Business Owner From US, Trying to Immigrate To BC (Vancouver Island)

[joshmv]

Hey everybody,

This is my first post so I hope I'm in the right section.

I'm a US citizen and I've run my own business (setup as a corporation) for the last 5 years or so. I desperately want to relocate to Vancouver Island in the next 3-5 years, but I just don't see any avenues for securing a visa in my situation.

I see that they've currently stopped the entrepreneurship visa program, the investor program, and the BC provincial nominees program, which are basically the only visa's that I'd qualify for since I'm not interested in working for someone else.

Do I have any options left? Do you guys think they will open those programs back up in the next few years? I know they just opened up a new visa program for companies that secure funding from a Canadian investment firm, but I'm not looking for capital so this really wouldn't apply to me.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Josh

 

[amikety]

You can use this tool to determine if you're currently eligible for any programs:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/cometocanada.asp

 

[scylla]

They will probably open up the investor program at some point. However it's anyone's guess when that will happen.

Do you have sufficient funds to qualify? (Net worth of at least $1.6 million and able to invest $800K in your business in Canada.) If you do, then waiting is one option. If you don't, then you should start looking into other immigration programs.

 

[joshmv]

They will probably open up the investor program at some point. However it's anyone's guess when that will happen.

Do you have sufficient funds to qualify? (Net worth of at least $1.6 million and able to invest $800K in your business in Canada.) If you do, then waiting is one option. If you don't, then you should start looking into other immigration programs.

I doubt it, but as an entrepreneur I'm always hoping that things will take off within the next few years. Right now my net worth is around 500k.

I took the survey linked above and it said the entrepreneur class is what I'd be eligible for. I know they aren't granting visa's for any entrepreneur applications after 2011 at this time, but would it be any advantage to try and submit one and get it on file or is that not even a possibility?

Thanks again,

 

[amikety]

I doubt it, but as an entrepreneur I'm always hoping that things will take off within the next few years. Right now my net worth is around 500k.

I took the survey linked above and it said the entrepreneur class is what I'd be eligible for. I know they aren't granting visa's for any entrepreneur applications after 2011 at this time, but would it be any advantage to try and submit one and get it on file or is that not even a possibility?

Thanks again,

You can start preparing the application, like writing a business plan, etc, but keep in mind - requirements may change and some documents have an expiration date.

I doubt they would accept the application. If you're lucky, they'd return it. If you're unlucky, it would meet the shredder.

 

[joshmv]

You can start preparing the application, like writing a business plan, etc, but keep in mind - requirements may change and some documents have an expiration date.

I doubt they would accept the application. If you're lucky, they'd return it. If you're unlucky, it would meet the shredder.

Thanks for the advice, I'll just hold off on submitting something.

Do you know if they still make you do a business plan if you already have an established and profitable business with a few years of financial reports?

 

[amikety]

Thanks for the advice, I'll just hold off on submitting something.

Do you know if they still make you do a business plan if you already have an established and profitable business with a few years of financial reports?

Until they re-open the program, no one (unless you have top secret buddies at CIC) can tell you what they will or won't require..... BUT.... you'll be moving to a new country, new customers, new environment. I would bet money they will require a business plan.

$5!

 

[joshmv]

Until they re-open the program, no one (unless you have top secret buddies at CIC) can tell you what they will or won't require..... BUT.... you'll be moving to a new country, new customers, new environment. I would bet money they will require a business plan.

$5!

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it's an online business selling physical products, but without a brick & mortar location so there shouldn't be any change in income due to relocating.

 

[winbxy]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it's an online business selling physical products, but without a brick & mortar location so there shouldn't be any change in income due to relocating.

you can check the bc pnp website to see if you meet the criteria
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/immigrate-BC/Provincial-Nominee-Program-Home/Business-Immigrants-Home/Regional-Business-Home.aspx

according to my experiences, (I write Business plan for provincial nominee applicant), you need to submit a new business plan to BC officer even thought you intend to relocate your business from U.S ;D

 

[FerreroFive]

What is your business in US and what you are planning to do in Canada? Or you interested for opening of franchise or branch office in Canada?