1. Start a new business in Canada or buy an existing business

We recommend that you consult with a lawyer before starting or investing in a business in Canada, as not all business ventures meet the requirements for the program. Learn more about starting a new business and purchasing an existing one with us

2. Research & prepare a solid business plan

Your business plan is the heart and soul of your application and immigration officers scrutinize the business plan very carefully to assess the viability of your business. Therefore, it is incredibly important that you make sure your business plan has all the necessary information, including your business model, hiring plan, pricing strategy etc. to convince the officer that your plan is viable and feasible, We have special agreements with TPA services providers who are working closely with Progress immigration to develop business plans

3. Develop an execution plan and start executing your business plan

Another important aspect of your applications is the initial execution of your business vision. The immigration officer will examine your commitment to running a business in Canada and review evidence of any steps you have taken to execute your business plan.  Very often opening a bank account and depositing funds alone is not sufficient to demonstrate your commitment and you may be required to do more than show that you have the money to finance your plans and business.

Your initial execution plan will depend on the nature of your business and the strategy outlined in the business plan. At Progress Immigration, we know that entering a new market can be difficult and we help our clients develop their execution plans and assist with the initial steps in the most cost-efficient and speedy manner.

4. Prepare & submit a C11 work permit application

Once you have collected sufficient proof of your commitment and evidence of your business plan execution, you can proceed to submit the work permit application as a self-employed individual under the C11 LMIA exemption code. Make sure to include all your relevant documents, including evidence of your entrepreneurial or managerial experience, financial documents, or support letters from vendors or customers in your field of field of business.

5. Receive approval of your application

Within approximately 1-3 months after submitting your application and providing your biometric information to the IRCC (if applicable), you should receive a decision from the IRCC on your application. If your decision is positive, you can start planning your trip to Canada. If your decision is negative, we encourage you to talk to your lawyer and develop a strategy to challenge the negative decision.

6. Arrive in Canada & operate your business

If your application is approved, you will be issued a 2-year work permit as an entrepreneur by the CBSA officer upon your arrival to Canada (airport or land border). As a self-employed individual, you will be authorized to work only for your business in Canada and not for any other employer in Canada.

Your spouse will also usually receive an open work permit which allows her/him to work for any employer in Canada. You need to operate your business for at least 12 months before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence.

7. Apply for permanent residence

As a foreign entrepreneur, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry (Federal Skilled Workers) program with an executive job offer, after operating your business in Canada for at least 6 months.

For that you need to demonstrate that you meet the basic eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker stream under the Express Entry program, demonstrating that you have a viable and operational business in Canada that can support your employment in a senior managerial or executive capacity, and the minimum language skills requirements (CLB level 7).