Ottawa's Startup Visa Program will fast-track new Canadians
An immigration lawyer in Windsor is praising new federal policy that would fast-track new Canadians into the country if they are potential entrepreneurs.
The Startup Visa Program was first announced by Jason Kenney in late January but Finance Minister Jim Flaherty emphasized the policy Wednesday when he dropped the budget.
The program is designed to be a completely different and effective replacement of the Federal Entrepreneurial Program.
"We’re going after the best and brightest. I don’t think you can ever make a mistake when that’s the objective," Eddie Kadri said. "You have, essentially, a Dragon's Den philosophy but on a more narrow approach but on an international scale."
To be eligible, immigrant entrepreneurs at a minimum must:
Demonstrate Intermediate proficiency in English or French.
Complete at least one year of post-secondary education.
Receive a minimum funding commitment of $200,000 from a designated venture capital organization or $75,000 from an approved angel Investor.
The program is designed to allow new Canadians permanent residence status more quickly.
"Business runs at a certain speed, and unfortunately with our immigration system, there was no recognition of that prior to this new program coming about," Kadri said.
Kadri said people were caught in "a bureaucratic and onerous system for years."
Approximately one quarter of Windsor's population was born outside Canada. It's one of the most diverse cities in Canada.
Flaherty called the program the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
"So that potential immigrants with the right skills can move here faster. So that new Canadians can integrate quickly and find and keep good employment or start successful businesses that add to Canada's prosperity," he said Wednesday.
Ottawa will work with Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association and the Canadian National Angel Capital Organization, which will act as "vetters" of the applicants.
The idea is that this will streamline process and make it more efficient for those who are legitimate entrepreneurs.
Kadri expects anyone who qualifies for the program would gain their permanent residence status in approximately six months.
"Six months, may still seem like a long period of time, but that’s light years ahead of what entrepreneurs were facing," he said.
