Canada Startup Program

The Start-up Visa program was launched in 2013 five-year pilot program. On March 31, 2018 this program became permanent. The program has admitted hundreds of immigrant business owners to Canada and is ideal for entrepreneurs with an existing business that is ready for investors. This Start-up Visa program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale.

The beneficiaries of an application are the investor, spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 at the time of the application.

Program Requirements

• Startup business with approved accelerator.
• Cost CAD 200,000 over 2 years.
• The investor also must have CAD 20,000 to support settlement in Canada for themselves and their family members.

Benefits

• Universal Health Care
• Welfare (unemployment benefits, etc)
• Retirement Benefits
• Rights and Freedoms
• Free education (K-12)
• Discounted post-secondary tuition

Canada Owner-Operator Program

For foreign nationals who want to open a business and work in Canada can apply for a special Work Permit under the Entrepreneurs/Self-employed category, also known as Owner Operator Program. The Owner-Operator work permit is a type of LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) that is exempt from some of the usual requirements, most importantly the advertising requirement that is normally part of the LMIA process. To advance towards a Permanent Residence through this program, there are three applications – the LMIA application, the work permit application and the Federal Express Entry application.

The beneficiaries of an application are the investor, spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 at the time of the application.

Program Requirements

• Be a sole or majority shareholder (50% or more), i.e. demonstrate you have controlling interest in the Canada business.
• You must be actively involved in the business and show that you are not making a passive investment.
• Show that your entry into Canada will create or retain jobs for Canadian permanent residents/citizens
• Investment of CAD 250,000 in the business.
• Via a business plan, you must show how you will fund the business and create/maintain employment.

Process

• Once you apply and receive a positive Owner/Operator LMIA, you can apply for a work permit.
• The work permit is valid for the same period as the LMIA – usually two years.
• After you receive the work permit you will be able to apply for the Canadian Permanent Residence through the Federal Express Entry program if you want to. You will receive additional points for a job offer that your own company makes to you as an applicant.

Benefits

• Universal Health Care
• Welfare (unemployment benefits, etc)
• Retirement Benefits
• Rights and Freedoms
• Free education (K-12)
• Discounted post-secondary tuition