What the concept is for
Certain prospectus exemptions let an issuer sell securities without the detailed disclosure document reviewed by the regulator. The accredited investor concept defines who may buy on that basis.
The main families of criteria
The regulation sets thresholds based on net financial assets, total net assets, or income, assessed alone or with a spouse, along with institutional and professional categories. The exact thresholds are in the regulation and should be verified with the regulator.
The other exemptions
There are routes other than accreditation, notably the exemption based on advice from a registered dealer and the exemption for distributions to close persons, each with its own conditions and sometimes subscription caps.
What qualifying removes
You lose the protection a prospectus provides: standardized, reviewed, comparable disclosure, and the remedies attached to it. The risk of losing capital is not reduced by the fact that you qualify.
The suitability duty remains
Where the investment goes through a registered person, that person remains obliged to assess whether the security suits your situation. Qualifying relieves no one of that duty.
Questions to ask before subscribing
Which exemption is relied on, and why? What disclosure am I given, and who verified it? How and when can I resell? What fees apply? And is the person soliciting me registered in the appropriate category?
No rate, price, or recommendation on this page. Amounts and limits change: verify them with official sources before deciding.