'Migrating to Canada easier for farmers'

Given the networth and immigration criteria stipulated by Canada, it is proving easier for farmers, rather than investors and businessmen, from India migrate to the country. India ranks second after China in immigrations to Canada.

Addressing mediapersons, B S Sadhu, chairman and managing director of Worldwide Immigration Consultancy Services Limited (WWICS), said: "The farmers must have a knowledge of English and provide evidence of two years of cultivation experience while area cultivated is immaterial. An investment of Rs 40 lakh would be required for a minimum holding of 50 acres of land."

He said that farmers from north India are taking more advantage of this opportunity than their counterparts in south India. Indians wanting to migrate to Canada can look at potential sectors such as biotechnology, horticulture, floriculture, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

An investor will have to invest about Rs 2.75 crore in Canada.

However, a start-up entrepreneur can migrate with an investment of just Rs 1.5 crore. Businessmen looking to migrate to Canada will have to satisfy two of the four networth parameters. More than two employees must manage their enterprise, it must have a turnover of Rs 1.65 crore, a profit of Rs 16.5 lakh and a equity capital of Rs 42 lakh.

Two provinces, Nova-Scotia and Quebec, are offering immigration within one year of filing an application under their investor programme. Under normal circumstances this would take two years.

WWICS charges a fee of about Rs 40,000 for a family immigration and $ 3,000 for post landing service.