Canada Citizenship by Investment for US Citizens: A 2025 Guide

Introduction

For US citizens, Canada presents an attractive quality of life with universal healthcare, a stable political climate, a strong economy, and enhanced safety. Currently, over one million US citizens are living in Canada, with an increasing number of citizens considering their immigration options.

In this article, we explore pathways to Canada citizenship by investment for US citizens as a key option for immigrating to Canada and gaining a second passport. We’ll cover:

Is there a direct Canada citizenship by investment program for US citizens?

Canada doesn’t offer a direct Canada citizenship by investment program for US citizens like some other countries. However, it does have pathways to permanent residency and ultimately citizenship through various business and investment-based immigration programs.

These programs are designed to benefit the Canadian economy and require applicants to make an investment in Canada, either through business ventures or a financial contribution.

Benefits of Canada Citizenship by Investment for US Citizens

Holding a Canadian passport offers US citizens compelling benefits and legal rights, including significant savings on healthcare and education expenses, and the right to vote.

Based on our Global Passport Index, Canada ranks 14th, which can add to US citizens’ existing passport power.
The benefits that come with being a Canadian citizen include:
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  • Global mobility: A Canadian passport gives you access to 177 Canada visa-free countries, which is excellent for visa free travel or business. Canada also borders the US, allowing ease of travel.
  • High quality of life: Citizens enjoy well-paid jobs, good pensions, and a prosperous future, with major cities like Vancouver ranking highly on livability indices.
  • World-class healthcare: Healthcare in the United States is almost twice as expensive as in Canada. The Canadian government provides extensive healthcare coverage for citizens and permanent residents.
  • Advanced education system: According to our Global Education Report, Canada is among the top five best countries for higher education. Citizens have access to renowned schools for themselves and their family members.
  • Family inclusion: Canada’s immigration programs allow for certain family members, such as spouses and children, to be included in the application.
  • Dual citizenship: The United States and Canada both allow dual citizenship. This means that US nationals can hold citizenship in Canada without renouncing their US citizenship. Dual citizenship Canada increases mobility, job security, and economic opportunity.

Pathways to Canada citizenship by investment for US citizens

Canada doesn’t have a program where you can simply buy citizenship by making a one-time investment. Instead, they offer pathways to citizenship through permanent residency programs.

The permanent residence pathways to Canada citizenship by investment include the Startup Visa program and the Québec Immigration Investor Program. Through these permanent residency programs, you can still become a Canadian citizen by investing in the country’s economy.

Canada Startup Visa Program

The Canada Startup Visa program lets foreign entrepreneurs become permanent residents by starting and running a business that benefits the Canadian economy.

The Canada Startup Visa program requires you to:

– Provide a strong business plan that clearly indicates the venture’s scalability, potential for expansion, target market, and ability to create jobs.
– Obtain a letter of support from a designated business organization.
– Prove sufficient settlement funds.
– Receive permanent resident status in one to two years after receiving a letter of support for your Canadian business.
– Meet the requirements to obtain citizenship in Canada after maintaining permanent residency.
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What is the minimum investment for the Startup Visa?

The Canada Startup Visa doesn’t require applicants to invest their own money. Instead, they must secure funding or support from a designated organization, with the amount depending on the type of organization.

  • A minimum investment amount of at least CAD $200,000 is required if a venture capital fund is backing the startup business.
  • A minimum investment amount of CAD $75,000 is required if the support comes from an angel investor group.
  • If the support comes from a Canadian business incubator, a capital investment is not required. Innovative entrepreneurs only need to ensure they are accepted into the business incubator program.

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is aimed at high-net-worth individuals who wish settle in Quebec through a passive investment. There is also a Quebec Entrepreneur Program for applicants who prefer to open a business in Quebec instead.

Applicants must also meet the following eligibility criteria:
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  • Have at least two years of management experience, acquired within five years before submitting your application.
  • Have a net worth of at least CAD $2,000,000
  • Have a qualification equivalent to a secondary school diploma in Quebec
  • Be proficient in spoken French at least to a level 7 according to Quebec’s French proficiency scale.

What is the minimum investment for the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program?

The Quebec Immigrant Investor program requires the following minimum investment:

  • A five-year investment of CAD $1,000,000 (interest-free), guaranteed by the government of Québec
  • A non-refundable financial contribution of CAD $200,000 to Investissement Québec

Successful applicants can gain permanent residency through these programs, bring family members to Canada, and later apply for citizenship after maintaining their residency status for the required period.

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Read our ultimate Canada Citizenship by Investment Guide

How to become a Canadian citizen after getting permanent residency a US Citizen?

Once you obtain permanent residency as part of the pathway to Canada citizenship by investment for US citizens, you’ll need to fulfill specific requirements to be eligible to apply for citizenship.
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  1. Residency requirement: You must physically reside in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years immediately before submitting your citizenship application.
  2. Language proficiency: You need to show proof of integrating into Canadian society through a language proficiency of level 4 or more based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Citizens often use English or French, the two official languages.
  3. Pass a citizenship test: The test covers the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, as well as Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols.

Canada Citizenship by Investment for US Citizens: Key Considerations

Due to recent Canadian citizenship by investment changes and growing global demand, it’s important to carefully review all key details before committing your time and money. It’s also important to do your research to avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Research thoroughly
Each immigration program has its own criteria that must be met. Carefully research the specific requirements of each program and the Canadian immigration laws to determine if you qualify and if it aligns with your goals.

Canada offers many other immigration programs aimed at skilled workers and foreign investors, so be sure to find out about all the programs available to see which one suits you best.
There is no direct citizenship by investment in Canada
Since Canada has no direct citizenship by investment program, you’re not buying citizenship outright. Instead, residency by investment requires contributing to the Canadian economy, followed by gaining permanent residency and later applying for citizenship.
Taxes for US citizens in Canada
If you become a permanent resident by investment in Canada, there will be tax implications to consider, even before applying for citizenship.

The US bases taxation on both your residence and citizenship status. In Canada, your tax obligations are based on your residency status. Therefore, if you are a permanent resident in Canada and are living and working in the country, you may need to pay taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). As a US citizen, you will also have tax obligations to the Internal Revenue service (IRS) in the USA.

Fortunately, there are tax relief measures in place to avoid double taxation. These include the Foreign Tax Credit, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Housing Exclusion and the US-Canada tax treaty.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

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We’ll Help You Navigate

Canada does not have a direct citizenship by investment program. Instead, US citizens can obtain permanent residency through investment-based immigration programs, such as the Start-up Visa or the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, and later apply for citizenship.

Permanent residency gives you the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. However, you must maintain your residency by living in Canada for at least 730 days within every five-year period. Citizenship provides additional rights, such as the right to vote, hold a Canadian passport, and not be subject to residency obligations. Citizenship is a permanent status that cannot be revoked.

The process is multi-phased and takes several years. Permanent residency through investment programs typically takes one to three years, or possibly longer. To apply for citizenship, you must then live in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years before applying.

Yes, to maintain permanent resident status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within every five-year period. To apply for citizenship, you must be in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the five years before you submit your application.

Yes, Canada’s immigration programs allow a main applicant to include their spouse or partner and dependent children in their application for permanent residency. Once family members become permanent residents, they can also apply for citizenship after meeting the residency requirements.

Canada does not have a formal Golden Visa program. However, the term is sometimes used to describe the country’s business and investment immigration programs. It’s important to understand that these programs lead to permanent residency, not direct citizenship.

Yes, the Canada Startup Visa is a federal program that offers a direct path to permanent residency for entrepreneurs. A US citizen can apply, and if successful, they will become a permanent resident. After meeting the eligibility requirements, they can then apply for Canadian citizenship.

Canada recognizes dual citizenship, along with the US. US citizens can retain their American citizenship while becoming Canadian citizens, giving them additional mobility, rights, and economic opportunities.

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