Updated on May 20, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
Our team at Jane Katkova & Associates actively speaks with business owners who want to bring their business, or a branch of it, to Canada. Real businesses, real capital, with a genuine intent to start operating in Canada or bring a brilliant idea that has proved to work in Canada.
But business immigration is an ever-evolving industry, and the odds are that policies and rules that were in place 6 months ago are likely to have changed. The programs that dominated this space are, for the most part, gone. What replaced them is important to understand, as it helps you determine whether you can utilize this program and how it relates to your situation.
What Closed and Why It Matters:
Two federal programs anchored Canada’s business immigration for years. The Start-Up Visa Program was designed for foreign founders with innovative business ideas. Entrepreneurs connected with designated Canadian organizations, such as venture capital funds, angel networks, and business incubators, who assessed their concepts and issued commitment certificates supporting permanent residence applications. There was a backlog which reached over 42,000 people, including dependents.
On January 1, 2026, the IRCC closed the program to new applicants. For anyone who has not received a commitment letter before the end of 2025, the Start-Up Visa is finished.
The Self-Employed Persons Program, designed for artists, elite athletes, and cultural contributors, has been suspended indefinitely. If you have been planning your immigration around either of these programs, you will need to make some changes now that neither of them are no longer viable.
What Is Open in 2026:
Canada still has solely doors open for business owners. But they are very limited.
The C11 Work Permit: This is now one of the federal entry tools for entrepreneurs. It is an LMIA-exempt work permit issued under Canada’s International Mobility Program. There is no recruitment advertising required, no Service Canada approval, and no months-long labour market test is needed.
However, to qualify, you must demonstrate that your business will provide significant benefit to Canada: job creation for Canadians, investment, innovation, export development, or economic activity in a region, and so much more.
The Canadian benefit that Canada will derive from this business is an important requirement and should be strictly followed. You must own at least 51% of the business. You must have relevant management experience in the sector. And you must demonstrate genuine ties to your home country, because IRCC has intensified scrutiny of what it now officially calls “temporary business owner intent.” The C11 gives you legal authority to operate your business in Canada. However, it does not give you permanent residence. That must be pursued separately, when and if you qualify to apply.
Processing time: approximately 3 to 4 months.
Provincial Entrepreneur Programs:
Nine provinces and territories operate active entrepreneur immigration streams in 2026. These are designed specifically for business owners who want to progress from business establishment to a permanent residence nomination through the wider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
The structure is consistent: you enter on a work permit, operate your business for 12 to 20 months, meet performance benchmarks set out in a business agreement signed with the province, then apply for a provincial nomination. That nomination leads to federal permanent residence.
Investment thresholds range from $100,000 in some territorial programs to $600,000 in urban British Columbia.
Active in 2026: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan (select streams), Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Notably, Ontario’s entrepreneur stream is currently suspended. Entrepreneurs targeting Toronto must enter via C11 and then pursue another route.
Who Business Immigration Is Actually For:
Not every business/business owner qualifies. Canada’s entrepreneur programs are for experienced business owners and senior managers, people who have actively owned and managed a business for a minimum of three years, who have verified net worth, and who are prepared to make genuine investments and create real Canadian jobs.
Passive investors do not qualify. Consultants and freelancers whose work could be done from anywhere do not qualify. The business must create a measurable benefit. The owner must be the one running it. These are important factors to consider before making a step.
Intra-Company Transfer – the most important and working is for dessert! Intra-Company Transfer works for Multinational Companies Expanding to Canada or for companies whose branch is already operating in Canada.
If your company already operates in multiple countries and you want to transfer yourself or a key employee to a Canadian office, the Intra-Company Transfer program is the fastest and most direct route, which is robust and well-supported.
The Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) program operates under Canada’s International Mobility Program(IMP). It allows foreign companies to temporarily transfer qualified executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers to their Canadian subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. This program is usually exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Key Details of the ICT Program:
- Program Classification: ICT work permits fall under the IMP (LMIA-exempt), usually coded as C12 for general transfers or C61 for start-up ventures.
- Eligibility: Employees must have been continuously employed by the foreign company for at least 1 year within the 3 years prior to the application.
- Categories: The program covers three categories:
- Executives: Management of the organization
- Senior Managers: Management of a branch or function.
- Specialized Knowledge Workers: Individuals with unique expertise are crucial to the company.
- Work Permit Duration: Initial permits are typically valid for 1 year, with the option to renew for 5-7 years.
- Executives: Management of the organization
IRCC approves the transfer when the application is exhaustive and demonstrates the Canadian branch’s genuine need for the transfer, and because bringing a multinational’s own executive, senior manager, or specialized knowledge worker to Canada is considered a direct benefit to the Canadian economy.
As stated earlier, three categories qualify: executives and senior managers who direct the organization and have broad strategic authority; specialized knowledge workers who hold proprietary knowledge unique to the company’s systems, products, or operations, not just general industry expertise; and new office transfers, where the company is establishing its first Canadian branch and needs the transferee to build the operation from the ground up.
Key requirements: the company must be a genuine multinational with operations in at least two countries outside Canada.
An important requirement is that a qualifying corporate relationship must exist between the foreign and Canadian entities, in which the foreign company is a parent of the Canadian subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. The transferee must have been employed by the foreign company for at least one year within the past three years, in a role similar to the Canadian position. The Canadian entity must have real physical premises: home offices, co-working spaces, and virtual mailing addresses do not qualify under the tightened 2024 rules.
For executives and senior managers, the work permit can be issued for up to 3 years and renewed, depending on whether the transfer is to a start-up branch in Canada or to an already operational branch. The maximum total work permit length for executives in this category is 7 years. Specialized knowledge workers’ work permit validity is capped at five years total. The transferee’s spouse is eligible for an open work permit. Children can attend Canadian schools.
ICT holders who accumulate qualifying Canadian work experience are well-positioned to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry; unlike C11 holders, ICT work experience counts toward eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Can I get Canadian permanent residence just by investing money?
No. Canada has no passive investor immigration program. All active business immigration programs require you to own and manage the business personally and to create jobs for Canadians. - What is the minimum investment to immigrate to Canada as a business owner?
It depends on the province and stream. Territorial programs start at $100,000. Most mid-sized provincial programs require $150,000 to $300,000. Urban British Columbia requires up to $600,000. Net worth requirements are separate and typically two to three times the investment minimum.
- Does my Canadian work experience as a business owner count for Express Entry?
It depends on your work permit. C11 holders: no. C11 does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class. ICT holders: yes. Work experience accumulated on an intra-company transfer work permit does count toward CEC eligibility.
- Can I bring my family with me?
Yes. In most business immigration streams, your spouse is eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer. Your dependent children can attend Canadian schools.
- What if I want to buy an existing business instead of starting one?
Most provincial entrepreneur programs accept the purchase of an existing business. Nova Scotia, in particular, has structured its program to prioritize business succession, the purchase of a business from a retiring Canadian owner.
- Ontario is where I want to be. What are my options?
Ontario’s provincial entrepreneur stream is currently suspended. Your options are: enter on a C11 work permit and operate your business while pursuing PR through another route, or transfer to Ontario via an intra-company transfer if your company qualifies.
At Jane Katkova & Associates, our specialists have over 25 years of practice. Having brought numerous businesses and business owners, executives and specialized knowledge workers to Canada. Not only helping them grow their companies and branch into a new market, but also furthering the Canadian economy, and allowing locals to work in a space that might not have presented them with an opportunity beforehand. Let us help you grow your business and create a like-minded team that will take it to the next step!
