Business Visa

The Government of Canada welcomes investors, business managers, and entrepreneurs from diverse
backgrounds who are looking to settle in Canada and explore new opportunities. They are encouraged to apply for a variety
of fast-tracked Business Immigration Programs, facilitating their journey to Canada.

FEDERAL BUSINESS IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Canada offers a range of Federal Business Immigration Programs designed to accommodate various profiles and objectives. These programs cater to self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities, and individuals interested in leveraging their personal net worth to contribute to the Canadian economy. These programs are applicable for settling in any province except Quebec.

QUEBEC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Quebec offers a selection of Business Immigration Programs, including Self-Employed, Investor, and Entrepreneur programs, aimed at attracting business immigrants. These programs are designed to support economic growth and job creation at the provincial level. Quebec’s Business Immigration Programs provide an excellent opportunity for prospective newcomers seeking entrepreneurial diversity in the province.

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESS

Each province and territory in Canada operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), several of which include streams for candidates with experience in entrepreneurship or management. The eligibility requirements and application process for these PNP streams vary among provinces, but individuals who are successful will typically receive a provincial nomination. This nomination often allows the candidate to apply for permanent residence at the federal level, contributing to the overall goal of attracting and retaining skilled individuals in various regions of Canada.

Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) for business
British Columbia operates three business streams

British Columbia’s Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) offers three business streams.
The first stream is the Entrepreneur Immigration program with the following requirements:

ENTERPRENEUR IMMIGRATION

*This program is designed for individuals looking to establish or acquire businesses in British Columbia and contribute to the province’s economy.

B.C. ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION – REGIONAL PILOT

British Columbia’s Entrepreneur Immigration program includes a Regional Pilot designed to attract entrepreneurs to rural areas of the province. Here are the requirements for the Regional Pilot:

*This pilot program specifically targets entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business in rural parts of British Columbia.

SASKATCHEWAN

There are two main business categories: the Entrepreneur stream and the International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

ENTREPRENEUR STREAM

Saskatchewan offers an Entrepreneur Stream as part of its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Here are the requirements for this stream:

This stream is for individuals who meet these criteria and wish to establish or acquire a business in Saskatchewan, contributing to the economic development of the province.

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR STREAM

To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 21 years of age.
Have completed a full-time Saskatchewan post-secondary degree or diploma of at least two years in length from a recognized and eligible Saskatchewan institution.
Possess a valid Post-Graduate Work Permit with no less than 24 months of eligibility remaining.
Have resided in Saskatchewan during your academic program.
Maintain a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.

*Meeting these criteria allows you to submit an EOI for Saskatchewan’s PNP, which is a crucial step in the immigration process for aspiring candidates.

OWNER OPERATOR

The Owner-Operator Work Permit is an immigration pathway for entrepreneurs and their families in Canada. To be eligible for this program, the entrepreneur should either be a sole proprietor or hold a minimum of 50.1% equity stakes in a Canadian company. Another important criterion for this category is the potential benefit the business can offer to the Canadian economy, such as job creation or skill transferability to Canadians. It’s worth noting that a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is still required to apply for an Owner-Operator Work Permit.

START-UP VISA

Canada’s Start-up Visa Program aims to attract immigrant entrepreneurs who possess the skills and potential to establish innovative businesses in Canada. These businesses are expected to create employment opportunities for Canadians and compete globally. To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, your business idea or venture must receive support from one or more of the designated organizations, which include:

This support serves as an endorsement of the business idea’s viability and contribution
to the Canadian economy, making you eligible to apply for the Start-up Visa program.