There are various immigration programs that are available for business immigration to Canada.

Click on a link below to find out more about each category of immigration.

  • C-11 Entrepreneur/ Self-employed

    C-11 for Entrepreneurs/ Self-Employed persons is a category of immigration that allows for applicants to immigrate to Canada based on setting up or acquiring a qualifying business. A key component of this program is the generation of “significant benefit”, which means that there must be a significant investment in the business and new jobs should be created. If a business is being acquired, this would necessitate a certain amount of expansion. There are other factors to consider and this program should only be pursued with the advise of a lawyer or a qualified immigration consultant.

  • Owner/Operator LMIA

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    The Owner/Operator LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a category of immigration that allows for applicants to immigrate to Canada based on setting up or acquiring a qualifying business. Typically, a key component of LMIA is significant benefit, which means that there must be a significant investment in the business and new jobs should be created. If a business is being acquired, this would necessitate a certain amount of expansion.

  • Intra-Company Transferee (ICT)

    The Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) visa program allows international companies to temporarily transfer highly qualified employees to Canada for the purpose of improving management effectiveness, expanding Canadian exports and enhancing competitiveness in overseas markets. The transferees can be an executive, manager or an employee with specialized knowledge.

  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

    The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is for workers who have skills, education and work experience and want to contribute to the economy, live in and become permanent residents of a given Canadian province or territory. Each province or territory has its own control over their own PNP program, meaning that each has different rules and requirements. In some provinces or territories, they may not offer it at all.

  • Start-up Visa

    The Start-up visa program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale. To qualify, the business must receive financial support from a government-designated organization: primarily venture capital companies, angel investors or incubators.

  • Self-employed Persons

    The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. The applicant must:

    1. have relevant experience for at least two years in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level
    2. be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada

    Other selection criteria include education, age, language abilities and adaptability. The applicant must also provide evidence of financial stability. This program is often used by artists or athletes, however, interested applicants should consult with counsel to gain an understanding of how the government assesses these applications in greater detail.