Business Immigration Programs

Canada offers tremendous opportunities to foreigners who come with business intentions. Canada's business immigration offers multiple pathways for newcomers who have experience in owning, managing, or investing in businesses.

Individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for a Canadian permanent residence under the Canada Business Immigration Program in one of the following four sub-categories

Startup Visa Investor Program

Startup Visa Investor Program

To build businesses in Canada that are innovative and that create employment opportunities for Canadians.

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Intra Company Transferees

Intra Company Transferees

For Senior Managers and specialized knowledge workers of MNCs transferring to Canada.

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Self-Employed Persons Program

Self-Employed Persons Program

Right for you if you have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics .

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Owner / Operator Program

Owner / Operator Program

Individuals looking to implement a new business idea or buy an existing business in Ontario / BC.

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Why Work With PlanThyBusiness?

Why seek professional help?

To take advantage of these opportunities, you must know how to properly represent yourself when applying.

Immigration is a complex process that requires strong legal strategy, precise paperwork, and perfect attention to detail and experience dealing with immigration officials and government departments.

This is best achieved with the help of an immigration expert who has experience with each business person's unique situation. It reduces the risk of wasted time, money or permanent rejection.

How we can help?

Our experienced immigration consultants will be able to assess your case and recommend a course of action to best serve your needs.

Beyond that we help you in filing the documents, preparing your business plan, getting you letter of support from incubators, raising investment commitments from angels, finding business partners or business for acquisition, resolve any objections / queries and lot more.

If for some reason, your immigration application is refused, you have some options depending on your status and the type of application you submitted. We can also help you reapply, apply for judicial review or appeal.

We will be a trusted partner your immigration journey till you land in Canada, the land of enormous opportunities.

Why Us?

Licensed Consultants

Our Immigration Consultants are affiliated to RCIC - Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and they are based out of Toronto, Canada.

Trust

Trust is at the heart of what we do. We cannot represent your best interest if you do not trust us. Many of our clients are those who have been referred to us by previous clients, and the real reason our previous clients refer their friends and family to us is because they trust us to give them the best representation.

Transparent Advisory

With us, there are no hidden fees and we provide the most honest advice. We are not afraid to say no if we realize that we cannot help you because we will rather be honest with you than waste your money and precious time.

Data Driven Assessment

We will analyze your profile using the written immigration law -IRPA (Immigration Regulation Protection Act) and based on the most recent Ministerial. Instructions published by the IRCC. And then we compare your assessment with data collected by our team.

Three alternate pathways

Based on the transparent analysis and our data smart approach, we suggest you the top three pathways for immigrating to Canada.

What are you waiting for, let us kickstart your Business
Immigration journey to Canada

Program Details

Program Description

Canada's Start-up Visa Program falls under the Federal Business Immigration Immigrants Program. The Start-Up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, create employment opportunities for Canadians, and compete globally.


Program Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the start-up visa program, you must meet specific eligibility requirements. These are listed below:

  • You must have a qualifying business

    The business must be incorporated in Canada, and the applicant must hold a minimum of 10% voting rights attached to the shares of the company. Furthermore, the applicants and the designated organization must jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to the company's shares.

  • You must have a letter of support from a designated organization

    There are three categories of a designated organization for the Start-Up Visa program to receive support from. They are venture capital funds (minimum $200K investment), angel investor groups (minimum $75K investment), and business incubators.

  • You must meet the language requirements

    Get minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, reading, and writing skills in English / French.

  • You must have sufficient funds to settle and live in Canada

    Approximately $13,000 for 1 person and $3500 for every additional family member.


Application Process

The processing time for a start-up visa application is 12 to 16 months.

Step-1: Determine your eligibility and gather documents

You can check your eligibility and score online on Canadian Government Website.

Step-2: Get Your Application Package and Documents Checklist

The application package for a start-up visa includes an instruction guide and a document checklist. Read the instructions carefully.

Step-3: Fill Out Your Application Form

Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after receiving an invitation to apply through the express entry online system. Fill out the form and upload your documents.

Step-4: Pay Your Application Fees And Submit Your Application

The estimated application fee per adult is $2,075. This includes a processing fee of $1575 and the right of permanent residence fee of $500.

Program Description

Self-employed Persons can come to Canada as a permanent resident if they have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and are willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life in Canada.


Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Relevant Experience

    You must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics. The work experience for a self-employed person must be for at least two years in the last 5 years.

  • Self-Employment Ability/Willingness

    You must be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada

  • Secure at least 35 points

    You must meet the program's selection criteria such as experience, education, age, language abilities, adaptability. To be successful, an applicant must get a minimum of 35 points out of a maximum of 100 points based on the five selection criteria and point system.

  • Medical Admissibility

    You must meet the medical admissibility requirement.

  • Security Requirement

    You must meet other admissibility requirements such as having no criminal record or must not be a security risk.

  • Language Requirements

    Get minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, reading, and writing skills in English / French.

  • You must have your credentials evaluated by designated organization

    The organizations include World Education Services, International Credential Assessment Service of Canada, Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and International Credential Services.

  • You must have sufficient funds to settle and live in Canada

    Approximately $13,000 for 1 person and $3500 for every additional family member.


Application Process

The processing time for a start-up visa application is 23 months.

Step-1: Check your eligibility and gather documents

Check that you meet the eligibility requirement. After that get all the necessary documents ready such as language test, passport or travel document, proof of funds, educational credentials, evidence of relevant work experience, etc..

Step-2: Get Your Application Package and Documents Checklist

The application package for a start-up visa includes an instruction guide and a document checklist.

Step-3: Fill Out Your Application Form

Fill out the required forms entirely on a computer, validate the forms, print out all the forms and the barcode page, date, and sign.

Step-4: Pay Your Application Fees And Submit Your Application

The estimated application fee per adult is $2,075. This includes a processing fee of $1575 and the right of permanent residence fee of $500.

Program Description

The Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit allows eligible employees to apply for work permits to work for a multi-national company affiliated with a branch of the same multinational company in Canada. The business person must be doing work as an executive, a manager, or a specialist. The Intra-Company Transferees work permit is issued a maximum of seven years for executives and senior managers and five years for specialized knowledge workers. After one year of working in Canada, the applicant may use the Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry program.


Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Current Employment

    The applicant must be currently employed by the multi-national company and must be seeking entry to work in the parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of the organization.

  • Relationship with Canadian Organization

    The organization in Canada must have a qualifying relationship with the company in which the applicant is currently employed, and will be undertaking employment at a legitimate and continuing establishment of that company.

  • Job Role

    The applicant must be transferred to an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.

  • Tenure of Employment

    The applicant must have been employed continuously by the company that plans to transfer them in a similar full-time position for at least one year in the three years immediately preceding the initial application’s date.


Application Process

The processing times for Open Work Permit applications vary from one country to another. Follow this link to check the processing time for your Country. Applicants may also benefit from two weeks of processing time under the Global Skills Strategy if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Step-1: Gather your Documents

Use the document checklist to gather all the required Documents for your intra-company transferee work permit application. Document checklist for outside of Canada work permit and Document checklist for inside Canada work permit.

Step-2: Fill out the form

You must sign and date the application forms. Follow the links for more information Instruction guide for open work permit inside Canada and Instruction guide for an open work permit outside Canada.

Step-3: Pay Your Fees

The fees you have to pay to the government include your application processing fee of $155 for one individual, an open work permit holder fee of $100 and a biometric fee. See the breakdown of the fees. You Might need to pay other third-party fees directly to the third party depending on your situation, including the Visa application center fee, medical examination fee, police clearance certificate fees.

Step-4: Submit your Application

After completing the above steps, the next step is to submit your application either online or at a Visa application centres (VACs)

Program Description

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is designed to support individuals from outside of Canada looking to implement a new business idea or buy an existing business in Ontario. The Entrepreneur Stream offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their company has been successfully established in Ontario.


Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Business experience

    Applicants must have at least 24 months of full-time business experience in the last 60 months.

  • Net worth

    Applicant must have a net worth of $400,000 ($800,000 if the business is within the Greater Toronto Area).

  • Personal investment funds and minimum equity

    Applicant must have a minimum personal investment of $200,000 ($600,000 if the proposed business is within the Greater Toronto Area).

  • Active involvement

    Applicant must be actively involved, on an ongoing basis, in the management of the business.

  • Capital investment purpose

    The main purpose of the investment must be to make a profit.

  • Job creation

    At least one permanent full-time job is required to be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. In Greater Toronto Area (GTA), at least two permanent full-time jobs must be created for.


Application Process

Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

First send EOI by Email and request a copy of the EOI registration form. Then fill out the EOI registration form and submit. There is no fee to register an EOI.

Submit an online application through the OINP e-Filing Portal

If you quality, you receive Invitation to Apply. Submit your application within 90 calendar days.

Attend In-Person Interview

The applicant must attend a mandatory in-person interview.

Sign a Performance Agreement

It will outline the commitments that must be met to be nominated for permanent residence.

Apply for a temporary work permit

OINP will issue a letter of confirmation enabling you and your business partner (if applicable) to apply for a temporary work permit.

Arrive in Ontario

Establish your business and arrive in Ontario with your valid temporary work permit within 12 months. Notify OINP within seven days of arriving.

Build your Business

You have 20 months from the date of arrival to build your business and meet all commitments under your performance agreement.

Letter/Certificate of Nomination

Receive a Letter of Nomination and an OINP Certificate of Nomination

Apply for PR

With the Letter of Nomination and the OINP Certificate of Nomination, you can apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada within six months.

Program Description

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is designed to support individuals from outside of Canada looking to implement a new business idea or buy an existing business in Ontario. The Entrepreneur Stream offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their company has been successfully established in Ontario.


Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Net Worth

    Personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000.

  • Business Experience

    Demonstrate business and/or management experience.

  • Establish business

    Must establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business.

  • Personal Investment

    Personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business.

  • Job Creation

    Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the business.

  • Language Proficiency

    Basic English or French language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.


Application Process

Register Online

Foreign entrepreneurs with a business idea and who meet all the eligibility criteria can create a profile and register online for the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Category.

Receive Invitation to Apply

Foreign entrepreneurs found eligible will receive an invitation to apply online to the BC PNP under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

Submit Application

If you are invited to apply, you will have to submit a complete application through BC PNP Online within 4 months.

In-Person Interview

The applicant may be required to attend an in-person interview.

Get Work Permit

BC PNP will issue a letter of support, enabling you to apply to IRCC for a two-year work permit. After the work permit is granted, the foreign entrepreneur must arrive in B.C. within 12 months.

Arrive in BC and sign performance agreement

You will be required to sign a Performance Agreement with British Columbia on arrival.

Implement the Business

You will have up to 20 months to implement the business proposal in British Columbia and meet all commitments under your performance agreement.

Provide Final Report

Finally, they will be required to provide a final report to BC PNP between 18 and 20 months after you arrive in British Columbia.

Receive Letter of Nomination

If your application for British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Category nomination is successful, you will receive a confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee.

Apply for Permanent Residence

With the confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee, you can apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada under the Provincial Nominee Class. Please refer to the Entrepreneur Immigration Post-Arrival Guide to learn more about the program.

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