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You can't buy a Canadian passport outright. But you can invest in a path that leads to it. Unlike countries with direct citizenship-by-investment programs, Canada requires permanent residency first. The process is longer but offers greater long-term value, especially for investors and high earners.
Can You Buy a Canadian Passport?
3 Stages to Canadian Citizenship
Top 3 Investment Programs That Lead to PR
Cost Comparison With Other Countries
Pros and Cons of a Canadian Passport
Fast-Track Tips for Citizenship
Programs That Don’t Lead to PR
Why Work With INGWE Immigration
No, you cannot directly buy a Canadian passport. Canada does not offer a citizenship-by-investment program. Instead, Canada follows a structured, multi-stage immigration process designed to promote long-term settlement and integration into Canadian society.
However, there are a few immigration programs that can provide a direct pathway to Permanent Residency (PR). While this still doesn't allow you to "buy" citizenship outright, obtaining PR status is the essential first step toward eventually becoming a Canadian citizen through naturalization.
How It Works
Similar to countries like the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, you must first become a Permanent Resident (PR). Once you’ve accumulated at least three years of physical presence in Canada within a five-year window, you become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
This differs significantly from CBI programs offered by countries like Dominica or Grenada, where citizenship can be secured in just a few months through fixed investments. In Canada, the process takes longer, but the benefits are greater, including one of the world’s most respected passports and access to extensive social, economic, and travel advantages.
Why Agencies Overseas Don’t Offer Canadian Citizenship
Although Canadian citizenship is absolutely achievable, and often faster than in most English-speaking countries in the western hemisphere, many immigration agencies choose to push CBI programs instead. Here’s why:
Lower Commissions – Canada’s programs aren’t as lucrative for agencies.
Longer Processing Times – The PR-to-citizenship pathway takes years, not months.
More Complexity – Selling a Dominica or Grenada passport (4–6 months) is far simpler.
Licensing Requirements – Representing clients for Canadian immigration requires regulated authorization.
To understand the true "cost" of Canadian citizenship, you need to understand the pathway. There are 3 stages of Canadian immigration:
Temporary Residency (e.g., student, visitor, or work permit)
Permanent Residency (PR)
Citizenship
There are only two scenarios where you can bypass this pathway entirely:
- Being born in Canada
- Being born abroad to at least one Canadian parent
For everyone else, there is no shortcut. You must obtain Permanent Residency (PR) before you can qualify for citizenship.
Even if you are sponsored by a Canadian spouse or common-law partner, you still need to go through the PR stage before becoming eligible for citizenship. In other words, for most applicants, the primary goal is reaching Stage 2 (PR) to eventually move on to Stage 3 (Citizenship).
Over the past 10–15 years, most applicants began their Canadian immigration journey through one of three primary routes:
Education Pathway – Studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution and securing local employment after graduation with a PGWP.
Employment Pathway – Entering Canada directly with a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Business Pathway – Obtaining LMIA-exempt work permits meant mainly for entrepreneurs and business owners, such as C10 and C11 categories.
In all cases, applicants typically transitioned from temporary status to Permanent Residency (PR) through the same provincial or federal skilled immigration streams.
However, in the last couple of years, these traditional pathways are becoming increasingly competitive and, for many, less likely to lead directly to PR. Immigration quotas are tightening, and demand far exceeds available spots.
This is why business and investment immigration programs that offer direct Canadian permanent residency (PR) are becoming increasingly popular. While the process isn’t always simple, these programs provide one of the most straightforward pathways to eventual citizenship.
Canada currently offers three investment-based immigration programs that can lead straight to PR and, ultimately, Canadian citizenship:
Eligibility:
French level CLB 7
Net worth: CAD $2M+
2 years of management experience
High school diploma
Investment:
CAD $1M refundable (5 years, government-guaranteed)
CAD $200,000 non-refundable donation
The initial investment of CAD$1,000,000 can be financed for a one-time non-refundable fee through a local intermediary financial institution for approximately CAD$350,000, hence making the combined investment (non-refundable) with the donation amount for a total of CAD$550,000.
Residency requirement:
Within 1 year, the applicant and the family can obtain a work permit to enter Canada (3-year open work permit).
Within 2 years, the applicant should reside 12 months in Quebec to become nominated for Permanent Residency by the province.
18-24 months for the Federal government to process and issue the final Permanent Residency cards.
Timeline: 3–4 years
Geographic restriction
The applicant and dependent family members have to plan to settle in the province of Quebec.
Most provinces and territories have their own provincial entrepreneur programs; however, they all share a similar framework.
Eligibility:
Net worth: CAD $300K–$600K in total assets
3 years business experience
CLB 4–5 language level (except for BC which does not request it upfront but does require it before the final nomination)
Education is not mandatory but can allow the applicant to gain bonus points amongst other factors.
A few provinces such as Nova Scotia have age restrictions, which do not allow applicants over the age of 55 (but most provinces do not have this restriction).
Investment: CAD $100K–$250K (varies by province)
If it's a rural program, the minimum investment can range from CAD$100,000 to CAD$150,000 including BC Rural, Alberta Rural and Nova Scotia Rural programs. All other programs start at CAD$200,000 to CAD$250,000 as a minimum threshold to invest in a new or active business in the province.
Residency requirement: 80% physical presence before PR is issued
During the entire time while the business in Canada is being managed, the main applicant has to be present more than 80% of the time inside the country, and even while the PR is being processed by the Federal government (post-nomination stage). It is important to note that running the business for the minimum required timeline stipulated on the PNP website (such as 6, 12 or 18 months) is not the total combined time that the applicant needs to stay inside Canada, but rather during the Federal government PR processing period which can take up to 2 years, the residency requirement continues.
Timeline: 3–4.5 years
There are multiple stages for the Provincial Entrepreneur programs. The entire process until the final PR is issued can take 3 years to 4.5 years depending on the province, your profile points and likelihood of being invited to participate in the program. This is the biggest drawback of these programs. The minimum time required to obtain a work permit initially from the Expression of Interest stage can take 6-12 months. Running the business inside the province would require either minimum 6, 12 or 18 months depending on the province, and the nomination certificate can take 3-6 months. The final PR processing by the Federal government can take 18-24 months.
Geographic restriction
Applicants and their dependents have to spend more than 80% of the time in the specific province and/or rural region pertaining to the provincial entrepreneur program which they have been selected to run and operate the business.
Eligibility:
CLB 5 language score (English or French)
No age limit or net worth requirement
Must secure endorsement from a Designated Organization
Eligible professional work experience
Minimum settlement funds
Investment: Minimum CAD $200K-250k (includes legal fees and capital)
There is no minimum investment amount, but for most investors and co-founders they would need to consider business startup capital expenses, fees to onboard and join an incubator or other designated organization fees, and the ongoing operational business costs. We don't recommend having less than CAD$250,000 to start unless your business is already profitable, in which case there would not be as much of an initial investment required.
Residency requirement: If the applicant chooses not to apply for an optional 3-year work permit (i.e., they are not an 'essential member'), there is no residency requirement to stay inside Canada until the PR is issued.
Timeline: 3.5 years (priority organizations), 5+ years (non-priority)
Geographic restriction: No geographic restriction as it is a Federal program, except the province of Quebec (which applicants are not allowed to reside or plan to settle in during the processing time to meet the eligibility criteria of this program).
4. So, is it worth it to invest in a Canadian passport in 2025?
Even with ongoing concerns about IRCC processing times, Canadian citizenship remains the fastest and most cost-effective G7 passport accessible through investment.
With the Canadian dollar at a 35-38% discount compared to the USD, and 84-88% discounted to the GBP currency, obtaining a permanent residency in Canada through investment versus the US and the UK would be extremely cheap. Canada offers the cheapest and fastest G7 passport through investment-based PR. Even when you compare Golden Visas in Europe or Dubai, the Canadian programs are cheaper.
|
Country |
Investment |
Citizenship Timeline |
Direct Path? |
|
Canada |
CAD $250K–$550K |
3 years post-PR |
No |
|
USA (EB-5) |
USD $800K+ |
4–6 years |
No |
|
UK |
GBP £1M+ |
4–6 years |
No |
|
New Zealand |
NZD $5M+ |
4–6 years |
No |
|
Portugal |
€500K |
5 years* New changes in process to 10 years* |
No |
|
Dubai |
CAD $750K+ |
No path to citizenship |
No |
The Canadian passport is ranked typically in the top 7 to 10 most powerful passports in the world depending on which ranking report you consider. The Canadian passport allows visa-free access to over 184 countries around the world, and has visa-free access to the USA, more so than any other passport in the world (no ESTA application is required for Canadian citizens).
Seeing the benefits laid out, it's an easy decision. Still, every immigration program has its limitations. It's important to understand the potential disadvantages before deciding if Canadian immigration is right for you.
5. What are the advantages & disadvantages of the Canadian passport?
Pros and Cons of a Canadian Passport
Visa-free access to 184+ countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand.
Pass on citizenship to children even if born abroad
Live and work anywhere in Canada
Exit tax-free: become a non-resident without giving up the passport to minimize taxes and move to another country (this is not possible for American citizens).
Include and lock children's ages under 22 to include them in your original permanent residency application, in order to obtain PR status for them to qualify for citizenship down the line.
Long processing times to obtain permanent residency
Mandatory physical presence in Canada for 3 years within a 5-year period to qualify for citizenship
Heavy economic reliance on the U.S., which can create vulnerabilities
High personal income tax rates (though corporate tax rates are competitive for small businesses)
Challenging weather conditions in most regions—Vancouver being the exception
Rising housing costs in major urban centers, particularly Toronto and Vancouver
Time spent in Canada before PR (on a work or study permit) counts as half-days toward your 3-year requirement
Minor children do not need to meet the residency requirement. They can apply for citizenship when one parent qualifies - (Refer to this government link for the details).
After the main applicant obtains PR status in Canada, the spouse and dependent children can receive PR status, no matter where they are in the world.
After the main applicant and dependent family members have their PR confirmations and subsequently receive their PR cards, each member's citizenship eligibility pathway would be independent.
After PR, you can relocate to any province, even if you immigrated through Quebec or another province.
There are many investor and business immigration programs being promoted in the market for Canada at the moment that do not lead to Permanent Residency under Canadian government immigration policies in 2025. These include:
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
LMIA-exempt permits (C10/C11)
Bilateral investor work permits (CUSMA, CETA)
These programs often require pairing with a separate PR pathway, which, as outlined in this article, are becoming increasingly restrictive. We recommend applying through programs that offer a clear, direct route to permanent residency, rather than relying on temporary entry options that may leave you without a path to stay long-term.
Canadian citizenship through investment represents one of the most cost-effective pathways to obtaining a G7 passport, with investment amounts ranging from CAD$250,000 to CAD$550,000 depending on the program chosen. Unlike many other major English-speaking countries, Canada offers a relatively fast track to citizenship with only a 3-year residency requirement after obtaining PR status.
For investors seeking a powerful passport with global mobility, tax optimization opportunities that allow them to become non-residents, and inter-generational benefits, Canadian citizenship offers exceptional value. However, success requires careful program selection, proper planning for residency obligations, excellent legal support from an experienced team, and realistic expectations about timelines and requirements. Those considering this path should work with licensed immigration professionals to navigate the complex requirements and avoid costly mistakes that could jeopardize their investment and immigration goals.
At INGWE, we make complex immigration strategies simple and actionable. With almost a decade of hands-on experience in the Startup Visa space, we work closely with all designated organizations in the program and know the process inside and out. From refining your business idea to managing your PR application, we support every stage of the journey.
We don’t support fake startups. We build real teams set up for long-term success.
Our firm is licensed, globally recognized, and multilingual. We've supported clients from 55+ nationalities, offering personalized guidance at every step. We conduct in-depth pre-assessments and tailor investment strategies to ensure your immigration plan aligns with your global objectives.
📞 Book a 1-on-1 Consultation → https://ingwe.ca/store-alias
📝 Fill Out Pre-Assessment Form → https://ingwe.ca/contact-us
Your second passport starts with the right decision today!
