A Step-by-Step Guide for Immigration through the Canada Business Visa

Canada provides a fertile environment for entrepreneurs to establish profitable enterprises, generate employment and foster rapid growth in diverse industry sectors. There are two pathways for business immigration to Canada i.e. the Canada Business Visa Programs:

Start-up Visa Program

Innovative entrepreneurs can become permanent residents by receiving support from designated Canadian organisations for starting a new business and creating jobs in Canada.

Eligibility Requirements

It is necessary to fulfil certain Canada visa requirements to qualify for this pathway. The applicant must:

• Have a qualifying business that meets conditions related to ownership, management and operations. Up to 5 people can apply as owners of a business.
• Obtain a letter of support from a designated organisation, which is a business group that can support or invest in a start-up.
• Fulfil the English or French language proficiency requirements by scoring Canadian Language Benchmark 5 or higher in each test component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of an approved language test.
• Showcase sufficient funds to support themselves and accompanying family members while settling in Canada.

Eligible entrepreneurs can also apply for a short-term work permit to begin developing their business in Canada, while their application for permanent residence is being processed.

Self-employed Persons Program

Those with relevant experience in athletics or cultural activities, and the ability to contribute significantly to the cultural or athletic landscape in Canada, can permanently move to Canada as self-employed persons.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for Canada visa under this program, the applicant – and, if required, family members included in the application – must:

• Have participated in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level, and been self-employed in cultural activities or athletics – with at least two years of relevant experience within the 5 years preceding the application.
• Meet the selection criteria related to age, education, experience, language proficiency and adaptability.
• Undergo a medical examination and obtain police certificates.
• Showcase sufficient funds to support themselves and family members to settle in Canada.

Application Process

Eligible candidates under the Start-up Visa or Self-Employed Persons program can follow a standard application procedure. The outcome is determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 1: Prepare the application package – including the required forms, documents, information, signatures, language test results, and fees – by following the instruction guide and document checklist provided by IRCC.

Step 2: Pay the application fee – which includes the processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, biometrics fee, and third-party fees (medical examination, language test, police certificates) – online through the IRCC website.

Step 3: Mail the completed Canada visa application – after signing the application and forms, paying the fee and attaching a copy of the receipt, as well as supporting documents – to the address mentioned in IRCC’s instruction guide.

Step 4: IRCC typically processes applications for the Self-employed Persons Program within 22 months, whereas Start-up Visa applications are processed within 12 to 16 months. During this period, the applicant and family members may be required to provide biometrics, undergo medical examinations, and obtain police certificates. After due verification, IRCC will issue an entry visa and Confirmation of PR to approved applicants.

The multifarious advantages of immigration through these Canada Business Visa Programs include permanent residence, access to social benefits of a liberal economy, a generous national pension scheme, tax exemptions, publicly-funded healthcare, affordable education, and a high standard of living.