Launch your Canadian business venture through the C11 Work Permit pathway. From initial eligibility assessment to final work permit approval, our business immigration consultants can handle every aspect of your C11 Visa application.
Canada welcomes a large number of foreign entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals each year. Many individuals come to Canada through Intra-Company Transfer and Canada Investment Visa Programs. Others come to Canada through a lesser-known method of obtaining a C11 Work Visa for Entrepreneurs.
Although it offers many possibilities, the C11 Visa Category remains one of Canada’s least popular entrepreneur immigration pathways. At ELAAR, we’re committed to bringing light to this unique visa category.
The C11 Work Permit or C11 Visa Canada is a unique Canadian work permit visa issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP). It is provided to foreign entrepreneurs and investors who intend to work as self-employed individuals who can run a business in Canada.
The work permit is typically valid for two years, which gives candidates plenty of time to set up and operate their businesses. The C11 Work Permit can also be extended multiple times.
Entrepreneurs and investors who come to Canada under a C11 Category Work Permit should note that this is a temporary work permit, not a pathway to permanent residence.
However, after operating their business successfully, they may become eligible to apply for permanent residence through other programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), using their established Canadian business track record to strengthen their application.
Receive professional assistance with C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit for Canada
The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit is typically issued to individuals under the following two main categories:
Individuals starting or acquiring a Canadian business where they hold at least 51% ownership (as mandated by the May 2025 regulatory changes).
Professionals with capital and a comprehensive business plan who want to pivot into entrepreneurship while demonstrating relevant experience that aligns with their proposed business venture.
Simply belonging to the above categories wonât make an individual eligible for the C11 work permit. They will also need to meet the C11 Work Permit requirements described below.
To apply for C11 Category Work Permit, an applicant must:
Applicants must show that they own at least 51% of the business they will run in Canada.
Applicants must create a comprehensive business plan that clearly demonstrates how the business will benefit Canada. The plan must include:
Important: Generic business plans without measurable impact are rarely approved. The strongest applications include hard proof such as contracts, letters of intent, and signed agreements.
Canadian immigration officers will also examine whether the applicantâs business presents a âsignificant benefitâ to Canada.
Canadian immigration officers are also more likely to approve a C11 work permit application if they see that the applicant has performed some groundwork beforehand. This includes:
The vast majority of Canadian business immigration programs require the applicantâs business to present a âsignificant benefitâ to Canada, and the C11 work permit application is no different.
This benefit is assessed in the following ways.
Economic Benefit to the Canadian Economy: A business can benefit the Canadian economy in different ways. This includes:
Innovation and Industry Advancement
Cultural or Social Value
This requirement is essential because it helps Canadian immigration officers filter out applicants with business propositions that will benefit Canada.
For example, Canadian immigration officers arenât likely to approve an applicant who has proposed setting up a small family business such as a dry cleaning service. This is because the businessâs âfamily operatedâ aspect indicates the business owner likely wonât hire additional Canadian staff to run it.
For this reason, all applicants should ensure their proposed business idea meets the âsignificant benefitâ criteria described above.
Applying for a C11 work permit is a multi-step process. The main steps are summarized below:
The first step is deciding whether to set up or purchase a new business in Canada. This is an important decision as each carries distinct benefits and drawbacks that will impact your chance of succeeding.
If you need guidance in this area, please get in touch with Elaar Immigration. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants have many decades of business experience and can assist you with making the right choice.
Your business plan will be crucial for convincing Canadian visa officers to issue you a C11 work permit. For this reason, you should spend ample time performing research. This includes market research that shows a vital need for businesses like the one you intend to operate in Canada.
It is essential to start executing the business plan you have created before submitting your C11 work permit application. This is because it will demonstrate your commitment to starting and operating your business in Canada.
This execution plan will vary from person to person. However, it will generally include tasks such as:
After completing all the steps mentioned above, you can finally start filling out your C11 work permit application. This application isnât difficult to complete. However, you will need to provide many supporting documents to back the claims you have made and demonstrate your efforts to start or purchase your business in Canada.
This includes documents related to:
Once you have completed your application and gathered all the relevant documents, you can submit them to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They will then contact you to submit your biometrics, such as fingerprints and medical examination results.
The C11 work permit processing time is between one and three months. IRCC will review your application and inform you once they reach a decision. If they approve your application, you should start planning your journey to Canada immediately.
Once you arrive at the Canadian border, a Canadian Border Services Agent will verify your identity and issue you your C11 work permit. This document will allow you to operate your business in Canada.
Please note that this special two-year work permit does not allow you to work for other employers in Canada. It was designed for you to use in your business operations.
Once in Canada, you must operate your business exactly as outlined in your business plan. IRCC may verify your commitments, so it’s crucial to follow through on all promises made in your application.
As mentioned above, the C11 Work Permit is temporary. It does not directly lead to permanent residence. Though, if you run your Canadian business well, you might have a better chance of getting permanent residence. You can do this through other programs like:
Express Entry system (including Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades programs)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): many provinces have entrepreneur streams
Other immigration pathways where your established Canadian business track record can be an asset
The C11 work permit offers many benefits over other work permits and Canadian immigration routes. This includes:
Start a Business in Canada and obtain Canada PR through C11 Work Visa.
The C11 work permit may be issued for both seasonal and non-seasonal businesses.
As you can see, there are many considerations when applying for a C11 Entrepreneur work permit. Please get in touch with our experts if you need help with your business plan and work permit application.
Our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants is familiar with the application process for the C11 work permit. They also possess extensive business experience and can guide you in creating a robust business plan that boosts your applicationâs chances of being approved. Contact Elaar Immigration today and start your business immigration journey to Canada.
Move to Canada as an Entrepreneur by setting up a business through the C11 Work Permit Visa.
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