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I thought to myself, "that can't be right". And no, it seems like it's actually crazier[1], but see caveats[2]. You need $1.3M (USD) in minimum net worth: > In order to be admitted into the Quebec Investor Program 2018, foreign investors must have a legally obtained minimum net worth of CAD $1.6 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), either individually or combined with their spouse or partner. Assets that may be included when calculating net worth include real estate, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, as well as pension funds. Under the Quebec program for investors, inherited assets are classified as legally obtained, however, donation or inheritance money must have been received at least six months prior to launching a QIIP application. As of January 2018, $1.6 million Canadian dollars is equivalent to approximately USD 1.3 million, So, wait, what about the loan then? You only need $800k CAD (~$600k USD): > Applicants for Canada investor immigration must sign an agreement stating their intention to make a government guaranteed CAD $800,000 investment in Quebec through a financial intermediary authorized to participate in the QIIP. This prescribed investment in a five-year term note is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Government of Quebec, and in accordance with the provisions of the program, the money is returned in full after five years with 0% interest. But wait, maybe you don't want to have to sell all your assets to make that loan to Canada? What if someone else with money to spare could give Canada the money on your behalf? I mean, it's clear you can pay, right (since you're a millionaire), and the loan is guaranteed by the Canadian government. The only thing that would be missing is the interest one would make on the loan normally, so, what if… > Over the last decade, a significant percentage of the Quebec and Canada Immigrant Investor Program participants have financed their investment in the country. Investors who do not wish to liquidate assets in order to come up with the required C$800,000 can finance the investment through an authorized Canadian financial intermediary for a one-time loan payment of ~$220,000 CAD, which includes all interest and fees. This means that as of January 2018, the "true cost" of obtaining a Canada investor visa is only around 175,000 American dollars, Now, there are a few more gotchas (you have to intend to settle in Quebec, you must "have acquired at least two years of full-time business management experience in the past five years", …). But, wow. [1]: http://www.investorimmigrationcanada.com/ [2]: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle... seems like a more official site. They list the number as $2M CAD ($1.5M USD) in net worth and $1.2M CAD investment (~$900k USD). But it does seem to confirm "financing". So, the theory seems sound, but there's perhaps some haggling over price. /s … sorta. |