Exploring business opportunities in Canada? The C11 Work Permit is your gateway to realizing entrepreneurial dreams in one of the world’s most vibrant business landscapes. Join GMN Group as we unveil the untapped potential of the C11 program, offering insights, eligibility criteria, and valuable tips for a seamless application process.
The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit, part of the International Mobility Program (IMP), empowers foreign entrepreneurs and investors to secure a work permit in Canada as self-employed individuals. Initial permits, typically valid for two years, are extendable based on the business’s ongoing success. Operating under the C11 permit opens avenues for permanent residency in Canada.
The C11 Work Permit caters to diverse individuals:
Ideal for those:
Embarking on the C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit journey involves understanding the critical “Significant Benefit to Canada” requirement. GMN Group simplifies the assessment with eight key criteria:
Viable Business Creation: Evaluate if your work is poised to create a thriving business benefiting Canadian or permanent resident workers, or stimulating economic growth.
Specialized Background or Skills: Showcase how your unique background or skills enhance the viability of your business in Canada.
Robust Business Plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan, showcasing your initiative steps to kickstart your venture.
Actionable Business Plan: Demonstrate tangible measures taken to implement your business plan, such as financial readiness, space acquisition, staffing plans, and legal documentation.
Language Proficiency: Verify your language abilities, ensuring they align with the operational needs of your business.
Nature of Business: Clarify if your business is temporary (e.g., seasonal) or intended for long-term establishment, influencing your indeterminate presence.
Indeterminate Business Presence: Determine if your business requires your ongoing presence indefinitely, impacting its long-term viability.
Spin-off Benefits: Highlight any additional benefits resulting from your self-employment, contributing positively to the Canadian community.
When scrutinizing the “significant benefit to Canada” requirement, immigration officers focus on three main aspects:
Economic Impact: Ensure your business creates a positive economic impact by generating jobs, participating in regional development, or contributing to Canadian exports.
Industry Advancement: Demonstrate how your business advances a specific industry through innovation, technology contributions, or creating skill-enhancing opportunities for Canadian workers.
Avoiding Negative Impact: Steer clear of activities that may adversely affect Canadian culture, economy, or society.
When you pursue the Entrepreneur Work Permit (C11), your family can join the adventure. Spouses may secure open work permits, while children can obtain study permits. Let your family be part of your Canadian business venture, with GMN Group supporting your journey!
Whatever your decision, meticulous planning is key. Consider potential self-employment status for your spouse and explore PR pathways. Consult with our lawyers to align your decisions with both short-term business goals and long-term aspirations.
When seeking an ideal business for purchase, it’s recommended to explore enterprises in the following prioritized industries:
For eager entrepreneurs and self-driven business enthusiasts, the C11 entrepreneur work permit pathway offers the opportunity to establish and manage businesses in Canada. Yet, initiating a new business can be a venture fraught with risk, especially if it’s your first time setting up shop in a new country.
However, if you are well-versed in a particular field and possess a strong understanding of your business model, starting your enterprise in Canada might be a viable option, particularly if you have the financial means to execute your business plan
There isn’t a specific minimum business investment set by Immigration Canada for eligibility under the C11 entrepreneur work permit or permanent residence. Your capability to build a successful enterprise in Canada that generates job opportunities for Canadians and contributes to the economic and social development of your business’s region is pivotal. Hence, focus on establishing a thriving business rather than on immigration documentation, as the success of your business primarily determines your application’s success. From our experience, budgeting for a minimum of $250,000 for the business and allocating roughly $100,000 for initial operational expenses is advisable.
The choice largely depends on your business outlook, experience, available capital, and confidence in operating a business in Canada. Here are some considerations:
Consider a franchised business if:
Opt for a non-franchised business if:
Start your own business if:
Setting aside at least $300,000 for a Canadian business and an additional $50,000 to $100,000 for miscellaneous expenses is recommended. You can utilize our fee calculator to estimate your immigration file’s costs.
Yes, your spouse can join you in Canada with an open work permit, and your dependent children can receive study permits. You and your family may also access the provincial health care system, and your children can attend public schools.
