Connect with us
Connect with us
You’re looking to immigrate but not sure where, there are so many choices! We will compare Canada, Spain, and Portugal as top destinations for residency and permanent immigration. We will compare the key investment programs for applicants from overseas and let you know which ones are faster, which ones are slow, how much you should invest, and the chances of getting approved so you can make an informed decision to move yourself and your family. We will also update you on the latest changes to the investment immigration programs in these 3 countries (Spain, Portugal, and Canada).
If you are a citizen from a Spanish-speaking country in South or Central America, many of the criteria we will discuss about Spain will not apply to you as you will have fast-track access under different programs which also have different eligibility criteria as former Spanish colonies.
If you’re planning to immigrate with your family and you’re looking for some guidance and support, you’re at the right place! We are licensed and we have successfully supported applicants from more than 47 nationalities in terms of studying, Working, and Business Immigration. Get a FREE email assessment, click here.
Of course, Canada is the only English-speaking country on our list. It is a bilingual country allowing you to speak both English and French. Although Portugal & Spain are very popular destinations for ex-pats, dealing with government organizations still requires you to communicate in their own language. Certain cities are predominantly English such as Marbella in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. But at the end of the day, Canada is a majority English-speaking country with a French minority, Portuguese will be required for Portugal, and Spanish and Catalan for Spain, depending on which region of Spain you plan to move to.
Here is where you will see the big difference between the 3 countries in terms of eligibility for the fast-track business immigration programs.
It’s about education, language, work experience, and travel history, specifically in Canada. If you are from a country that requires a visa and you do not have a travel history, the chances of getting approved for a temporary residency such as an investor work permit are low. If you plan to apply for a business immigration program in Canada, and you do not have documented work experiences such as senior management or business ownership, then the chances are still very low. As well, the size and financial status of the company you own are also important for Canada. If you have not completed a post-secondary degree or diploma and do not have language ability in English or French, then again you are at a disadvantage.
To convert to a permanent residency in Canada, without having any language ability, it’s difficult and sometimes almost impossible. You cannot obtain any temporary or permanent status in Canada through passive investment or real estate investment.
However, in Portugal and Spain, you can buy a permanent residency or apply for a temporary residency with absolutely no language ability. You do not necessarily need travel history and it doesn’t matter if you are from a high refusal region if you are purchasing a property. For temporary residency, travel history helps tremendously and is highly advisable. Education and previous work experience are not mandatory and not a significant factor for either Portugal or Spain. They both allow applicants to obtain residency either through property purchase, Startup applications, or passive income streams from overseas. It’s not very complicated in these 2 countries to obtain residency.
To keep you updated on the latest programs: Spain’s golden visa is still active and accepting applications. Portugal’s golden visa is changing – but still open as of November 2022– do expect changes such as different investment amounts and banning of residential property purchases under the new golden visa program. Spain is also launching a digital nomad temporary residency program in 2023 as well as part of its immigration programs. In Canada, there are no significant program changes as of November 2022, but the refusals are increasing if you are from a country that requires a visa to enter the country.
At INGWE we are EXPERTS in business immigration. We will guide and support you throughout any immigration process. Get a FREE email assessment with us, fill out our form, click here.
If you don’t know yet, you should be aware that Canadian immigration is one of the slowest in the world. Portugal has slowed down significantly and it’s trying to reduce the number of applicants under its programs. Right now, Spain is the fastest and most reliable of these 3 countries as of November 2022.
If you are from a high refusal region, and if you don’t have a travel history, or no previous documented business ownership or senior management experience, then your chances of obtaining a Canadian investor work permit is very low. If you have none of the above, but you can buy a property in Spain or Portugal as per the minimum values for the golden visa program, you can be guaranteed a permanent residency if you are not on some international high-risk security list.
In Canada, your future born children inside the country automatically receive citizenship no matter where the parents are from. In Spain, your newborn child, if born inside the country, will be eligible for citizenship if they reside in Spain for a minimum of 1 year before the age of 18 – no matter where the parents are from as long as the child is born inside Spain. In Portugal, unless you are a Portuguese citizen your newborn child will not be eligible for citizenship unless they reside in the country legally for 5 years.
In Canada, your investment amounts can start from $125,000 and go higher up to $250,000 depending on which program you plan to apply under.
In Spain, the golden visa starts at EUR 500,000, and in Portugal at EUR 280,000 but this is now changing and may be revised in the new year (2023). Both in Spain and Portugal, you have the option to apply for passive residency programs which need zero investment but require documented proof of your income streams (being employed on salary does not count).
If you’re interested in business immigration, get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants! We have successfully helped applicants from over 47 different countries! Fill out our form, click here.
Yes, all these 3 countries offer free education for your children in elementary and high school if you (as the parent) have legal temporary status inside the country. However, if you require English education for your children in Portugal or Spain, you need to apply and pay for private schools.
In Canada and Spain, you need to complete 2 exams (knowledge and driving tests). In Portugal, you need to complete 3 exams. If you are not from an EU country, it is unlikely that you can convert your existing license directly to Spain or Portugal unless you are from a former colony. In Canada, unless you are from a very specific list of countries, you cannot convert your driver’s license but can claim experience if you have all the translated & attested documents from your home country. Each province in Canada has its own driver’s license requirements. If you are from an Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Central, or South American country you will not be able to complete a direct conversion of a driver’s license inside Canada. In all these 3 countries, you are allowed to drive for a limited period of time with your own driver’s license (i.e., renting a car and driving as a tourist).
In Canada, if you have a valid investor work permit your partner/spouse can become eligible to apply for an open work permit. In Spain or Portugal, you are allowed to apply for a work visa if you are on a permanent residency program, and not a temporary residency program – which also applies to your spouse or partner.
Do you want to become a Permanent Resident in Canada, Portugal or Spain? Our licensed consultants could assess your profile against +75 immigration programs across Canada. Get a FREE email assessment by filling out our form, click here.
In Canada, for most applicants, the process can take anywhere from 2-3 years for business immigration programs to obtain a permanent residency, although work permits can be anywhere from 4-6 months. It’s very slow!
In Spain, a permanent residency can literally take max 3 months through the golden visa, and the same for a temporary residency.
In Portugal, it was previously the same as in Spain, but now the processing times have increased drastically as the government is planning changes to the Portugal golden visa as of the recent announcements in late 2022. Passive income residency programs have taken more than 9 months, and the golden visa permanent residency is also longer than Spain’s, but still much quicker than Canada’s.
If you’re interested in immigrating through investment, you’re at the right place! At INGWE, we have successfully supported applicants from +47 countries. Get a FREE email assessment with one of our licensed immigration consultants, click here.
In Portugal, it will require 5 years of residency to become eligible for citizenship. In Spain, it will require 10 years of residency, although you only need to reside inside Spain for 6 out of the 12 months for each year. In Canada, you need to reside as a PR for at least 3 out of 5 years to become eligible for citizenship (not continuous) – with an option to receive 0.5 day credit for each day you resided as a temporary resident inside Canada, with a max of 1 year credit allowance towards your citizenship eligibility.
In Portugal you need to complete a Portuguese language exam otherwise you cannot become a citizen. In Spain, you need to complete a multiple-choice cultural exam which is in Spanish. In Canada you need to submit proof of language in either French or English, unless you have completed post-secondary studies in this language before or are considered a minor or senior. There is also a Canadian history exam, which is multiple choice of 20 questions, that is mandatory for anyone between the ages of 18 to 54.
In Canada, the entire medical program is public, and very little private healthcare is available. It’s good because it’s low cost, and it’s bad because it’s a low number of doctors, medical specialists, and long wait times. In Spain, you have both private and public healthcare, you can choose whichever one you prefer.
In Portugal, it’s like Spain. Between Spain & Portugal, Spain has much more advanced healthcare coverage and facilities, and even in some cases better than Canada due to the private healthcare industry.
So where do you want to move to? Let us know – we’d love to hear your thoughts on which country would be your top choice.
If you’re thinking about immigrating through Investment or Business - you’re at the right place!
We have 1-million-dollar liability insurance which protects you and us from mistakes or fraud as well as a dedicated client trust account with our banks. Our team speaks over +8 languages, and we help applicants from over 47 different countries during their immigration process. Fill out the form and get a FREE email assessment! Click here.
