Jul 28, 2017 | Business Immigration, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Investor Immigration, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency
The Start-Up Visa Program, which was launched in April 2013, invites immigrant entrepreneurs to bring their business to Canada. The program allows entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residence for themselves and their family. This pilot program was aimed at attracting pioneering foreign entrepreneurs who would contribute to the Canadian economy. After evaluation of the pilot, it has been determined that the Start-Up Visa Program is delivering on its goals to bring innovative companies into Canada, which in turn creates more jobs for middle-class Canadian workers in a range of industries. With the success of the pilot, the government has announced that it will make the Start-Up Visa Program a permanent part of the immigration landscape for 2018.
As of July 15, 117 principal applicants have received permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program. This represents 68 start-ups that were launched in Canada as a result of this program. At present, there are more than 50 Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators designated to participate in the program. Entrepreneurs who participated in the program in the first 3 years received over $3.7 million in investment capital from designated entities to help them grow their business in Canada.
Innovative entrepreneurs who wish to apply for permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements.
- Prove your business is supported by a designated organization;
- Show your business meets ownership requirements;
- Meet the minimum language requirements (CLB 5 in all areas) in English or French; and
- Show sufficient funds to settle in Canada;
If you have an innovative business idea, you may be able to bring this idea with you to Canada. Take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility or contact us today to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
May 2, 2017 | Blog, Family Immigration, New Laws, Permanent Residency, Spousal Sponsorship
On April 28, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the elimination of the conditional permanent residence provision for sponsored spouses and partners. This provision, put in place in October 2012, was meant to prevent fraudulent marriages entered into for the sole purpose of immigration. Under this provision, a sponsored spouse or partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident was required to live with their sponsor for two years if, at the time of applying, the couple did not have any children together and the relationship was less than two years old.
Effective immediately, sponsored spouses and partners will be relieved of this requirement to live with their sponsor and instead receive full permanent resident status upon landing. By getting rid of the conditional permanent residence provision, the government of Canada hopes to promote gender equality and battle violence. Under the conditional permanent residence provision, vulnerable spouses or partners may have felt the need to remain in an abusive relationship for fear of losing their status. While there did exist an exception to the condition that addressed violence, this does not mean that victims were aware of it or that no other factors might have prevented them from coming forward. Fear is a big factor in these situations and abuse is not always an easy case to present. As such, it is believed that sponsored spouses were put in a difficult position under this conditional status. With this change, sponsored spouses and partners can feel secure in their status without staying in a bad or dangerous relationship. As noted on the Government of Canada website, “any case that was under investigation for non-compliance with the cohabitation condition has ceased. However, cases involving marriage fraud will continue to be investigated.”
Violence is not tolerated in Canada. If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse or neglect under the hand of a sponsor or sponsor’s family, you can get help.
For more information about spousal sponsorship, click here or contact us to discuss your options for permanent residence.
