How Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Can Legally Work in Canada

Canada’s LMIA-Exempt Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners has become one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — business immigration pathways for entrepreneurs and business owners.

On paper, Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners looks simple:

• no LMIA,
• temporary entry,
• business ownership or control,
• “significant benefit to Canada”.

In reality, most refusals do not happen because the applicant is unqualified.

They happen because:

• the business is structured incorrectly,
• the applicant’s role is not positioned clearly,
• the “significant benefit” argument is weak or generic,
• or the immigration strategy does not align with IRCC’s discretionary assessment under R205(a).

At Anyvisa, we do not treat Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners as a single service. We treat it as a strategic framework, where the immigration outcome depends on the business reality behind the application. That is why we offer three distinct Service Packages, each aligned with a different entrepreneurial profile.

Why Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Requires a Tailored Approach

This category is not checklist-based.

There is no guaranteed approval threshold.

Immigration officers assess:

• why your presence in Canada is required now,
• how your role delivers measurable benefit,
• whether the business structure supports that claim,
• and whether the application demonstrates credibility, intent, and compliance.

This means: the same work permit category can lead to approval or refusal depending entirely on how the case is built.

A founder launching a business from scratch, an investor acquiring a company, and an entrepreneur with an existing operation should not apply under the same strategy.

Package 1: Strategic Business Establishment & Immigration Support (VIP)

For entrepreneurs establishing a new business in British Columbia

This package is designed for founders who are starting fresh in Canada and require more than immigration paperwork.

The focus is not “opening a company”.

The focus is building a compliant business foundation that supports a work permit approval.

This package integrates:

• immigration-focused business structuring,
• significant-benefit positioning,
• settlement and operational readiness,
• and long-term planning toward permanent residence.

It is suited for entrepreneurs who understand that: If the business is weak on paper, the immigration application will be weak as well.

This is a VIP, end-to-end strategy, not a template solution.

Package 2: Business Acquisition Support & Immigration Strategy

For entrepreneurs purchasing an existing business in British Columbia

Buying a business in Canada does not automatically qualify someone for Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners.

IRCC does not approve applications based on:

• purchase price alone,
• ownership percentage alone,
• or investment size alone.

Officers assess:

• active management,
• operational necessity,
• and how the applicant’s presence delivers a real, ongoing benefit.

This package is built for entrepreneurs who are:

• acquiring an existing Canadian business,
• taking on an active ownership or management role,
• and applying for work permit based on operational involvement.

It combines immigration strategy with deep Canadian market experience, ensuring the acquisition is:

• immigration-compliant,
• operationally credible,
• and defensible under officer scrutiny.

This package is ideal for clients who want their investment and immigration strategy aligned, not treated separately.

Package 3: Immigration Services Only

For entrepreneurs who already have a business or acquisition plan in place

Some clients already have:

• an established Canadian business,
• a finalized acquisition,
• or a mature operational structure.

What they need is not business setup — but precision immigration strategy.

This package focuses exclusively on:

• eligibility assessment,
• significant-benefit positioning,
• documentation review, and full work permit preparation.

It is best suited for experienced entrepreneurs who require:

✔ compliance,

✔ clarity,

✔ and refusal-risk prevention.

In discretionary categories like Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners, how the case is presented often matters more than what the business does.

One Category. Three Realities. One Common Risk.

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make with C11 is assuming:

“One application fits all.”

It doesn’t.

Misclassification, weak positioning, or mismatched strategy can lead to refusal — even with a legitimate business.

That is why our packages are built around real business scenarios, not immigration theory.

Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Explained | Dr. Alex Titov

👉 Watch the full video here:

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Strategy First. Application Second.

The Work Permit for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners can be a powerful entry point to Canada — and a strategic bridge toward permanent residence — when used correctly.

If you are considering applying under this category, professional assessment is the first step.

Need Guidance?

Start with a Free Pre-Assessment or Book a Consultation with Anyvisa.