R I C H

Quite right. Immigration wanted me to make financial investment prior to determining if the application had merit.

Shard

Was the border officer female ?

Former Lancastrian

Your route was very rarely used but it still can be used as per this

For applicants who do not intend to reside permanently in Canada, R205(a) may be difficult to satisfy if the profits and economic spin-offs generated by the enterprise do not remain in the Canadian economy. However, there will be situations where the business or the intended period of work is genuinely temporary, i.e., the applicant intends to leave Canada after starting a business, and either close the business (it being seasonal), or hire a Canadian to operate it. Significant benefit must still be demonstrated. However, benefit to a self-employed worker's Canadian clients may also be considered in this case, particularly if the worker is providing a unique service. If the applicant intends to start or buy a business where their own temporary status may be indefinite (i.e., permanent), officers should encourage the person to apply for permanent residence. There may also be self-employed workers who can demonstrate significant social or cultural benefits who intend to work in Canada for only a temporary period.

R I C H

I met 3 officers. Their outward appearances suggested dangly genitalia, but I didn't formally verify.

R I C H

Yep, that was the route. Proving 'significant benefit' was the most difficult element, as there's no official determination of what that actually means or requires, just a case by case judgement.

Shirtback

Thank you for giving the details . I had no idea this possibility existed.

Former Lancastrian

TBH its not a route that is commonly used and doing it today and showing up at a POE like R I C H did is not something I suggest anyone does as there are very few if any legacy CIC officers working at the POEs and the level of knowledge by some CBSA officers leaves a lot to be desired.

Parnell

Would expect the political wrath if they got it wrong and turned away an economic immigrant could lead to immediate PR opportunity.
But good point you have raised FL

R I C H

My meeting with CIC was arranged by an immigration lawyer, so there was at least a degree of certainty that an individual able to determine the suitability of my application was available. Giving a heads up to CIC also provided us with some feedback regarding the sort of documentation that was required.

Shard

I entered recently on a UK pp but had my expired Canadian pp with me (about 3 years expired). The young officer was quite suspicious and concerned about my 'different' passport, until he showed it to a senior officer who explained it was totally normal and they all used to be like that.

rivingtonpike

You really think so? From what I've read, the last thing Canada seems to be doing is overtly encouraging immigrants unless they are forced to by humanitarian pressures or a genuine shortage of a particular skill. I doubt economic migrants are particularly high up their wish list - at least turning up at a POE with a good idea and a bag of cash.

R I C H

Canada's smarter than that. I had to spend my back of swag (including $80k of GST that went to govt) before getting access to an interview with CIC to determine if I could receive a TWP or not. Seems a good scheme for Canada, but not necessarily for those willing to take the risk.

Parnell

Your interpretation of economic immigrant is different to mine. Mine is on migration with economic capacity to add value to destination, not as you may have interpreted to migrate for economic benefit off/from destination.

Aviator

That may be a tad delusional.

rivingtonpike

The processing times for the Investor route (Federal) is 87 months and for the Self Employed (Federal) CIC are saying 110 months! That seems like an awfully long time to me. Is that really how long it takes someone? That's about 9 years. There must be easier places to move to (with, presumably, your bag (make that large bag) of cash).