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Business Immigration Consultant
The professional business immigration support you need to make your Canadian investment a reality.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC-IRB)
Proudly regulated by and in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Registration #: R507233.

Navigate Canada’s Business Immigration Programs with Expert Help
Canada offers many programs for international entrepreneurs to invest and settle permanently in the country. These programs are designed to promote economic development in Canada by encouraging investment, entrepreneurship, and employment using foreign venture capital, business acumen, and entrepreneurial skills.
Entrepreneurs can apply for business immigration programs and obtain permanent residence or start applying for a work permit, work in Canada, and obtain the required experience to apply for permanent residency. Canada also offers programs designed for international students who want to start or acquire a Canadian business.
If you want to open or purchase a business in Canada and immigrate to the country as an investor, CanDo Immigration’s business immigration consultants can help you make the most appropriate and successful choice among the various provincial and federal business immigration programs.

In addition to assisting you with the immigration applications under the business category, we can help you with:
- Identifying suitable business opportunities
- Establishing corporate structures
- Arranging for assistance with corporate due diligence
- Corporate legal administration
- Acquiring financial services and advice
- Referrals to experts to help with business negotiations, acquisitions, and purchases
Federal Business Immigration Programs
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is the stream for a Canadian company to hire foreign nationals who do not hold an open work permit or study permit. It is also used for business owners/operators wishing to temporarily work in Canada operating a business.
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application is required to determine if the employer is allowed to hire a foreign worker to operate its business. These applications will be assessed using the normal process for LMIA applications.
Applicants must meet all the regular LMIA requirements and after obtaining a positive LMIA, the business owner/operator can apply for a work permit and, if approved, start operating the business in Canada.
If the business owner/operator wishes to live permanently in Canada, they can apply for permanent residency. A positive LMIA gives the candidate extra points when applying for PR via Federal Express Entry.
International Mobility Program
Entrepreneur or Self-Employed Category
The International Mobility Program allows entrepreneurs or self-employed foreigners seeking to open a new business in Canada or buy an existing one, to temporarily work and operate the business while in Canada without an LMIA.
Under the Entrepreneur or Self-Employed category, qualified applicants will be granted a two-year work permit. As this is temporary authorization to work in Canada, applicants must convince immigration officers they will leave the country at the end of the period permitted for their stay.
Work permits issued under this program can be extended provided that the entrepreneur meets certain criteria to remain in Canada for the long term.
Applicants need to show that their admission to Canada to operate their business would generate significant economic, social or cultural benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Applicants need to own at least 50% of the business to be eligible for a work permit through the International Mobility Program – entrepreneur or self-employed category.
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement facilitates trade, revokes barriers to do business and eliminates the need for an LMIA for all business persons covered by the Agreement.
Under CUSMA, U.S. and Mexican citizens can enter Canada to operate a business for the purpose of trading goods or services.
Business visitors from these countries are not required to hold a work permit. The other categories of business persons who can enter Canada through the IMP - CUSMA first need to obtain a work permit.
Start-Up Visa Program
Designed for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, skills, and the ability to start and grow a business in Canada, the Start-Up Visa Program is an option for investing in the country and a pathway for Canadian permanent residency.
Entrepreneurs need to have a qualifying business and support from venture capital funds, an angel investor group, and/or a business incubator listed as designated organizations by Immigration Canada to apply for the Start-Up Visa Program.
Self-Employed Persons Program
Self-employed persons with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and who wish to live permanently in Canada can apply for the Self-Employed Persons Program. The applicant must be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.
At least two years of experience is required to be eligible for this program.
Provincial Business Immigration Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration
Provincial nominee programs are available for entrepreneurs and business persons willing to invest in Canada and who want to contribute to the economic development of small communities, and obtain permanent residency in a timely manner.
In general, provincial immigration programs offer lower costs and language skills requirements and have shorter processing times.Why Trust CanDo as Your Canadian Business Immigration Consultant
CanDo Immigration specializes in offering exceptional immigration consulting services grounded in our core values of excellence, honesty, passion, and respect. It’s our mission to ensure each application is meticulously prepared to meet the stringent requirements set by the Canadian government.
Three Decades of Experience
With 35+ years of experience, our Canadian immigration consultants have intricate knowledge of the diverse Canadian immigration programs and we are dedicated to helping aspiring immigrants make their Canadian dreams a reality.
A Dedicated Partner
Our team of immigration consultants will help you every step of the way. We will assess your eligibility for the existing business immigration streams, recommend your best options, develop a personalized action plan, and prepare and submit your application in a timely and efficient manner.
A Tailored Approach to Your Application
Each application is unique because business immigration to Canada is unique. That’s why our specialized immigration consultants work directly with you to develop a custom approach that maximizes your chances of a successful application.
We Believe in Transparency and Trust
At CanDo Immigration, our team of dedicated immigration consultants is here to guide you through every step of the process with steadfast honesty and integrity. We keep communication open and clear, making sure you stay fully informed at every stage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for business immigration to Canada?
Each business immigration program has its own requirements. In general, to apply for business immigration streams, investors need to have the financial ability to start and operate a business and settle in Canada. They also need to be able to communicate in English or French.
Do I need a business immigration lawyer to emigrate to Canada as an investor?
A Canadian immigration lawyer may be needed when specialized legal services or advice are required for intricate business immigration cases involving legal contracts. However, in most cases, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant can effectively assist you in all matters of your business immigration to Canada.
How can I show that my business can generate significant economic benefit in Canada?
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) considers the following factors to define if the benefit is significant:
- The work is likely to create a viable business that will benefit Canadian or permanent resident workers or provide economic stimulus
- The applicant has a particular background or skills that will improve the viability of the business
- There is a business plan that clearly shows that the applicant has taken steps to initiate their business
- The applicant has taken some measures to put the business plan into action, showing evidence of having the financial ability to begin the business and pay expenditures, renting space, having a staffing plan, obtaining a business number, showing business ownership documents or agreements, etc.
What categories of business persons can enter Canada under the CUSMA?
- Business visitors: do not need a work permit to enter Canada
- Professionals (according to the list of eligible professions under the CUSMA): need a work permit to enter Canada
- Intra-company transferees: need a work permit to enter Canada
- Traders and investors: need a work permit to enter Canada
What are the requirements for the start-up visa program?
- It is mandatory that applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights at the time of submission.
- A complete, detailed, and well-elaborated business plan is essential to increase the chances of a successful application.
- A work permit is required to start working in Canada. Upon receiving a commitment certificate and a support letter from one or more designated organizations, the investor can apply for a work permit.
- The minimum language requirement for this program is level 5 of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) in either English or French in all of the four skills.
- Applicants need to provide biometrics, medical exams, police certificates and proof of having enough money to afford the costs to settle in Canada.
- By the end of the permanent residence process, the applicant needs to demonstrate active and ongoing management of the business from within Canada, that the business is incorporated in Canada, and an essential part of the operations of the business happen in Canada.
What business immigration programs are offered by each province?
The following business immigration programs are offered at the provincial level:
British Columbia
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Strategic Projects
Quebec
Alberta
- Alberta Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream
- Alberta International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration
- Alberta Self-Employed Farmer Stream
Manitoba
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Entrepreneur Pathway)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream (Farm Investor Pathway)
New Brunswick
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Entrepreneur Category
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - Farm Owner/Operator Category
Yukon
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — Entrepreneur Stream
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) — International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream