C11 Entrepreneur visa – RainCity Immigration Ltd

What is Canada's C11 Visa?

The C11 visa for Canada is a type of work visa that allows individuals to work for up to 3 years without needing an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) approval. It’s aimed at self-employed individuals or non-Canadian entrepreneurs and falls under the IMP (International Mobility Program) category. Eligible individuals can obtain a C11 visa by either purchasing a Canadian company or establishing a business in Canada, provided they create significant social, cultural, or economic benefits for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and businesses.

Who can apply for Canada's C11 visa?

Business owners

Senior managers

Self-employed individuals

Entrepreneurs

Selected individuals in the provincial immigration programs (PNP) entrepreneurship streams

What types of businesses are suitable for obtaining Canada’s C11 visa?

Any business that offers significant economic, social, or cultural benefits to Canada is eligible, with no restrictions except for businesses that could harm Canada. You can apply for a C11 visa for both seasonal (temporary jobs tied to a certain season or event) and non-seasonal businesses.

Some examples of seasonal businesses eligible for a C11 work permit in Canada:

Outdoor recreation businesses

Retailers of Halloween and Christmas goods

Chimney cleaning companies

Lawn care and maintenance companies

Personal and group trainers

Transport companies

Some examples of non-seasonal businesses and industries eligible for a C11 work permit in Canada:

Food and beverage production

Restaurants and cafes

Beauty clinics

Nail salons

Automotive

Tourism

Clean technology

Financial services

Life sciences

Forestry

Aerospace

Mining

Robotics and industrial automation

Chemical and biochemical

Requirements for obtaining Canada's C11 visa:

1. Applicant eligibility

You need to have a sufficient budget (at least $300,000) to buy a business in Canada or to set up and run a business there.

You should demonstrate enough financial means (about $52,000 for a family of four) to support yourself and your family while in Canada.

You need to have a good command of English to manage your business successfully.

Experience in management is required (the necessary amount of experience depends on the type of business you plan to operate).

2. Business ownership in Canada

You must own more than half or the entire business that you intend to buy or establish in Canada.

3. Having a business plan

You should have a complete business plan that shows key information about your business, such as:

– The proposed business model

– Market research indicating the need for such a business in Canada

– Your business’s hiring plan

– Pricing strategy for your products and services

– Revenue projections

If your business plan is solid and clear, it will significantly convince immigration officers to grant you a C11 work permit for Canada. So, take the time and effort to create the best business plan to demonstrate your commitment, perseverance, research, and interest in working in Canada.

4. Providing significant benefits to Canada

The Canadian government and immigration officers will consider whether your business provides significant benefits to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Canadian businesses when reviewing your C11 visa application. These benefits must be in economic, social, or cultural terms.

In general, officers take several factors into account when evaluating the benefits your business brings to Canada:

– Your business must provide economic, social, or cultural benefits.

– Your business should contribute to the development of a specific industry in Canada.

– Your business must not have a negative impact on the Canadian economy.

An example of a business that does not provide significant benefits:

From the perspective of Canadian immigration, a grocery store in downtown Toronto that employs only a few people does not provide significant economic benefits to Canadians; however, if that same store is located in a less populated area without similar businesses nearby, it could provide substantial benefits to the Canadian community.

The reason: In the second scenario, the shop can create jobs in an area that needs more employment opportunities, provide essential services, and increase the chances of attracting new people to that area.

5. Conducting preliminary activities in Canada

If you carry out the preliminary steps for your business in Canada, the officers will see that you are serious about executing your business plan. Preliminary steps can include things like:

Gathering the necessary funding to start or purchase a business in Canada

Connecting with Canadians who are crucial to the business operation process

Writing a plan to hire qualified individuals so your business can get up and running faster

Choosing a location for your proposed business

In addition to the above, you should demonstrate that you intend to leave Canada after a certain period.

C11 Canada visa costs

Work permit:	CAD 155
Open work permit for spouse:	CAD 155
Work permit holder fee (for spouse):	CAD 100
Child (study permit):	CAD 150
Child (visitor):	CAD 100
Biometrics:	CAD 85

There are other costs, such as company registration fees in Canada, for which you should be prepared.

Financial capacity for C11 Canada visa

The financial capacity you need to show for the C11 visa in Canada is divided into 2 parts:

1. Amount related to the investment in your business in Canada

The amount you should show for this section is around CAD 300,000 to indicate the benefit you are going to bring to Canada.

2. Financial capacity related to living expenses

The amount you present as financial capacity for living expenses depends on the number of family members and should cover a duration of 52 weeks. This amount for a family of four is approximately CAD 52,000.

Required documents for C11 Canada visa application

For the C11 visa in Canada, you must gather 3 groups of documents and submit them with your work permit application:

1. Personal documents

Educational documents

Passport

Birth certificate

Documents of family members

What are the steps to obtain a Canadian C11 visa?

1. Start a new business (registering a company in Canada) or buy an existing Canadian business.

If you’re sure about the immigration method, budget, and eligibility for the C11 work permit, the first step is to choose between starting or buying a business in Canada. Weigh the pros and cons of buying or starting a business in Canada and review factors like market demand, competition, and investment requirements.

If you decide to start a business, you need to handle the company registration in Canada. It’s highly advised to consult with experts before starting a business or investing in Canadian companies since some businesses may not qualify for this visa program.

2. Research and prepare a clear and detailed business plan.

The business plan is the heart and soul of your application for the Canadian C11 visa, and immigration officers carefully read it to evaluate the viability and benefit of your business. So, it’s very important to include essential information such as the business model, hiring plan, pricing strategies, revenue forecasts, and similar details in your business plan to convince the officer that your proposal is necessary, beneficial, and feasible.

Remember to do thorough research before writing the business plan to understand the ins and outs of doing business in Canada and the current needs of the Canadian market and society.

3. Write an operational plan and execute the business plan.

The immigration officer will assess your commitment to starting a business in Canada and review the documents related to every step you’ve taken to implement your business plan. So having an action plan for your business is really important.

This stage is different for everyone. Opening a bank account in Canada and depositing some money can be a small but impactful step. Some people take bigger steps to show their commitment to the business plan.

The initial action plan depends on the nature of your business and the strategy outlined in your business plan, showing that you’re committed to launching the business and fulfilling your obligations.

Here are some examples of what you can do for your initial action plan:

Deposit some money into a Canadian bank account.

Choose a location for your future business in Canada.

Connect with Canadians who can help facilitate the implementation of your business plan.

4. Preparing documents and submitting a C11 work permit application to the immigration office

Once you’ve gathered enough documents proving your commitment and implementation of the business plan, and your translations are complete, you can apply for the C11 visa for Canada as a self-employed or entrepreneur without needing an LMIA permit in Canada.

By submitting your C11 visa application to the Immigration Office in Canada, your case will be reviewed, and you will be notified to also send your biometric results to the immigration office.

5. Receiving the outcome of the C11 work permit application

You will need to wait for the Immigration Office in Canada to decide on your application. They may either approve your application and grant you a visa, or reject it.

If the outcome is positive:

You will receive a work permit for 1 to 3 years as an entrepreneur or self-employed person, and you can start planning to move to Canada. With this work permit, you can only work for your own business in Canada and cannot work for other employers.

If the outcome is negative:

We recommend discussing with an immigration lawyer to develop a specific strategy for you. They may challenge the officer’s negative decision and visa rejection in court, resubmit the case, or write a new application for you.

6. Arriving in Canada and managing the business for 12 months

Once you’re in Canada, it’s time to fully implement your business plan for at least 12 months. Your family members can also come with you to Canada. Your spouse can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada. Your dependent children can also attend public schools in Canada for free.

7. Applying for permanent residency in Canada

Applying for the C11 visa alone does not lead directly to permanent residency because this work permit is temporary. However, after at least one year of being in Canada and running a business that you’ve started with the C11 visa, you can apply to convert your C11 work permit to PR through the Federal Skilled Worker pathway in Canada’s Express Entry system.

After 12 months of managing your business and having a job offer in Canada related to management, you may qualify to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry method (Federal Skilled Worker program); however, there are a few things to keep in mind:

You need to meet the initial requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker program (for example, a minimum CLB 7).

Demonstrate that your business is active in Canada and that it’s essential.

Prove that you have a managerial role in your business.

If you qualify and your score in the Express Entry program is sufficient, you will receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) from the Canadian immigration office.

If your score in the Federal Skilled Worker system is not enough, and if you’re married, you could apply for permanent residency through your spouse.

Important note:

If your score for the Express Entry program is sufficient and you’re married, you might find it easier to obtain PR (permanent residency) through your spouse, and you might not even need to keep your business active in Canada for 12 months! You can talk to our consultants at RainCity to evaluate your situation and show you the best way to get permanent residency in Canada.

Conditions for obtaining a companion visa with the C11 work permit in Canada

Spouse

When you get a C11 visa, your spouse can also apply to immigrate to Canada with you and obtain an open work permit. With an open work permit, they can work for any employer in any job.

Your spouse can even work for your company, but hiring them doesn’t create a job opportunity (benefit) for Canadian citizens or permanent residents!

Children

Dependent children (under 22 who are unmarried and don’t have a common-law partner) can apply for a Canada visa either with you or after you, and they can attend public schools in Canada for free. However, if they plan to go to college or university, that’s a different story, and they will naturally have to pay tuition fees.

Benefits of the C11 visa for Canada

No LMIA is required.

After one year, you can apply for permanent residency (if you qualify).

There’s no requirement to invest the amount mentioned in your business plan.

No language certificate is needed (but it’s highly recommended to have at least an IELTS 5; you need to convince the officer that you will manage a business in Canada; if you don’t know the language, how can they believe you can communicate with clients and manage a business in Canada?!)

Your family can come with you to Canada. Your spouse can apply for an open work permit, and your child can attend public schools in Canada for free.

Convincing the immigration officer for the C11 visa for Canada

If you plan to apply for a C11 visa for Canada, you need to prove the following to the immigration officer:

You will stay in Canada temporarily and will leave once your visa expires.

You own the business or have the majority of the shares of the business you are setting up or purchasing in Canada.

You have relevant work experience in your home country and the ability to manage your business in Canada.

You can make the Canadian business profitable with your skills by purchasing it.

You have the financial capability to execute your business plan.

Your business plan is feasible and actionable.

You have taken significant steps to implement your business plan.

Your business plan will create a “substantial benefit” for Canadian citizens.

Your business plan is well-written and is practical, realistic, and logical

l. Should I start my own business, buy a Canadian company, or purchase a franchise?

The answer to this question depends on your perspective on your business, your experience and mindset, the budget you’ve set aside, and overall, your personal circumstances. You need to consider your personality traits and experiences alongside your resume and, with the help of a specialist, decide which option is right for you.

You should buy a franchise if:

You want to learn how to run a business in Canada and aren’t too concerned about giving up some entrepreneurial freedom;

You’re not a high-risk person;

You don’t mind making a lower profit margin (about 5% to 15%);

You have a budget of up to $300,000.

Read more: Buying a franchise in Canada.

You should purchase a company if:

You don’t want to lose your entrepreneurial freedom in managing the business;

You have sufficient funds for investing in the business and have set aside enough for your expenses (between $250,000 to $500,000);

You can handle a moderate level of risk.

You should start your own business if:

You’re confident in your ability to manage a business in Canada and are excited about the daily interactions with it;

You have a fighting spirit and entrepreneurial mindset;

You have expertise in a specific area and have entrepreneurial experience;

You’re not afraid of taking risks and want to devote your time and effort to building a great business in Canada to achieve excellent income;

You have enough financial resources to invest in your business over the next two years.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a C11 visa for Canada?

Currently, the processing time for a C11 visa application for Canada at the immigration office is about 54 weeks. However, these times are approximate, and you can never say for sure how long it will take to get a result for your application.

Can I bring my family to Canada with a C11 visa?

Yes! Your spouse can come to Canada with an accompanying visa and get an open work permit. Your dependent child (under 22 years old) will also hold a visitor or study permit status. Your children can attend public schools for free or pay tuition to attend colleges and universities in Canada.

How can I obtain a C11 work permit?

If you are eligible and start a business in Canada that brings significant benefits to Canada and its citizens and permanent residents, without causing harm, you can obtain a C11 work permit. You’ll also need to prove to the immigration officer that you are a business owner or self-employed, have a viable business plan, and sufficient financial resources.

What is the C11 immigration category?

The C11 visa for Canada is a type of visa that does not require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), and it falls under the IMP (International Mobility Program) visa category. This visa is a specific type of work permit for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals that allows them temporary entry into Canada without needing to obtain an LMIA.

Can I start my own business in Canada and immigrate?

Yes. Eligible individuals who are not residents of Canada can also start a business in Canada and immigrate through work.

Some immigration paths for entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals include:

C11 work permit for entrepreneurship (C11 visa)

Provincial entrepreneurship visa (PNP method)

Canada startup visa

Of course, you need to keep in mind that starting your own business can come with risks, especially if you’ve never launched a business in a new country before. But if you know the business well and have enough financial resources, with a good business plan, you might be able to succeed.

How much do I need to invest to immigrate to Canada by starting a business?

The Canadian government hasn’t set a minimum investment amount for employers applying for a C11 visa. However, since you need to bring significant benefits to Canada, investing around CAD 300,000 could be an appropriate figure. Financial capability for this method also includes living expenses, which for a family of four would be around CAD 52,000 for 52 weeks.

Can I immigrate to Canada by buying a franchise?

Yes. By purchasing a franchise in Canada, you can also obtain a C11 work permit; however, you need to meet the other requirements of this program because buying a franchise alone won’t lead to permanent residency. To get permanent residency in Canada, you must have at least 12 months of managing the franchise and apply through Express Entry. You also need to fulfill conditions like English language proficiency, education level, and having no criminal record.

Is it possible to extend the C11 work permit for Canada?

You can extend the C11 work permit multiple times. Entrepreneurs and investors who come to Canada with a C11 work permit can apply for permanent residency after managing their business for 12 months, provided they meet the conditions, and convert their C11 work permit to PR.

What does "significant benefit" mean?

A significant benefit from the perspective of the Canadian government is an advantage that has economic, social, or cultural value and is beneficial for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Canadian businesses. Public economic drivers such as job creation, development in remote areas, or expansion of the market for Canadian products and services are considered significant benefits.

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