Welcome to this article about Canada Business Visa Requirements, we will explore the types of Canadian Business Visas and how to apply for them, via Afrokonnect. Canada is a great place to start a business because the country has a strong economy and is one of the most welcoming countries globally.
Entrepreneurs and investors can set up their businesses in Canada quickly. There are also investment visas for investors who want to invest money in Canada, you can apply for an investor visa if you have at least $800,000 available for investment in your new business venture in Canada.
If you want to live and work in Canada, we recommend that you apply for one of the business visas or investor visas, if you’re planning to visit Canada for business reasons, you may need a specific type of visa.
How to Apply for Canadian Business Visa in 2024
You can get a Canadian business visa in 2 easy steps without hassle;
Step 1. Check if you need a visa
If you are planning to go on a business trip to Canada, then it is essential to know your application requirements. There are several ways of applying for a Canadian business visa, depending on what type of work you will be doing in Canada:
Suppose you’re going on an official business trip and have been invited by an organization or company in Canada, in that case, you’ll need to apply for an invitation letter or a sponsorship letter.
This can be done through your host organization or the company in Canada, they’ll give you the information needed so that you can issue the supporting documents required when applying for your Canada visa online.
Suppose there’s no official invitation, but you still want to work temporarily in Canada as an independent contractor (self-employed). In that case, all that’s required is proof of funds (bank statements) and other financial documents, also, you must prove that there’s enough money available for living expenses during your stay in Canada.
Step 2. Submit your application online.
To submit your application, you’ll need:
- A valid passport from the country you live in
- valid email address
- A credit card or debit card to pay the fees
To create an account and make a booking, visit the official website of the Government of Canada. Click “Create my profile” and fill out all of your details as requested in the form.
Once finished, click “Submit” at the bottom of your screen. You should now be taken back to the homepage, where there will be two tabs on top—one says “My bookings” and another says “my applications”. Click on either one depending on whether or not you have created an account yet; if not then go ahead and click “create my profile”.
Types of Canada Business Visa and Requirements in 2024
You’ve come to the right place if you’re planning a trip to Canada, many countries require visas for foreign visitors and business travellers alike, but the process is confusing if you don’t know where to start.
The federal government of Canada regulates business immigration to Canada, immigration officers are authorized to issue work permits for any Canadian employer who has an offer of employment for a foreign worker, in most cases the following criteria’s must be met:
- The position must be full-time, not seasonal or temporary.
- There must be no already existing qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to do the job.
Also, the applications require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) issued by Employment & Social Development Canada.
Canada Investor Visa | Canadian Investment Visa
There are several ways to become a Canadian citizen, the Canadian visa options are very flexible and reliable once you met all the requirements. Investor visas are an excellent way for high net worth individuals to immigrate to Canada.
Still, there are also other ways like the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program or Express Entry program.
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Types Canada Business Visa and Requirements in 2024
You can apply any of the programs below to move your family and start enjoying all that Canada offers!
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Investor visa – Entrepreneur visas
The investor visa is a non-immigrant visa under which you can immigrate to Canada if you meet specific investment requirements.
The capital required for the Canadian Investor Visa is CAD$800,000 (or USD $1,600,000), you must have this money available in your bank account during your stay in Canada. Entrepreneur visas (also known as entrepreneur or investor visas) allow the holders of these special work permits to work in Canada by investing in the Canadian economy.
To be eligible for the Canadian entrepreneur visa, you must meet specific language requirements, you must have a minimum of CLB 5, the same as an IELTS score of 5.0. You can take your test anywhere globally, and there are many test centres available in Canada.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still be eligible for other types of visas, such as the Skilled Worker or Quebec Investor Program. To qualify for a Quebec entrepreneur visa, your net worth must be at least CAD 800,000.
This amount is calculated by taking the total value of all of your assets and subtracting any debts or liabilities you have. For example, if you own an apartment worth $300,000 and have a car loan for $100,000, your net worth would be equal to $200,000 ($300k – 100k = 200k).
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The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is a permanent residence program that allows you to immigrate to Canada if you meet the following qualifications:
- You have at least two years of practical experience in operating a business.
- You have an innovative idea that will create new jobs in Ontario.
- If you plan to settle in Ontario and can speak English or French at the Canadian Language Benchmark 7 level or higher.
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British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Entrepreneur Immigration stream.
You will need a minimum of CAD 200,000 in net worth, you can invest a minimum of CAD 75,000 into the B.C. economy through an eligible investment. The business you wish to establish or purchase must be able to create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Landed Immigrant).
Canada Business Visa Requirements
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Startup Visa Program
Canada’s startup visa program is a permanent resident visa for entrepreneurs who own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs, if you’re a skilled worker or entrepreneur from an eligible country, you can apply for the Startup Visa Program.
This program allows you to come to Canada if you meet certain conditions, and, if you’re willing to contribute to economic growth by starting or buying a business in Canada. You must have access to at least CDN $300,000 (or its equivalent) for your investment. RECOMMENDED: How to Start and Register a Business In Canada.
If you plan to live outside the Province of Quebec, make sure you apply for a provincial nominee program (PNP) before applying for the Startup Visa. For example, Ontario has the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) version.
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Self-employed Persons Program – Types of Canadian Business Visa
The Self-employed Persons Program allows you to apply for a visa if you have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and intend to be able to be self-employed in Canada. However, to get this visa you must also have the following requirements:
- Enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada,
- A valid travel document (for example, a passport), and
- Be able to prove that you have enough money for transportation costs.
- Meet language requirements
To meet the language requirements, you will have to prove that you can communicate in English or French. You will need to take a test from one of the following four approved institutions:
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test d’évaluation du français international (TOEIC) – Canadian version
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – Canadian version
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module
Types of Canadian Business Visa
Entrepreneur Immigration To Canada
You can apply for a Canadian work permit or P.R. by using the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website. Once you’ve applied, IRCC will send you a receipt confirming they’ve received it within 14 days of submission (12 business days if sent via courier).
The actual processing time varies depending on how busy IRCC is; Currently, waiting times range between four weeks and six months. If your application is successful, IRCC will send back another receipt informing you that they’ve granted your request and outlining what comes next.
Permanent Residence Program
The entrepreneur program is the fastest way to obtain permanent residency if you have a business that operates in Canada. To qualify, your business must have been working in Canada for at least two years before applying, and you must own at least 1/3 of the company.
You’ll also need to have created at least one job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within that time frame.
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Canada immigration categories
There are many different types of Canadian immigration available for those who want to live and work in Canada. These include:
- Entrepreneur Immigration:
The entrepreneur category is for applicants who intend to establish a business in Canada.
- Investor Immigration:
The investor category is for applicants who intend to make a significant investment in Canada.
- Self-Employed Business Person (Immigrant):
This program allows certain self-employed professionals to immigrate independently without having an employer sponsor them. The applicant must have been self-employed in their area of expertise for at least two years within the last five years,
With a minimum income level that the government has determined before applying under this program (for example, $50 thousand per year).
Canada Business Visa Requirements: Canadian Visa Types in 2024
Conclusion
If you plan to visit Canada for business purposes, don’t forget to apply for a business visa, I also recommend you consider the average Cost of Living in Canada first. To qualify for a Canadian immigration visa, you must prove that you have the necessary skills, financial strength and experience for your intended occupation.
Some of these requirements are set by Canada’s federal government, and some are left to individual provinces. Canada has many programs that are designed to attract entrepreneurs and investors.
For example, there are business visas for entrepreneurs who want to start their own company in Canada. The entrepreneur visa allows you to live in Canada for up to 3 years while building your company and creating jobs for Canadians.
Thank you for reading through this article about Canada Business Visa, we explored the types of Canadian Visa, Requirements and how to apply. Before you leave, please let us know what you think via the comment section below.
