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As a foreign entrepreneur, is it more beneficial to use a provincial nominee program or the national entrepreneur Start-Up Visa Program in Canada?

I'm an entrepreneur from Vietnam and I am considering starting my own business in Canada. I heard that the New Brunswick’s provincial program has been replaced with the New Brunswick Entrepreneurial Stream. What is the difference? Can I move outside of the province once my business is launched? Also, what are the benefits of investing in the national entrepreneur Start-Up Visa Program instead of using a provincial nominee program?


Answers
  • JTH Lawyers Inc.
    July 18, 2018

    There are several business streams for Canada, and although I understand the marketing made in Vietnam regarding NB-PNP, options are not limited to the two you mention. The federal startup visa allows you to set up your business in any province (except Quebec), where the different nominee programs that most Canadian provinces offer would lead you to invest in their own province. Which program is best? This question is impossible to answer with such limited information, because it would depend on so many factors determined by your own objectives, both personal and professional. My advice would be to invest in a one-hour consultation with an experienced licensed immigration lawyer who could best advise you based on your particular project for Canada, because each program has its pros and cons and general information is never as pertinent as tailor-made solutions. You may keep in mind as well to immigrate through a passive investment scheme in order to get unconditional PR, then take your time to start your business at your own pace without risk of losing your status in Canada if your business project were to fail.

  • Exeo Attorneys
    August 21, 2018

    Unless you get financing from an approved financial institution or admission in an approved business incubator, you will not be eligible for the startup visa program. If you wish to establish your own business with your own funds without going through a venture capital fund or a business incubator, it is likely better for you to look into a PNP Program or the Quebec immigrant entrepreneur program. Finally, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program also provides an interesting alternative.