The Canadian Government has designed the Immigrant Investor Program in order to provide experienced business people and managers with a vehicle that may provide a unique opportunity to immigrate to Canada. The Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1986 by the Canadian Government to attract successful business immigrants to Canada. Since its inception, the Immigrant Investor Program has attracted 18,000 immigrants and over CAN$4 billion in direct investments to Canada. By satisfying certain requirements and investing a pre-determined amount of capital, prospective immigrants and their dependents, (spouse and dependent children, if applicable) can obtain Canadian permanent residence and benefit from Canadian citizenship at a later date. You can qualify at any age. Furthermore, no English or French language tests are required.

To be eligible for the new Investor Program effective November 2010:

1. The investor has, alone or with his accompanying spouse, including de facto spouse, net assets of at least CAD$1,600,000 obtained legally.

Assets acquired through inheritance and gifts (provided they did not occur within six months prior to the date of filing an application) are acceptable to meet the minimum net worth requirement of CAD$1,600,000.

2. The Investor must have management experience by assuming, for at least 2 years in the 5 years preceding the application for a selection certificate, of duties related to the planning, management and control of financial resources and of human or material resources under the investor's authority; the experience does not include the experience acquired in the context of an apprenticeship, training or specialization process attested to by a diploma.

The Investor has experience in management in a legal farming, commercial or industrial business, or in a legal professional business where the staff, excluding the investor, occupies at least the equivalent of 2 full-time jobs, or for an international agency or a government or one of its departments or agencies;

The Investor Program eliminates the requirement that the applicant have management experience in a business that is profitable and also the requirement that the management experience have been full time. This should mean that the Investor Program is now open to professionals, who manage their practice or a business enterprise and also spend part of their work day practicing in their profession. Professionals such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, accountants, lawyers and engineers etc. who operate his/her own professional practices, which employ at least two full time personnel can now qualify as investors.

3. You must undertake to invest a minimum of CAN$800,000 for five years by signing an agreement with an approved Canadian financial intermediary such as a Canadian bank or trust company. This amount will be invested with a government agency in a province to fund a program to assist small and medium sized businesses in the province and for job creation and economic development.

No further investment is required from the investor. At the end of the 5 year term, CAN$800,000 is repaid to the investor without interest. The return of the investment is fully guaranteed by the province participating in the program. The province controls the investment during the five year lock-in period.

There is a financing option available whereby investors can deposit CAN$180,000 and financing can be arranged by a major Canadian bank to assist you in completing the balance of the CAN$800,000 investment. No personal guarantees or collateral are required for the loan. Once the loan is advanced, no future payments of capital and interest are required to service the loan and you will not receive any interest or capital return at maturity at the end of five years. The total cost of this financing package is therefore limited to your initial CAN$180,000 deposit. This disbursement will cover the interest costs for the holding period (5 years), legal fees, registration of the security, and redemption fees to liquidate the transaction as it matures at the end of 5 years. The CAD$180,000 is a single fee covering all expenses related to your immigration investment. No further funds will be required of you at any time. The loan option is a fully legal and hassle free way of financing your immigration investment. Approximately 95% of all investor applicants choose the loan option as described above for the following reasons. The applicant's cash outlay is greatly reduced and the applicant is therefore able to invest this sum in more lucrative investments offering a better return such as real estate or business. The applicant is therefore able to keep his capital working for him in the most efficient and profitable manner.

Under the new Investor Program the processing times will be considerably speeded up and visas for permanent residence to Canada will be issued much quicker than previously. Visas will be issued in approximately 6-12 months.

The participating banks in the Immigrant Investor Program are large, well-known Canadian banks with many offices and branches overseas. They are among the world's largest banking and financial service organizations.

4. Selection interviews with candidates are no longer obligatory. A well documented application would eliminate the interview requirement.

In the past few years, I have attended many Selection interviews with my Investor clients. I am therefore very familiar with the type of questions asked by Interviewers. I can therefore prepare my clients with the correct answers to these questions in advance of the interview. This is an important advantage to have.

I am very careful and cautious before filing an application under the Investor Program to ensure the success of the application and avoid a loss of the processing fees and time.

In 2010 I have prepared and filed many investor applications for permanent residence to Canada with a nearly 100% success rate.

5. You and your dependents must pass a medical exam, obtain police reports and submit to a security evaluation.

Interviews (if required) under the Investor category take place in 4 to 5 months and the entire application process takes approximately 6-12 months. Once approved, the investor receives an unconditional Visa for Permanent Residence to Canada for himself, his spouse and dependent children. No immigration conditions are imposed upon admission to Canada with a visa under the Investor Program. The investor can work, operate a business, or retire. Investors are not required to start a business in Canada.

Once you land in Canada with a permanent resident visa you are permitted to leave Canada for a cumulative period of three years in any five year period without losing your status as a permanent resident. In other words, you must reside in Canada for a cumulative period of two years in any five year period. This gives you flexibility to temporarily live, work, carry on your business interests and travel outside of Canada while still maintaining your status as a permanent resident of Canada.

You, your spouse and dependent children can apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport after three years of residence in Canada. As a result, your grandchildren and future descendents will benefit by becoming Canadian citizens automatically because of your initial acceptance as a permanent resident to Canada under the Investor Program.

After landing,you may use my office address to receive the Permanent Resident cards, social insurance cards, bank cards etc. for you and your family should you wish to return home immediately to wind up your affairs..

I will also provide you with important settlement information after landing such as how to obtain a social insurance number, medicare card, driver's license, bank account, living accommodations etc.

LEONARD SIMCOE, B.A., B.C.L.

Barrister, Solicitor, Advocate

359 Ste. Croix, Suite 204

St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada H4N 2L3

Tel: (514) 739-1108 Fax: (514) 739-0795

E-Mail – Lsimcoe@immigrationattorney.ca