There are several different ways to immigrate to Canada as an Immigrant.
There is the Independent Immigrant category, the Self Employed Person, 
the Entrepreneur, and the Investor. Following is some basic information about each category.

The Independent Immigrant

The Independent Immigrant to Canada in this category is assessed under a Point System. Certain points are awarded for several categories such as their occupation, experience and education. Before one is permitted to make an application as an Independent Immigrant they must have their position assessed to be informed whether they qualify. The independant immigrant must be awarded 67 points under the current points system to be granted Permanent Resident status (IPPA).  Points are awarded for:

• Education
  
• Experience
  
• Age
  
• Knowledge of English and/or French
  
• Arranged Employment
  
• Canadian Work Experience
  
• Studies in Canada
  
• Spouse's Education
• Relatives In Canada
  

Depending on their point total they may need to have a valid job offer in Canada for 15 extra points.

The Self Employed Person

The Self-Employed person application is reserved for persons who are self-employed and are going to be enriching Canadian culture through the arts, ethnic culture or sports etc. These types of applications are reserved for people such as artists, dancers, musicians or professional athletes. If the Self Employed applicants meets all of the basic requirements, they are awarded 30 bonus including the points the awarded under the current point system mentioned above.

The Enterpreneur

The Entrepreneur is the person who wishes to either buy an existing business or create a business in Canada. The Entrepreneur must have a personal net worth of at least $300,000 before considering this type of application. Among other things the Entrepreneur applicant must present a professionally prepared business plan that includes the amount of money that they will be investing into creating or buying the business, room in the business for the employment of two Canadian residents, proof of experience in the type of business that they are proposing to operate and proof of their $300,000 (Canadian funds) net worth. Entrepreneur applicants that meet all of the basic requirements are awarded 30 bonus points. Successful entrepreneur applicants are issued conditional Premanent Resident visas. They are required to have their case reviewed by an Immigration Officer within Canada to ensure that the entrepreneur is indeed operating this business as planned. If the Immigration Officer is not satisfied that the business is in operation their Permanent Resident visa will be cancelled. If the Immigration Officer is satisfied that Permanent Resident visa will be made permanent.


Investors

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest C$400,000 into Canada's economy. Investors must:

· show that they have business experience
· have a minimum net worth of C$800,000 that was obtained legally and
· make a C$400,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.

CIC will return your $400,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.