I am sure you have heard many questions about the Canada SUV program. Some people say that they have failed to attain the PR through this program, some even say that it’s a fake program. Truth is, SUV has a successful rate of over 70% worldwide and the number of applicants attaining PR is increasing every year. Of course, you might not hear a lot of people talking about their case successfully getting PR through SUV, the main reason is most applicants are well established individuals and it’s just not something they would brag about.

One questions we get a lot is, is it really not required for the applicant to land in Canada prior to attaining the PR? The answer is yes, as most startups going through the SUV program are tech startups, there’s no geographical constraints when it’s an online business. Of course, it wouldn’t harm to get a work permit and visit Canada occasionally  to run your business, but it’s not compulsory.

In fact, SUV is likely the only program that does not require the applicant to stay in Canada while waiting for the PR to be approved. Assuming you are a rather established person with high income and time cost, SUV is possibly the best option as you get to stay in your home country, maintaining your income and business while IRCC process your PR. Comparatively, we can take a look at LMIA, study permit or different PNP, they all require the applicant to either work in Canada or study in Canada, thus you will lose your original income source if you choose those programs. 

You might ask, how about the Quebec investor program, isn’t it a better option? Well, you will have to make a 5 years interests free loan of CAD 1,000,000 in addition to a donation of CAD 200,000 to the Quebec government. Even if money isn’t a concern, you need to know French and pass the language exam, so that’s the end of story for most people.

Of course, I am not saying that SUV is suitable for everyone. It depends on your family’s situation, personal and working background as well as financial situation. I hope you can find an immigration program that suits you best and move to Canada successfully.

This passage is for reference only. Please consult professionals for advice.