Applying as a Business Immigrant - Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-Employed Persons

Regular process

The application forms below are offered in PDF format. For more information or to download the appropriate viewer, check the Help page.

This application includes:

Note: Quebec has its own business immigration program. Business applicants in all three classes intending to settle in the province of Quebec should contact the nearest Quebec immigration office abroad.

IMPORTANT

Investor Program

The Federal Immigrant Investor Program is now closed as 700 complete applications have been received at the Centralized Intake Office.  This new annual cap was introduced through ministerial instructions, which came into force on July 1, 2011. The cap will reset on July 1, 2012, unless otherwise indicated in a future ministerial instruction. The cap does not apply to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.

Entrepreneur Program

Note: On July 1, 2011, CIC will temporarily stop accepting new applications for the federal Entrepreneur program. Only applications received by CIC before July 1, 2011 will be processed. This temporary pause in accepting new applications will continue until further notice

There are two different processes for business immigrants who want to become permanent residents: the regular process and the simplified application process. As of September 1, 2006, all applicants must use the simplified application process unless they:

  • are applying as an investor; or
  • have been selected by Quebec; or
  • have a legal temporary resident status in Canada as workers or students and are submitting their application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo; or
  • have a legal status in the United States and are submitting their applications at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

I qualify for the simplified application process.

If you do not qualify for the simplified application process, follow the steps listed above.

Note: As of July 18, 2011, applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete the new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). Applicants are encouraged to complete the form electronically and validate the information to generate 2D barcodes before printing. To ensure you have the most recent application form, please use the link to the application form.

How to use this application package

Read the instruction guide to complete your application forms

  • Use the new Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]. It can be completed and saved on a computer. You will need Adobe Reader 8.1 or higher.
  • Filling the form electronically is easier and reduces the risk of errors that can slow down the application process.
  • Trouble downloading? Right-click on the link and select ‘Save Target As...’

Complete, validate, print, sign and date your application forms

To ensure you submit all the pages:

IMM 0008:

  1. Click on the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.

    Note: Validating the form before printing ensures you have answered all the questions and will avoid delays in processing your application.

  2. A last page with barcodes and a signature line will automatically be created.
  3. Print, sign and date the form.
    • Print on white, bond-quality and non-glossy paper
    • Use of a laser printer is recommended
  4. Place the barcode page on the top of each individual package.

Other forms:

Use the Document Checklist to make sure you include all the other forms and documents you need.

Pay the fees

Mail your fully completed application.

For applicants in the investor program, send your completed application to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

For applicants in the entrepreneur or self-employed program, send your completed application to the Canadian visa office.

Find out more about the barcode form.