Business Visitor Visa

If you would like to come to take part in international business activities without being part of the Canadian labour market or are visiting Canada temporarily to look for ways to grow your business, you may be eligible to apply for a Business Visa. Business visitors usually can stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks, but are able to stay for up to 6 months.

To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that:

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada
• you have documents that support your application
• you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because you
  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have enough money for your stay and to return home
  • plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians

Start-up Visa Program

Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets innovative immigrant entrepreneurs who can create jobs for Canadians and have the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada.

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:

• have a qualifying business
• get a letter of support from a designated organization
• meet the language requirements
• bring enough money to settle

Self Employed Stream

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

• have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and
• be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada
• have relevant experience
• be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada
• meet the program’s selection criteria and
• meet medical, security and other conditions

Provincial Entrepreneur Programs

This stream is for entrepreneurs from outside Canada interested in starting a new business or buying an existing business in one of the Canadian provinces offer such stream. Generally, It gives an entrepreneur the opportunity to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in one of the provinces offering this immigration program.

Although each province has different types of programs available for business investors, summary of steps can be summarized as below:

• Register an expression of interest by email.
• If invited, submit an online application.
• You and your business partner (if applicable) attend a mandatory interview.
• Business can apply to IRCC for a temporary work permit.
• You are provided a timeframe to arrive in Canada and to implement your business plan and submit a final report.
• If your business meets all requirements, IRCC ask you for documentation to make sure you are eligible for nomination for permanent residence.