Canada Opens Start-up Visa

08 Apr 2013

Quebec Skilled Worker deadline also extended

April is the month of change when it comes to the immigration policy of the Canadian government. Whilst a brand new immigration programme kicked off on April 1, the government of Quebec announced the extension of another one.

The Start-up Visa Programme

On April 1st, the new Start-up Visa Program officially opened for applications.

Immigrant entrepreneurs hoping to launch innovative businesses in Canada and attain permanent resident status can apply under this programme.

To apply for permanent resident status in Canada, the foreign entrepreneur must first secure a significant investment commitment from a designated Canadian angel investor group or venture capital fund.

Applicants must also demonstrate language proficiency skills at a Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing, and have at least one year of education at a post-secondary institution.

The Start-Up Visa Programme is a pilot program that will run for five years.

Quebec Immigration Programmes

Last week, the government of Quebec announced that it will extend it will extend the duration of the current Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) programme.

The government of Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and skilled workers can apply under this program, provided they comply with the criteria.

Although the programme is initially scheduled to accept applications until March 31, this deadline has been extended to July 31.

It is expected that after this date the programme will undergo some changes and in this light, the extension is beneficial for those applicants who were in the process of completing their applications under the current criteria.

On July 31, the government of Quebec is also expected to re-open the Quebec Investor and Quebec Entrepreneur and Self-Employed programmes, which have seen a temporary ban.

It is not clear at this point if any changes have been made to the programme.

Other announcements expected to be made this month are regarding the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and include the cap on the number of applications to be accepted this year, a list of priority occupations, and information on designated educational assessment organizations.

Source: http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/canada-opens-start-up-visa-2013-04-06-1.501457