C11 work visa

 

The C11 work permit is exempt from the LMIA and is intended for entrepreneurs to establish and manage a business in Canada.

Canada needs entrepreneurs as much as it needs a skilled and talented workforce. As one of the IMP programs, the C11 work visa is one of the most popular programs for obtaining a work visa to establish a business in Canada. However, if you don’t have the right guidance and assistance, business immigration can seem a bit more difficult than other methods.

One of the important features of this program is that the considered active business does not need financial support from specific organizations and will not be covered by the startup program. It is also not the same as the federal self-employment program, which is only for athletes and other self-employed people in the cultural field. It is also different from entrepreneurial programs or provincial nomination programs that often require high net worth assets and/or require a specified minimum investment.

So if the options mentioned above do not suit your situation, you can consider the C11 work permit under the IMP program.

Requirements for this program:

• Have demonstrable skills, background and experience to start a successful business in Canada or buy an existing business and manage it successfully.
• Have at least 50% or more of the shares in your business.
• Prove that your admission to Canada will bring significant economic, social or cultural benefits or opportunities to Canadian citizens or residents. This is a key requirement of this program and many factors are considered when evaluating the “significant benefits” parameter. Some of the points that are taken into consideration in this regard are:

Is your business plan feasible and will it benefit Canadians? Will the business viability improve because of your skills and resume?

Will it create jobs for Canadians?

Will it lead to regional development and/or more exports from Canada?

Does your business help introduce new technology or innovative measures that improve the skills of Canadians?

Steps of this program:

• Meet work permit eligibility requirements.
• Start a business with at least 50% ownership in Canada.
• As a business owner, issue yourself a job offer to work for your business.
• Apply for a work permit based on this job offer.
• After the work permit is approved, enter Canada and work in Canada.

 

Advantages of this program:

• No need to provide a language certificate
• No minimum education required
• No age limit
• No need for LMIA license
• Absence of scoring system and interview during the progress of the case
• The possibility of accompanying the main applicant’s family (wife and dependent children)
• The possibility of converting a temporary work visa into a permanent residence
• Faster and simpler process than other work immigration programs

 

The purpose of obtaining a C11 visa is defined in two ways:

1- Applicants for employment in Canada with a work permit and temporary residence

These individuals must both be eligible for a C11 visa and convince the Immigration Department that they will leave Canada once the job is completed. Usually, the validity period of this visa is 2 years.

2- Applicants for permanent residency in Canada

It is not possible to obtain Canadian permanent residence through the C11 visa at the very beginning and the applicant must prove his qualification and ability in the field of usefulness and positive impact on the Canadian economy and labor market. If a person applies for permanent residence, he can also extend his work visa. To apply for a permanent residence, after 1 year has passed, the following conditions must be met:

• Successfully manage your business
• Registering the application and receiving the invitation from the Immigration Department to send the file through Express Entry
• Having the minimum requirements and points necessary for the Express Entry program

Important point: Although there are no special conditions for obtaining a work permit in this program, in order to convert your temporary residence into a permanent residence with the help of the Express Entry program, you will need to have conditions such as a language certificate, age, level of education, work experience, etc., so it is better. Before participating in the Express Entry system, consider your conditions and characteristics.