According to the World Journal in Canada, immigration service providers have revealed that there is a trend of increasing thresholds for investment immigration in Canada, with new regulations expected to be implemented as early as this fall. Providers also stated that the processing time for applications could be shortened, and applicants should prepare their documents early, ensuring that the sources and records of their net assets are clear and detailed; if they wish to submit applications under the old regulations before the new ones take effect, they should do so before June.
The federal government has provided a proposal to raise the investment immigration threshold for the self-managed immigration affairs of Quebec Province as of January 15 this year. It is reported that the proposal to raise the investment immigration threshold may include net assets of CAD 1.2 million with an investment of CAD 600,000; net assets of CAD 1.5 million with an investment of CAD 750,000; and net assets of CAD 2 million with an investment of CAD 1 million.
This proposal is expected to be implemented as early as this fall. Even if the government raises the investment immigration threshold, it may actually benefit those who are genuinely interested in investment immigration. With the increased threshold, the government can attract applicants with "substantial assets and good backgrounds," leading to a reduction in cases and preventing the current situation where applications far exceed the quota, thus accelerating the approval process for applications.
For those interested in applying for investment immigration, the average net assets are often between CAD 2 million and CAD 3 million. Therefore, the government's increase in the investment immigration threshold should not adversely affect genuine applicants. However, applicants should be aware that the sources and records of their net assets must be detailed and clear, and it is advisable to prepare the data as early as possible.
Under the current system, the number of applications far exceeds the quota, resulting in lengthy approval times. Currently, applications for federal investment immigration take about 31 months, while those for Quebec take approximately one and a half to two years. In 2009, there were already 4,600 applications for both federal and Quebec, far exceeding the total quota of 2,500 to 3,200 cases. Under the current system, applicants must provide proof of net assets of over CAD 800,000 and must invest CAD 400,000 in Canada.
Statistics show that as of March 24, 2010, Chinese immigrants accounted for 74% of investment immigrants in Canada. The primary reason for investment immigration is often related to children's education. Data also indicates that the average cost for each immigrant family to settle and purchase property upon arrival is between CAD 700,000 and CAD 800,000, with 90% of immigrants purchasing single-family homes or condominiums. "Almost every week, new immigrants arrive, and new immigrants continue to invest in properties, which, in the long run, is a reason for the resilience of housing prices."
Analysis shows that Canada's investment immigration is more competitive than that of Australia and the United States in terms of investment funds, cultural and natural environments, education, and healthcare systems.
