C11 Work Visa Program

Canada is home to an increasing population and a growing economy, making it the perfect location for expanding businesses. Canada, as a nation, welcomes foreign investment and embraces business immigrants. Non-Canadian businesses have a lot to gain from such a welcoming environment and as such, we invite foregin businesses to consider doing business in Canada. This country has a lot to offer you than just beautiful nature and free healthcare.

Canada is one of the most business-friendly countries in the world. Forbes ranked Canada number 6 in its list of best countries for business. On top of that, thanks to the Canada-USA-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, the new version of NAFTA), businesses in Canada still maintain access to the entire US market.

Canada has certain advantages not available everywhere else. These advantages include:

• Highly skilled workforce;
• A welcoming business evnironment that has low taxes;
• Access to the US and Mexican markets and other free trade agreement countries;
• A dynamic economy with a market of over 30 million consumer;
• Sophisicated infrastructure and a modern transportation network;
• Low costs of starting and operating businesses

Entrepreneurs and self-employed indeividuals must demonstrate that their business in Canada would generate significant economic, social, or cultural benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Factors considered when determining “significant opportunities”:

• Will the applicant create a viable business that will benefit Canadians?
• Will the business create new jobs for Canadians?
• WIll the business improve/increase the export of Canadian products/services?
• Will there be any technological or other advancements in the Canadian industry? Though the introduction of innovation, differentiation or improved skills?
• Will the business contribute to the development of a regional or remote community?
• Will the business provide a unique service or sell unique products?

To receive a positive decision for the C11 work visa application, entrepreneurs must demonstate the following:

At least 50% ownership in the proposed business in Canada (less that that would nessitate LMIA);
A business plan that clearly shows that the proposed business is unique or will provide benefit to Canda(social, economic or cultural)
Registation of a business as a legal entity in Canada;
Evidence of having industry background or managerial skills that will improve the viability of the business in Canada;
Evidence of having the finicial ability to begin the proposed business and pay expenditures in Canada;
A staffing plan for the next 2-3 years

No Minimum Investment Requirement

Although entrepreneurs must demonstrate the financial ability to establisha viable business in Canada. there is no requirement to transfer a certain amount of funds to their Canadian company before receiving a work visa. Entrepreneurs may choose to demonstrate their financial ability to support the Canadian enterprise by showing tax reports, bank statements or other evidence of their financial situation.

Family, Health Care & Schooling

Entrepreneurs may bring their families to Canada during their employment period in Canada. The spouse of the foreign entrepreneur may obtain permission to work in Canada, while children can go to publicly funded schools for free. The worker and his/her family can also get acccess to free health care availablefor the residents and citizens of Canada.

Developing Business Concept

The initial step in the process is to develop a business concept for the proposed business in Canada. Applicants are required to collect all documents related to their business idea, experience, personal and financial documents.

Company Formation in Canada

Registration of a company in Canada. Canadian Company must be owned or controlled by the applicant.

Application Pakage & Job Offer

Application package consists of a number of documents, including a business plan, job offer from the Canadian enterprise, corporate & personal documents of foreign entity and the applicant and etc.

Application & Decision

Once all documents are collected and the application package is ready, the application is submitted online to the responsible office for further processing . Within 1-2 months the applicants may receive a work visa & arrive to Canada.

Business Concept

Business concept or description of the idea.
Evidence of past self-employment or managerial experience
Evidence of financial capacity
Canadian company registration documents
Business plan for Canadian expansion
Personal Documents

Passport and ID documents
Marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates
Educational credientials and certificates
Professional Resume
Business plan for Canadian expansion

Rural Renewal Stream
Candidates who have a job offer from an employer in Alberta, to work in rural communities in Alberta are eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream. Candidates in this stream must first get the endorsement of a participating community in Alberta. Employers send job offers to designated communities, and the community is responsible for verifying that the individual satisfies the stream requirements. After receiving the letter of support, the foreign national submits their application to the AAIP.

To apply for this stream, you must

Have a valid full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta company to work in a qualified occupation in a specified community.
Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an approved occupation in the 18 months before your application and this work experience might include the time spent in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada, or internationally.
Meet minimum language requirements.
Have a high school certificate corresponding to the Canadian educational standard is required, and
Show that they have enough money to maintaion themesleves and other family meembers who will be relocating to the designated region.

Once you become a permanent resident of Canada and after living in canada for 3 years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship. To become a citizen, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada;
• Have phusically spent in Canada 3 out of the last 5 years.
• Have filed your taxes, if you need to.
• Pass a basic test on your rights, responsibilities and knowledge of Canada.
• Prove your basic language skills