If you are a businessman and want to open a business in Canada, you can achieve this through the Owner/Operator LMIA based-work permit process.

There is a way to get a Canadian Work permit if you are an owner of your own business.  If the business owner applies for the advertising-exempt Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if approved, it gives you a ground for a work permit.

Canadian employers who would like to employ a temporary foreign worker have to go through the LMIA process.

Note: an employer must advertise first in the Canadian market before employing a foreign worker over.

The owner/operator is exempt from the advertisement; it is not like most LMIA process. In this classification, the business owner is going to establish or purchase a business in Canada.

The process is to pursue business owners from Canada’s business to improve the Canadian economy.

See if you are qualified. The criteria below:

1. You must demonstrate that you have control interest in the business and that you are sole or hold the majority of the shares in the organization, at least own 50% of the company’s interest control.
2. You need to demonstrate that your business will create more jobs in Canada. You must show that entry of your business in the Canadian market will make or retention of jobs for Canadians citizens or Permanent resident holders;
3. You have held the highest position in the company. You must have the power to decide on the business and must not be answerable to any superiors.

The most important aspect of this process is developing a business plan and showing in detail how you will fund the business and how you will create/maintain employment. You must be an active member of the company and demonstrate that you are planning to run the business in the long-term and succeed in the Canadian market.  

Once you have received a position Owner/Operator LIMA, you will obtain a work permit. The work permit is valid for two years (correct this part; I’m not sure).

You have a better chance of immigrating to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program with an LMIA-based Owner/Operator work permit.

To find out more, please contact us.