Blog Detail

Canada has many federal and provincial programs for skilled workers. There is also an Owner Operator Visa Canada for those who want to start their own business in Canada or want to buy a business in Canada. 

Many provinces have investor and entrepreneur programs. Other than these, there are also self-employed programs which mainly focus on athletes, professional players and cultural performers. 

The Owner-Operator Visa Canada or work permit is referred to the category of Entrepreneurs and self-employed. Foreign workers who are interested in owning and running a business in Canada can apply under this category. 

The Owner-Operator work permit is of two types:  

1. Owner-Operator work permit based on an LMIA
2. Owner-Operator work permit under the International Mobility Program

 

Owner-Operator work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): A foreign national or applicant must fulfil the following requirements in order to qualify for an Owner-Operator work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):

1. The foreign national or applicant must be in a position where they can not be terminated and have a minimum of 50% ownership of the business. 
2. The wages should be equivalent to, or more than the median wages decided for the said position by the provincial, territory or federal government. 
3. The business the applicant is planning to start and run should create full-time and permanent jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Or the business should provide valuable knowledge and skills in these positions to Canadians or permanent residents. 
4. The applicants should have a feasible business plan, and various measures should be taken by the applicant to put the business plan in an active state. These may include leasing a business/office space, financing your business and getting a business number from Canada Revenue Agency.  
5. The applicant must be experienced in the field of business as experience will increase business feasibility. And a minimum of one hired candidate in the first year should be Canadian 

Most LMIAs require advertisement for the positions so that suitable Canadians can fill the position. Job requirements are defined, and the candidate is selected accordingly. But in the case of Owner-Operator LMIA, advertisement or recruitment requirements are not required. 

There is also an additional benefit of the Owner Operated work permit based on LMIA that the foreign national or applicant can get additional points in their Express Entry profile. Additional 200 points can be added to the profile of the foreign national who has the Owner Operated work permit based on LMIA for the position of a senior manager by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) matrix. These additional points can help the applicants in getting selected from the Express Entry pool.

Owner-Operated Work Permit Under the International Mobility Program: A foreign national or applicant must fulfil the following requirements in order to qualify for an Owner-Operator work permit under the International Mobility Program:

1. Proof that 50% of the business must be owned by the applicant or foreign national to be eligible for an Owner-Operator work permit under the International Mobility Program. 
2. The business you will operate should generate significant benefits for the economic, cultural or social areas of Canada. Also, the business should be able to create employment opportunities or unique services for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
3. The business should be reasonable, which should benefit both Canadians and Canada’s economy. 
4. The applicant must have a skill which will help them in improving the feasibility of their business. 
5. The applicants should have a feasible business plan, and various measures should be taken by the applicant to put the business plan in an active state. These may include leasing a business/office space, financing your business and getting a business number from Canada Revenue Agency.  
6. Offer of Employer (Employer Compliance) application should be filed by the applicant to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Immigration Canada).

Other factors to consider: There are also many other factors which the applicant should also consider. Like in the case of owning less than 50% of the business, the applicant or foreign national is required to get an LMIA as an employee of the company. Also, if there is more than one owner for the business, then only one owner can get the Owner operated work permit.

The applicants can have a dual intent for coming to Canada. They can come on a temporary resident visa to operate their business and then apply for a permanent residency in Canada under Owner Operated work permit. 

If the applicant has this dual intent, then they are required to show the intention of leaving Canada after the end of their Temporary Work permit to the visa officer reviewing their application for a work permit under Owner operated work permit. 

 

 

Summary:

1. Owner Operated Visa Canada is for Entrepreneurs and Investors. 
2. Foreign nationals who want to start or buy a business can apply under this. 
3. It is of two types.
4. Owner-Operator work permit based on an LMIA
5. Owner-Operator work permit under the International Mobility Program
6. You need to prove the intention of coming back after the completion of the temporary visa if required.

Check out our Web Story at https://celpip.biz/web-stories/how-can-i-get-owner-operator-visa-for-canada/