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Permanent Residence:
Investment

Some individuals will use investment as a route to Permanent Residence in Canada.

The Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1986 by the Government of Canada to promote the immigration of business people to Canada from around the world. At present, there are two routes to immigrate to Canada by way of investment: the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program and the Provincial Nominee Program for Entrepreneurs. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is specifically designed for experienced management professionals who desire to immigrate to Canada and settle in Quebec. The Provincial Nominee Program for Entrepreneurs was created to permit the other provinces of Canada to actively manage immigrant selection in accordance with provincial plans and priorities.

If the Canadian investor programs are not suitable for you, the United States and several other countries offer residence and passport programs for international investors. Our international expertise means we are able to assist with a wide variety of international programs to assist investors in choosing the right program to suit their circumstances.
Please visit the following pages to learn more:

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is open to certain qualified French-speaking investors who undertake to live in Quebec and make a passive investment of $1,000,000 and a contribution of $200,000.

The investment amount may be financed through certain authorized intermediaries. The investor must meet requirements, including having a net worth of at least $2,000,000, having management experience, meeting French language proficiency requirements, and holding a minimum level of education. If a notice of intent to be selected is issued, the investor will be able to apply for a work permit. The investor must complete a stay in Quebec following which a Quebec Selection Certificate can be issued, allowing the investor to apply for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Program-Entrepreneur

The Provincial Nominee Program is a joint-program involving the provinces of Canada and the federal government, permitting provinces to design their own immigration programs and actively manage immigrant selection in accordance with provincial plans and priorities.

Applicants to all provincial nominee programs must meet federal admissibility criteria in order to enter Canada. Applicants seeking a provincial nomination from any one of the participating provinces must first ensure they meet the program criteria specific to that province, and make their applications in two parts: first to the provincial program administration and then to the federal government department responsible for immigrant selection.
Each province may run multiple programs at different times during the year based on their own needs and goals. Program requirements vary widely and are subject to change at any time.

Citizenship by Investment

If the Canadian Investor program is not suitable and if there is not an appropriate investor program in the United States, many people will consider other immigration by investment: Antigua and Barbuda, Portugal and Spain to name the most popular.

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean.

With numerous beaches with clean turquoise waters, the lush islands of Antigua and Barbuda is an inviting paradise and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. In addition to its position as a top western destination for travel, Antigua & Barbuda is a safe haven for those seeking a secure and stable second home nation. Antigua and Barbuda provides the opportunity for investors to acquire citizenship without any complicated residency requirements.

The Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) was established following parliamentary assent to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2014. The Citizenship by Investment Program requires a person to make a significant economic contribution to the country. In exchange, the applicants and their families are granted citizenship. This economic citizenship program facilitates comfort of visa-free travel to more than 100 countries.

Foreign nationals including their spouse, dependent children, and parents and grandparents over 65 years can obtain citizenship via one application. Applicants are subject to strict application procedures, including thorough background checks. There are no specific requirements pertaining to business experience, and there is a residency requirement of only 5 days in the first five years of citizenship.

To qualify for citizenship, the applicant must meet the application requirements and select one of the following three investment options;

  • Make a monetary contribution of US$250,000 to the National Development Fund or an approved Charity.
  • Minimum US$400,000 in pre-approved real estate development area and to be held for a minimum period of 5 years.
  • An investment of a minimum of US$1,500,000 directly into an eligible business as a sole investor or a joint investment involving at least 2 persons in an eligible business totalling at least US$5,000,000 and each of those persons individually invests at least US$400,000.

Portugal

The Portuguese Golden Visa Program offers investors from outside the European Union (EU) a gateway to Europe.

In exchange for an investment in the Portuguese economy, the program offers a temporary residence permit for one year that is renewable for two-year periods afterwards. This provides investors with a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship. Investors can establish themselves in one of Europe’s oldest nations – a place where history and modernity meet, with high technology and a high standard of living. At the same time, the minimal residency requirements and access to 25 other Schengen Area countries, the Golden Visa opens up an entire continent.

Requirements of the Golden Visa Program

  • Enter Portugal while holding a valid Schengen Visa
  • Apply for the Golden Visa within 90 days of first entry into Portugal
  • Spend at least seven days in Portugal in the first year and fourteen days in each subsequent two-year renewal period
  • Make a real-estate investment in Portugal of at least €500,000
  • There is also an option to qualify by transferring €1 million in capital to Portuguese banks or making an investment that creates at least 10 jobs in Portugal​

Attractions/Benefits of the Golden Visa Program

  • Residency in a modern EU nation
  • Access to 25 other Schengen countries
  • Favorable tax incentives for Portuguese and foreign income
  • No inheritance tax for immediate family members
  • Flexible investment terms
  • Qualified applicants may be eligible for Portuguese Citizenship after six years​

Spain

The Spanish Golden Visa Program offers investors from outside the European Union (EU) a gateway to Europe.

In exchange for an investment in the Spanish economy, the program offers a temporary residence permit for one year that is renewable for up to five years, providing investors with a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship. Investors can establish themselves in one of Europe’s oldest countries with a storied history, a modern economy and a high quality of life. At the same time, the minimal residency requirements and access to 25 other Schengen Area countries, the Golden Visa opens up an entire continent.

Requirements of the Golden Visa Program

  • Enter Spain while holding a valid Schengen Visa
  • Make a real-estate investment in Spain of at least €500,000 prior to application
  • Investment may in a single property or portfolio of properties
  • Option to qualify by transferring €1 million in capital, creating jobs in Spain, or by buying Spanish bonds worth €2 million
  • No minimum stay requirements​

Attractions/Benefits of the Golden Visa Program

  • Residency in a modern EU nation
  • Access to 25 other Schengen countries
  • Favorable tax incentives for Spanish and foreign income
  • No inheritance tax for immediate family members
  • Qualified applicants may be eligible for Spanish Permanent Residency after 5 years and Spanish Citizenship after another 5 years.

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