人最快可在6个月内取得永久居民身分。

移民部长康尼(Jason Kenney)指出，「加拿大现在正式对于世界级活跃的创业企业家开放」，他强调，「创新与企业家精神是推动加拿大经济的主要动力，这也是为何我们需要征求外国企业家，吸引他们到加拿大创业，并创造新的就业机会」。

「创业签证」是加拿大与国际竞争，吸引企业家前来的最佳利器。美国虽然较加拿大更早提出类似「创业签证」的计划，但却还在国会讨论阶段，未成为法案，结果让加拿大领先。

「创业签证计划」规定，外国企业家除了必须参与已获认可的「创业基金」或「天使投资人」组织，其语言能力亦须达到「加拿大语言标准」(CLB)听、说、读、写能力的5级，并且必须至少曾读一年的专上教育。

「创业签证计划」为一项试验计划，初步为期5年。 移民部指出，申请人若参加「指定创业基金」，最低投资额为20万元，但若是参加「天使投资人」组织，最低投资额为7.5万元。

(更多内容请见：For more information, please see:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2013/2013-01-24.asp)