New Entrepreneur Visa Will Attract Business Leaders to Canada

On January 24th, 2013, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will be launching a new program dedicated to helping promising entrepreneurs open their businesses in Canada. Since the announcement, the Start-Up Visa Program has been labeled “historic”, and a “first of its kind” endeavor that will put Canada on the map for innovation and leadership in business development.

“Our new Start-Up Visa will help make Canada the destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest to launch their companies,” said Minister Kenney. “Recruiting dynamic entrepreneurs from around the world will help Canada remain competitive in the global economy.”

What is the Start-Up Visa?

The Start-Up Visa Program will begin accepting applications on April 1st, 2013. It is the newest program to fall under the business category of Canadian immigration. Specific information for individuals interested in applying has yet to be detailed. However, the most important – and original – aspect of the program has already been outlined at length.

At the heart of the Start-Up Visa Program is its plan to link successful applicants with mentor organizations in Canada. Designated organizations have extensive experience working with start-ups. They will provide guidance and business expertise to help visa recipients enter the Canadian labour market once they have arrived in the country.

Mentor organizations will be chosen from members of an umbrella group. Two such groups have already been identified: the National Angel Capital Organization and Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association. CIC has already begun working with these two groups to designate qualified member organizations that will participate in the Start-Up Visa Program. One additional group, the Canadian Association of Business Incubation, has also been tapped to pinpoint eligible business incubation organizations.

Individuals who wish to apply to this program will have to establish a partnership with a designated organization before submitting an application. If successful, they will receive Canadian permanent residency as well as the institutional support needed to succeed in their new home.


Business Immigration in Canada

The Start-Up Visa Program is the newest addition to a range of options available for businesspeople who wish to immigrate to Canada. In total, CIC anticipates that approximately 8,600 business immigration visas will be issued in 2013.

Currently, entrepreneurs can also immigrate to Canada through a range of provincial nomination programs.
Business immigrants are held in high esteem in Canada, as they help to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Through the creation of the Start-Up Visa Program, the Canadian government has once again demonstrated that it places a high premium on attracting these valuable immigrants to its shores.

Countdown to the Reopening of the Federal Skilled Worker Program

January, 2013

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced that the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will begin accepting applications on May 4th, 2013. In anticipation of this opening date, many prospective immigrants from around the world have already begun preparing their applications for submission.
Pressure on FSWP hopefuls increased when CIC announced that “the new FSWP will accept a fixed number of applications this year”, affirming that a cap would be placed on application intake. While an exact figure has not yet been announced, some proactive individuals have wasted no time in taking steps to ensure that their applications will be ready for speedy submission in May.

With just over three months left before the FSWP reopens, the clock is ticking for people wishing to prepare their applications. While some program details are forthcoming, most program requirements have been clearly explained by CIC. With this in mind, CIC News has compiled a summary of where the FSWP stands as of January 30th, 2013:

Eligibility Requirements
Selection criteria for the FSWP have been reworked to better target immigrants who are likely to succeed in Canada. Based on information provided by CIC, individuals must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply:

• Have at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in the last 10 years;
• Demonstrate at least adequate-intermediate language proficiency in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) in English or French. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7;
• Obtain at least 67 points on the new point grid, which is based on factors such as language proficiency, age, work experience, education, and adaptability; and
• Have any foreign educational credentials assessed, authenticated, and given an equivalent value in Canada

Vision Consultancy Services, encourages eligible applicants to act quickly in order to ensure that their applications are accepted for review.

Language Proficiency

One important element of the new FSWP is the language requirement. In order to prove language proficiency, applicants will need to submit scores from an exam issued by a designated testing agency. Three organizations have been designated to administer tests that will be used for Canadian immigration purposes: the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), and the Test D’evaluation du Français (TEF).

Individuals who do not pass a minimum language threshold (Canadian Level Benchmark 7) in all skill levels will not be eligible to apply.

The time it will take to schedule and sit a test, as well as to receive and send results, can vary depending on the language test taken and an individual’s current place of residency.

The IELTS English exam, results of which are accepted as proof of English-language proficiency, is held around the world multiple times a year. Testing frequency varies depending on sites, with tests being held up to four times a month in popular locations.

Once a test has been completed, the IELTS organization states that results will be posted by mail in 13 days. In total, individuals can expect the language testing process to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months until results are obtained. CIC will only accept applications to the FSWP if official test scores are included.

Credential Assessment

Another important new component of the FSWP is the requirement to have all foreign credentials assessed, authenticated, and given an equivalent value in Canada. Like language test scores, credential assessments must be included in an application to the FSWP.

CIC has announced that specific Canadian organizations will be designated to perform assessments. However, more details regarding which organizations will be designated, as well as how the process will take place, have yet to be announced.

In Conclusion

When the FSWP opens its doors on May 4th, 2013, hopeful immigrants from around the world will be sending in their applications for Canadian permanent residency. The program’s high popularity, combined with anticipated limits to application intake and visa issuance, will likely result in a many prospective immigrants missing out on their chance for immigration in 2013. Thankfully, those who are committed to beginning their Canadian immigration journey can benefit from having the initiative to act quickly and take charge of their future.