Investors are those with a net worth of at least $800,000 and a willingness to invest $400,000 through the Receiver General of Canada. They are reimbursed five years after landing in Canada.

REQUIREMENTS:

Investors are part of the class of independent immigrants, which includes skilled workers, entrepreneurs and the self-employed.

Investor immigrants are people who:

• have at least two years' experience in management or control of a business, or in managing at least five full-time workers

• have legally obtained a net worth of at least $800,000, and

• indicate in writing to an immigration officer that they intend to make or have made an investment in Canada.

"Net worth" in this case means the fair market value of all of the assets of the investor and spouse or common-law partner, minus the fair market value of all of their liabilities.

When and How to Pay Your Investment (external link)

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1,766 immigrants entered Canada as investors out of 250,346 immigrants in 2001.

These investor immigrants brought 4,565 dependents (including spouses, children, parents) with them to Canada.

Three-quarters of immigrants end up in Ontario or British Columbia.

SOURCES: 1996 Census Facts and Figures 2001: Immigration Overview

Business applicants (entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed) must submit applications to one of the following visa offices: Beijing, Berlin, Buffalo, Damascus, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Seoul or Singapore.

Addresses of Business Immigration Centres (external link)