Exploratory Visit

Exploratory Visit

What is Exploratory Visit:

Exploratory visit to the province and community you are planning to start your business in no less than five (5) working days over the previous 12 month period prior to issuing an Expression of Interest. During this visit the person must have conducted meetings with local stakeholders and service providers relevant to the candidate’s Business Establishment Plan including, but not limited to suppliers, commercial realtors, lawyers, accountants, business brokers/consultants, financial institutions, and economic development agencies.The exploratory visit is mandatory for persons purchasing an existing business or a business succession opportunity in all province communities as well as for applicants purchasing and actively managing a rural business opportunity.

Benefits of Exploratory Visit:

There are several benefits to conducting the Exploratory Visit, most importantly, the ability to make relevant business connections that can help you identify a viable business and set up your business once in the province. A second benefit is that the provincial PNP will allocate an additional points (usually 15) on the Adaptability Assessment Matrix for a qualifying visit of at least five days. applicants must make efforts to achieve the highest sore possible as only the highest scoring submissions among a pool of all eligible candidates will be invited to submit a formal application.

What to do during Exploratory Visit:

The following is a list of sample research activities that can be conducted during an Exploratory Visit:

• Identify a business opportunity
• Figure out the cost of purchasing business
• Figure out the start-up costs of the business
• Look at real estate market for both a business location as well as personal residence
• Analyze the competition to business
• Conduct market research to define target market
• Meet with tax accountant who can help with business setup as well as income and assets abroad (if any)
• Meet with other business owners who can be potential suppliers, etc
• Research schools for accompanying children
• Learn the general cost of living and lifestyle

Requirements for Exploratory Visit:

Any Requirements for Exploratory Visit:

• When Conducting Exploratory Visit, you and/or your family will need to stay in the province/community for at least 5 days or more (depending on the province that you are applying).
• You will be responsible to provide all expenses for yourself and all your family members accompanying you through the exploration visit period.
• Exploratory Visit is not required by all provinces immigration Program.
• You will earn extra points for the immigration/nominee program application.

What to be included in the Exploratory Visit Report:

The following should be considered to be included in the report:

• The name of the professional business service providers or settlement organizations visited during your trip, including mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and emails

• A description of the activity and/or meeting and how it relates to the applicants business establishment or settlement

• Copies of all airline tickets, boarding passes and hotel receipts during your entire stay in Canada and Saskatchewan

• Copies of business cards collected from relevant contact and business service providers contacted during your visit.

• Details of visit to existing business location and meetings with current owners if you are planning to purchase an existing business. You should include the business name, location and the current owners names and contact details

Please do not include photographs, brochures, flyers, maps or other promotional materials collected during the exploratory visit.