Business Immigration
For owners, operators, and self-employed people who can show a real business — not a passive investment brochure.
Canada has federal and provincial routes for people who will run or build a business: provincial entrepreneur streams (now the main path for many after the federal Start-up Visa pause), the self-employed persons program for cultural and athletic work, intra-company transfers, and owner-operator work permits. Most current provincial models are work-permit first: you operate, then you are nominated. Net worth and investment numbers are stream-specific.
SUV (federal)
Suspended for new intake
As of 1 January 2026 on this site’s current note — confirm IRCC.
PNP model
Work permit first
Then nomination after you perform.
Investment
Varies by province
Often $100,000–$300,000 plus net-worth floors.
ICT
LMIA-exempt permit
Needs a real related company and role.
Who this is for
- You have owned or managed a business and can document it
- You can meet a provincial investment and net-worth floor
- You can transfer in a qualifying executive or specialized-knowledge role
- Your work is cultural or athletic and may fit the self-employed program
Who this is not for
- You want a skilled-worker Express Entry file with no business
- You expect a passive “visa for investment” with no operations
- You need only a business visitor trip — see Visitor Visa
What RSTM handles
- Program match (PNP entrepreneur, self-employed, ICT, owner-operator)
- Net-worth and source-of-funds review
- Business-plan and exploratory-visit support where a province requires it
- Work-permit and later PR filings
- Corporate immigration sequencing for groups
How this program works
- 1
Profile
We match your ownership history, capital, language, and family plans to a stream that is actually open.
- 2
Concept
We pressure-test the business against that province’s priorities — not a generic café plan for every region.
- 3
Temporary stage
Where the model is work-permit first, we prepare the provincial support letter and the federal permit.
- 4
Nomination and PR
After you meet the performance agreement, we prepare the nomination and the permanent residence stage.
Documents and requirements
- Documented business ownership or senior management experience
- Lawful source of funds and, for PNP streams, published net-worth and investment minimums
- Language at the level the stream requires
- A viable plan and, often, a community or designated-org relationship
Checklist
- Corporate registry, tax, and bank records for the existing business
- Personal net-worth statements and source-of-funds trail
- Business plan and, where required, exploratory-visit evidence
- Language results
- ICT: corporate relationship chart and job descriptions
Robert Makkar, RCIC · CICC licence R508785 · Toronto, Ontario
Advice specific to your circumstances is given in a paid consultation with a licensed RCIC — not by an automated score.
Verify licence with CICC“Robert and the RSTM team made our Express Entry journey so smooth. From the initial assessment to receiving our ITA, we always felt in good hands.”
“Exceptional service for my LMIA-based work permit. The team was responsive, thorough, and delivered on every promise.”
“RSTM helped me sponsor my husband. The process was complex but Robert guided us every step of the way.”
Frequently asked questions
This page is preliminary information only. It is not legal advice, not a confirmation of eligibility, and not a guarantee of an invitation, approval, or any particular outcome. Advice specific to your circumstances is provided in a paid consultation with a licensed RCIC.
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Start with a free preliminary assessment or book a paid consultation for personalized advice from a licensed RCIC.
Related programs
PNP Entrepreneurs
Business-owner and entrepreneur streams for those investing in a Canadian province.
Learn moreProvincial Nominee Programs
Provincial streams that nominate workers whose skills match local labour needs.
Learn moreWork Permits & LMIA
LMIA applications for employers and work permits for foreign workers.
Learn more