C11 Work Permit
C11 Work Permit
The C11 Work Permit is a pathway to Canada for business owners and entrepreneurs who wish to enter Canada to establish business. Normally, in order to work in Canada a foreign national needs to obtain an LMIA. However, C11 is an exemption from the requirement to obtain an LMIA provided to entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business. The key to obtaining this work permit is the applicant must demonstrate 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. This means the business normally must involve some unique ideas or knowledge that will result in significant economic benefit to Canada.
A work permit can be issued for up to two years. If it is a first-time application, a work permit is likely to be issued for a duration of one year. Provided the business owner can prove the business has been established the work permit can be extended. Each extension is usually two years and there is no limit on the number of times the work permit can be extended. There are pathways to permanent residency after working for one year including the Express Entry Program and PNP programs.
Requirements for the C11 Work Permit
1. Have provable skills, background, and experience to either setup a successful business in Canada or takeover an existing business and manage it successfully.
2. Own at least 50 percent or higher stake in the business.
3. Prove that the owners admission into Canada will result in significant economic, social or cultural benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Significant benefits can include:
i) Job creation
ii) Development in a regional or remote setting
iii) Expansion of export markets for Canadian products or services
iv) Enhancement of a particular facet of an industry in Canada ( technology, product or service innovation)
v) Enhancement of skills of Canada workers
In assessing significant benefits the following factors may be considered by visa officers:
Is the work likely to create a viable business that will benefit Canadian or permanent resident workers or provide economic stimulus?
Does the applicant have a particular background or skills that will improve the viability of the business?
Is there a business plan that clearly shows that the applicant has taken steps to initiate their business?
Has the applicant taken some measure 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.)
C11 work permit process.
1. Setup a business in Canada in which you own at least 50 percent
2. Issue yourself a job offer to work for the business as its employee.
3. Apply for the work permit on basis of this job offer
4. Enter and work in Canada after your work permit is approved.
Advantages of the C11 Work Permit
The processing time is short (usually 3-6 months to obtain a work permit)
There is no minimum net worth requirement
There is no minimum investment amount required
The spouse of the owner/operator receives an open work permit and the dependent children receive a student permit or temporary resident visa depending upon their age
The business can be established anywhere in Canada
Work permit can be extended an indefinite number of times provided the business is still in operation
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Express Entry: After working for 12 months the owner may qualify for the Express Entry program under the FSW or CEC category.
PNP: After a work permit is granted and the owner has resided in Canada for at least a one year period, they may be in a position to apply for a permanent resident visa through a Provincial Nominee Program.
Spouse: The spouse can apply as the principal applicant after obtaining work experience and an employer sponsor in Canada.
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