Prashant Ajmera

Prashant Ajmera & Associates
185 Braebrook Ave., Pointe Claire QC H9R 1V4 Canada 
Tel: (514) 697 1597; Fax: (514) 697 9279 E-mail: pajmera@canadaimmigrationvisa.com

www.canadaimmigrationvisa.com

                          Farmers - Welcome to Canada!

In last century thousands of European farmers made Canada their home and they played a significant role in building this country. Once again the Canadian government has opened its doors to farmers who are ready to make an investment and engage in farming activities in Canada.

In the farming industry, changes are happening fast as many farmers near the retirement age and sell their land to others who are expanding to stay competitive. The average age of a Canadian farmer is 57 years and the median retirement age is 66 years. Between 1998 and 2001, Canada lost more than a quarter of its farm workers, the largest decline in 35 years, according to a recent Statistics Canada survey.

Under the new immigration regulations, farmers are once again welcomed to immigrate to Canada under different immigration programs. The new generation of farmer families are not interested in joining the family business and hence Canada requires farmers to carry on farming in the country.

The Quebec immigration program is especially interesting since it offers many incentives to farmers in terms of processing time and the value of net assets required.   

Requirements:

1. The farmers must be managing a farm for more than three years before making an application to immigrate to Canada.

2. The farmers must show a minimum of $300,000 CD in net assets that have been legally acquired by them either through business or family inheritance, if they plan to immigrate to Canada under the Quebec immigration program.

However, more money the applicant can show, the better the chances for immigration. Under other immigration programs, the required value of assets is $500,000 CD and above.

3. Farmers must purchase a farm in Canada and employ one person to work on the farm other than their family members.

 Process:

1. Application has to be made along with visa fees and supporting documents like ownership documents, business documents, valuation of farm etc. 

2. File number is received within 2-3 months.

3. After file number is assigned, the applicant is called for an immigration interview within 12-14 months time at an immigration post.  

However, before attending the interview, farmers are required to visit Canada to undertake a survey of Canadian farms and learn about Canadian farming practices. They must stay in Canada for few weeks to visit farms and other farming related activities like trade shows. Based on the interview letter from the Quebec government, the applicants should not have difficulty in obtaining a visitor visa for Canada.  

The applicants are also required to devise a business plan of the proposed farming business in Canada.

4. Once approval is obtained for applicants applying under the Quebec immigration program, a second application along with visa fees has to be made to the Federal government for medical and security clearance.

5. Visa fees:  

Quebec government fees to be sent with the application (if applying  under Quebec immigration program): $700 CD for main applicant and $100 CD for each family member.
Canada government visa fees: $2025 CD for main applicant, $1525 CD for spouse and $150 CD for each dependent child under 22 years of age.  

Our firm can assist immigrant farmers to find suitable farms in Canada, preparing business plans and conduct necessary surveys to start a farming business in Canada.

For More  Information about Canada immigration Please Contact : 
Prashant Ajmera & Associates
185 Braebrook Ave., Pointe Claire QC H9R 1V4 Canada 
Tel: (514) 697 1597; Fax: (514) 697 9279 E-mail: pajmera@canadaimmigrationvisa.com