Canada’s Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is looking to take advantage of the debate currently surrounding the future of the United States’ immigration programme by targeting overseas entrepreneurs who are looking to set up businesses.
This weekend, Minister Kenney is heading to Silicon Valley, California, to directly target high-tech entrepreneurs through a new Canadian visa programme. Launched last month, the Start-Up Visa offers immediate permanent residency to qualifying foreigners who manage to secure financial backing from Canadian investors.
Technology Entrepreneurs
The Canadian Minister will be attending the TiECON conference, a major gathering of entrepreneurs with strong ties to the South Asian business community, including India, in his bid to sell Canada as an up and coming destination for business start ups.
Currently, America’s visa and business programmes tend to only offer temporary residency for technology-based start-ups, and Canada is hoping they can attract entrepreneurs away from America and turn Canada into a hub for technology businesses and workers.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has even erected advertising board on a highway that connects the San Francisco airport and Silicon Valley, making clear the benefits of moving a business to Canada. The board features the image of a huge maple leaf, along with the words: “H1-B problems? Pivot to Canada. New Start-up Visa. Low Taxes.”
Related Articles
Canada launches new entrepreneur visa (2nd April 2013)