Several best ways to immigrate to Canada for business

Canadian immigration laws are complex, and choosing the right visa route is crucial for entrepreneurs who plan to work and live here. Canada offers two main types of visas for professionals: temporary visas and permanent residence visas. For those applicants seeking quick access to the Canadian market, applying for a temporary visa to the country may be a more preferable option. This article explores the three important temporary business visas available for entrepreneurs, including intra-company transfer (ICT), startup visa, and owner/operator LMIA-based business visa. Relevant eligibility requirements, restrictions, and benefits are summarized below.

What is a Canadian temporary visa?

As the name suggests, a temporary visa/permit is valid for a certain period of time and must be renewed to continue living and working in Canada. Temporary visas are a preferred option for some professionals. Generally, they are easier to apply for and tend to be approved faster.

Canadian Permanent Residency and Other Business Immigration Options
A permanent resident visa allows you to obtain permanent resident status in Canada, so you can work and live in Canada for a long time. This is a good option for entrepreneurs who plan to settle in Canada for the long term and eventually obtain Canadian citizenship. Entrepreneurs who plan to move to Canada can consider other opportunities at the same time, such as purchasing a franchise of a relevant business in the country, applying for an entrepreneurial visa or the Provincial Nominee Program.

Here are a few convenient ways for entrepreneurs and investors to come to Canada to run a business and potentially settle in Canada permanently:

Intra-Company Transferee Work Visa (ICT) Multinational company internal dispatch work visa
This visa is best for entrepreneurs who already have a business overseas and want to establish a related new business in Canada. This visa allows entrepreneurs to move to Canada and establish new businesses in Canada. Entrepreneurs who want to obtain an ICT work visa must register their company in Canada, show proof of business address (which can be a law firm), and provide a detailed business plan, including financial forecasts and personnel recommendations. Existing foreign operations must also have been operating continuously in the country for at least 12 months. If these conditions are met, the applicant may be granted a one-year work visa.

An important condition for the ICT visa is that the business must be operational in Canada within one year. While the specific requirements will vary from company to company, this usually means hiring at least one new employee and having an office in Canada. Business owners may also be required to prove that the company is fulfilling contract orders, holding inventory and having a source of revenue.

Project Description:

The business owner (company executive/professional) has worked for the foreign company for at least 12 months before applying.
Forming a new company in Canada.
Initial investment amount:

There is no minimum investment required, but the foreign company (or business owner) must show sufficient funds in its bank account to conduct business in Canada. We recommend that applicants show a minimum of $150,000-$200,000 CAD.
Registration and equity documents of overseas companies
Proof of business of the overseas company (e.g. taxes, bank statements, financial statements, licenses, company lease contracts, employee insurance/payroll receipts, marketing materials, contracts, etc.)
Applicant’s personal documents (educational diploma, employer letter, passport, marriage certificate, passport photo, bank statement, company ownership certificate or company employment certificate)
Business plan of a Canadian company (can be provided by a Canadian lawyer)

Initial visa validity period:

1 to 2 years
If you meet certain conditions, you can apply for renewal
family member:

Family members can join the main applicant. Spouses can apply for an open work visa. The child then applies for a student visa and may attend public school for free.
medical insurance:

Applicants and family members receive free medical care while the visa is valid.
Processing time

Typically 1 to 3 months (depending on the Canadian embassy where documents are collected and approved)
Permanent Residence

Applicants can choose from different permanent residence applications based on their business and language skills.
Owner/Operator LMIA-based work visasBusiness owner/operator work visa

This work visa is for business professionals who want to buy a business or establish a new business in Canada and hold a management position in that business. Often, the goal of these entrepreneurs is to immigrate to Canada permanently. Applicants who receive this visa will become employees of their Canadian company. This means that the company must demonstrate that it can pay applicants wages that meet relevant Canadian wage requirements.

Application is usually divided into two steps. First, entrepreneurs must apply to Employment and Skills Development Canada (ESDC) to obtain a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once they receive a positive LMIA, applicants can apply for a work visa that is valid for up to 2 years. After obtaining a work visa, in most cases the applicant will be able to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry program.
*This type of work visa increases opportunities for business professionals to apply for Express Entry permanent immigration to Canada. *
Project Description:
Entrepreneurs own controlling interests in Canadian businesses.
Initial investment amount:
There is no minimum investment requirement, but the Canadian company must show in its bank account that it has sufficient funds to pay the foreign employee’s salary (we recommend approximately 150,000 to 200,000 Canadian dollars).
needed file:

Proof of the applicant’s ownership of the Canadian company (e.g., registration documents, stock purchase agreement)
Proof of funds of the Canadian company (e.g. company bank statement)
Proof of Canadian business (e.g., marketing materials, company website, contracts, invoices)
Applicant’s personal documents (educational diploma, employment certificate, passport, marriage certificate, passport photo, bank statement, proof of business and management experience, etc.)
Business plan of a Canadian company (can be provided by a Canadian lawyer)
Initial visa validity period:
1 to 2 years
If you meet certain conditions, you can apply for renewal
family member:
Family members can join the main applicant. Spouses can apply for an open work visa. The child then applies for a student visa and may attend public school for free.
medical insurance:
Applicants and family members receive free medical care while the visa is valid.
Processing time
Typically 2 months (depending on the Canadian Embassy for document collection and approval)
Permanent Residence
There is a good chance of applying for permanent residence in Canada START-UP VISA Entrepreneurship Visa

Canada’s Startup Visa is designed to attract entrepreneurs from around the world to Canada and provide them with the support, including funding, they need to build businesses that can compete globally and provide jobs for Canadians.
Project Description:
If you want to immigrate to Canada through this program, you will need support from a Canadian venture capital fund, an angel investor group, or a business incubator.
A Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator must be an institution designated by the Canadian government to participate in the Entrepreneur Start-up Visa Program.
Investment amount:
If the investment is from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, a minimum investment of CAD$200,000 must be secured.
If the investment comes from a designated group of Canadian angel investors, a minimum investment of CAD$75,000 must be obtained.
If you are accepted into the Canadian Business Incubator Program, there is no investment requirement.
Processing time
Usually 12 to 16 months