Temporary Foreign Worker
Program
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
(TFWP) is the stream for Canadian
employers to hire foreign workers who do
not hold an open work permit or study
permit. It is also used for business
owners/ operators wishing to temporarily
work in Canada operating a
business.
A
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
application is required to determine if
the employer is allowed to hire a
foreign worker to operate its business.
These applications will be assessed
using the normal process for LMIA
applications.
Applicants must
meet all the regular LMIA requirements
such as advertising, valid job offer,
and compatible wage previously waived
for this category of workers.
After obtaining a positive LMIA, the
business owner/operator can apply for a
work permit and, if approved, start
operating the business in Canada.
Whether
the business owner/operator decides to
live permanently in Canada, it is
possible to apply for permanent
residency. A positive LMIA gives the
candidate extra points when applying for
Permanent Residency via Federal Express
Entry.
There is no minimum net worth required
to apply to the TFWP.
Talk to our business specialists to
learn about this program.
International Mobility
Program
Entrepreneur or Self-Employed
Category
The International Mobility Program
allows entrepreneurs or self-employed
foreigners, seeking to open a new
business in Canada or buy an existing
one, temporarily work and operate the
business while in Canada without a
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Under the Entrepreneur or Self-Employed
category of IMP, qualified applicants
will be granted a two-year work permit.
As this is temporary authorization to
work in Canada, applicants must convince
Immigration Officers they will leave the
country at the end of the period
permitted for their stay.
Work permits issued under this Program
can be extended provided that the
entrepreneur meets certain criteria to
remain in Canada for a long-term.
Applicants need to show that their
admission to Canada to operate their
business would generate significant
economic, social or cultural benefits or
opportunities for Canadian citizens or
permanent residents.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) consider the following
factors to define if the benefit is
significant:
-
The work is likely to create a viable
business that will benefit Canadian or
permanent resident workers or provide
economic stimulus
-
The applicant has a particular
background or skills that will improve
the viability of the business
-
There is a business plan that clearly
shows that the applicant has taken
steps to initiate their business
-
The applicant has taken some measures
to put the business plan in action,
showing evidence of having the
financial ability to begin the
business and pay expenditures, renting
space, having a staffing plan,
obtaining a business number, showing
ownership documents or agreements,
etc.
Requirements
Applicants need to own at least 50% of
the business to be eligible for a work
permit through the International
Mobility Program – entrepreneur or
self-employed category.
If the entrepreneur eventually decides
to live permanently in Canada, it is
required to apply for a permanent
residency program.
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
(CUSMA)
Trade Agreements is another category of
the International Mobility Program, also
designed for entrepreneurs and
investors.
Canada, U.S., and Mexico entered into
the Canada-United States-Mexico
Agreement to facilitate trade and revoke
barriers to do business among them.
CUSMA eliminates the need for a Labour
Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for all
business persons covered by the
Agreement.
Citizens of the U.S. and Mexico seeking
to enter Canada to operate a business
for the purpose of trade of goods or
services, or investment activities are
authorized to do under the CUSMA.
Business visitors from these countries
are not required to hold a work permit.
The other categories of business persons
who can enter Canada through the IMP -
CUSMA need first to obtain a work
permit.
Categories of business persons who can
enter Canada under the CUSMA:
-
Business visitors – do not need a work
permit to enter Canada
-
Professionals (according to list of
eligible professions under the CUSMA)
– need a work permit to enter Canada
-
Intra-company transferees - need a
work permit to enter Canada
-
Traders and investors – need a work
permit to enter Canada
Start-Up Visa Program
Designed for entrepreneurs with
innovative ideas, skills, and the
ability to start and grow a business in
Canada, the Start-Up Visa Program is an
option for investing in the country and
a pathway for Canadian permanent
residency.
Entrepreneurs need to have a qualifying
business and support from venture
capital funds, an angel investor group,
and/or a business incubator listed as
designated organizations by Immigration
Canada to apply for the Start-Up Visa
Program.
It is mandatory that applicants and the
designated organization jointly hold
more than 50% of the total voting rights
at the time of submission.
Usually, the applicants are required to
submit a business plan to the designated
organization. A complete, detailed, and
well-elaborated business plan is
essential at this stage to increase the
chances of a successful application.
One or more organizations can review the
business proposal and, at their own
discretion, choose to invest in or
support a start-up business.
A work permit is required to start
working in Canada. Upon receiving a
commitment certificate and a support
letter from one or more designated
organizations, the investor can apply
for a work permit.
The minimum language requirement for
this Program is level 5 of CLB (Canadian
Language Benchmark) in either English or
French in all of the four skills.
Lastly, applicants need to provide
biometrics, medical exams, police
certificates and prove having enough
money to afford the costs to settle in
Canada.
By the end of the permanent residency
process, the applicant needs to
demonstrate active and ongoing
management of this business from within
Canada, that the business is
incorporated in Canada and an essential
part of the operations of the business
happens in Canada.
Self-Employed Persons Program
Self-employed persons with relevant
experience in cultural activities or
athletics and wish to live permanently
in Canada can apply for the
Self-Employed Persons Program. The
applicant must be willing and able to
make a significant contribution to the
cultural or athletic life of Canada.
At least two years of experience is
required, considered the period starting
five years before the submission date
until the date a decision is made on the
application.
Applicants are graded based on five
selection criteria and a point system
with a maximum score of 100. The current
pass mark is 35.
Experience (35
points)
- Education (25 points)
- Age (10 points)
- Language Abilities (24 points)
- Adaptability (6 points)
Lastly, applicants need to provide
biometrics, medical exams, police
certificates and prove having enough
money to afford the costs to settle in
Canada.
