As per the Canadian Government’s recent mandate, the Owner Operator Program Canada program will no longer have the unique Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) processing. The provision was for owner/operator category candidates that ease the process with faster processing. Many business applicants may suffer a delay in the application process.

Under the owner-operator program, the applicant purchases a business in Canada and employs himself/herself in his/her own business. Then, the applicant applies for Canadian Work Permit (Temporary Foreign Worker Program) to work in his/her own business. They get a 12 or 24 months permits, and with that visa, the applicant can apply for permanent residency under Canada Express Entry.

At present, the applicants are exempt from the advertising and recruitment requirements to receive a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under Canada Business Immigration. However, this exemption will be removed as the Govt. aims to prioritize Canadian Residents and Citizens’ employment against foreign temporary workers. It will also remove all the provisions for owner operation applicants and be considered the same as the fellow Temporary Foreign Worker Program applicants. With the new law, the applicant will need to demonstrate reasonable and documented efforts to hire himself/herself for the position, which is now meant for Canadian permanent residents or citizens. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) also ensure the TFWP continues to work within its intended purpose.

What are the other options for owner operator program applicants?

The Owner Operator Program Canada program applicants can take two possible route:

• Canada Intra-company Transfer – Under the program, the applicant can open a branch in Canada as a subsidiary to your business in your native country. The business structure should be either parent-branch, parent-subsidiary, or affiliate relationship. After establishing the subsidiary, the applicant can take the work permit route to employ himself/herself in the senior management position.
• Canada Self Employed Program – Under the program, the applicants can establish a self-employment business in Canada. If the applicant wishes to work from outside of Canada, he/she must own 50 percent of the company. And, in this case, the applicant is eligible for an LMIA-exempt work permit.

If you wish to explore more business possibilities in Canada and attain permanent residency, you can opt for our free Canada Business Immigration counseling. You can reach us @ 8595338595 or mail us at [email protected].