The Business Visa section encompasses three distinct categories: the Start-Up Visa, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT), and Self Employment, each designed to cater to different entrepreneurial and business-related immigration needs.

Start Up Visa

Canada offers a Start-Up Visa Program for entrepreneurs who want to immigrate to Canada and start a business.

Here’s a general overview of the program:

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

•  Have a qualifying business idea that is supported by a designated organization in Canada.

◦  Designated organizations include venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators.

•  Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada and support themselves and their dependents.

•  Meet the language requirements in English or French.

Designated Organizations:

Applicants must have the support of a designated organization in Canada to be eligible for the Start-Up Visa Program. These organizations are responsible for assessing the business idea and its potential for growth and success.

Business Idea Assessment:

The designated organization will assess the business idea based on its potential for growth and job creation in Canada.

Application Process:

Once the applicant receives support from a designated organization, they can apply for permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program. The application process involves submitting various forms and supporting documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Processing Time:

Processing times for the Start-Up Visa Program may vary. Generally, applicants can expect the processing of their application to take several months.

Permanent Residence:

If the application is approved, the applicant and their immediate family members will be granted permanent residence in Canada.

It’s important to note that the Start-Up Visa Program is just one of the pathways for entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada. Other options include Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and the Self-Employed Persons Program.

For the most up-to-date and detailed information on the Start-Up Visa Program and other immigration programs in Canada, it’s recommended to visit the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Additionally, consulting with us as a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC-IRB) could provide personalized guidance based on your circumstances.

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program is a component of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). It allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their overseas offices to Canadian branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates. The program facilitates the temporary entry of skilled personnel to Canada to support business operations.

Here’s an overview of the ICT program in Canada:

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the ICT program, both the employer and the employee must meet specific requirements:

Employer:

The Canadian entity must be a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign company where the employee currently works. The Canadian employer must demonstrate that the employee transfer enhances the company’s productivity and competitiveness or facilitates the transfer of specialized knowledge.

Employee:

The transferred employee must be in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge position. The foreign company must have continuously employed them for at least one year within the last three years preceding the application.

Types of Transfers:

The ICT program facilitates three types of transfers:

• Executive: Individuals primarily responsible for directing the organization’s management or a significant component or function of the organization.

• Senior Managerial: Individuals primarily responsible for establishing the organization’s goals and policies, exercising wide latitude in decision-making, and receiving only general supervision or direction from higher-level executives, the board of directors, or shareholders of the organization.

• Specialized Knowledge: Individuals possessing specialized knowledge essential to the company’s Canadian operations, such as knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management.

Duration of Stay:

The ICT program allows qualified employees to work in Canada for a specified period, typically up to a maximum of five years.

Work Permit Application:

Employers must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption by demonstrating that the intra-company transfer meets the program’s requirements. Once the LMIA exemption is granted, the employee can apply for a work permit at a Canadian visa office or online, depending on their country of citizenship.

Family Members:

Immediate family members of ICT program participants, including spouses and dependent children, may be eligible to accompany them to Canada and apply for open work permits or study permits.

It’s important to note that the ICT program is designed for temporary stays in Canada and does not lead directly to permanent residency. However, individuals who gain experience in Canada through the ICT program may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through other immigration pathways, such as the Express Entry system or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Self Employment

The Self-Employed Persons Program is one of the immigration pathways available for individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada based on their self-employment experience.

Here’s an overview of the program:

Eligibility Criteria:

•  Individuals applying under the Self-Employed Persons Program must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics.

•  They must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to cultural activities, athletics, or agricultural management in Canada.

•  Relevant Experience

Cultural activities include professions and occupations in fields such as music, film, literature, visual arts, culinary arts, and other cultural activities.

Athletics include professional athletes, coaches, and managers involved in high-level competitions.

Selection Criteria:

•  Applicants are assessed based on their experience, education, age, language abilities, and adaptability factors.

•  They must demonstrate that they have been self-employed in cultural activities, athletics, or agricultural management continuously for at least two out of the five years immediately preceding the date of application.

Business Plan:

•  Applicants must submit a detailed business plan outlining their proposed self-employment activities in Canada.

•  The business plan should demonstrate the potential for significant contribution to Canadian culture, athletics, or agricultural management.

Medical and Security Requirements:

Like other immigration programs, applicants and their family members must undergo medical examinations and security clearances.

Application Process:

Applicants must submit their application for permanent residence under the Self-Employed Persons Program to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Once the application is submitted, it undergoes processing, including verification of documents, assessment of eligibility, and security checks.

Permanent Residence:

The applicant and their family members are granted permanent residence in Canada if the application is approved.

It’s important to note that the Self-Employed Persons Program is a pathway to permanent residency in Canada and requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to their self-employment experience and proposed activities in Canada. As with any immigration program, seeking professional guidance or legal advice is advisable to understand the eligibility requirements and application process in detail.