Start-Up Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
Applicable to: Specialized knowledge workers, senior executives, and managers. This category is limited to individuals seeking to transfer from a foreign entity to an affiliate, parent, or subsidiary of a foreign-based company in Canada. There are certain requirements to be met for the ICT category. Generally, the employee must:
Start-Up Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit
- Be currently employed by a multi-national company outside India.
Have been employed continuously by that company in a full-time position for at least one year in the three-year immediately preceding the date of their initial application.
Be seeking entry to abroad to work in a similar full-time position in a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate of that enterprise in abroad.
Be undertaking employment at a legitimate and continuing establishment of that company in abroad.
The ICT Start-Up work permit will be valid for an initial period of one (1) year for each of the ICT workers and renewable up to 5-7 years after that. After initial 1 year, depending upon Canadian Company Structure and Performance, one can also apply for PR.
Federal Start-Up Visa Program (SUV)
This program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
Federal Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program
- are innovative
- can create jobs
- can compete on a global scale
In order to qualify, you need to:
have a Letter of Support from a designated angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator
- meet the ownership requirements for a qualifying business
- get scores of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all four categories for English
- demonstrate you have enough settlement funds to bring. See this link for funds required
Each proposed start-up group can have up to 5 partners who apply for immigration, and each partner should hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation. The current processing time for start-up applications take up to 12-16 months for a decision. Applicants may also be considered for a short-term work permit (usually 1-year) in order to facilitate their entry to Canada if the designated entity supports the request for a work permit.
Start-up Visa Program
The Start-Up Business Class was established for immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
- were innovative,
- could create jobs for Canadians, and
- could compete on a global scale.
The program offers a direct pathway to Permanent Residence for qualifying entrepreneurs who will receive funding, guidance, and expertise in opening and operating their enterprise in Canada. If their Canadian start-up is unsuccessful, individuals granted permanent residence through this program will retain their permanent resident status.
Applicants are not required to invest any of their own money and rely on funds from designated organizations.
Designated organizations
Designated organisations are business groups that are approved by the government to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program. The designated organisations take the form of venture capital funds, angel investor groups and business incubators.
To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, the applicant’s business idea or venture must get the support of one or more of the designated organizations.
Venture capital funds – Applicants must get a designated venture capital fund to agree to invest a minimum of $200,000
OR
Angel investor groups – Applicants must get a designated angel investor group to agree to invest a minimum of $75,000
OR
Business incubators – Applicants must get accepted into a designated incubator’s program
Designated organizations choose which business proposals to review. Each designated organization has its own intake process for proposals and criteria used to assess them. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
If an organization decides to review a business idea, it’ll assess the potential of the proposal and whether or not it’ll succeed.
If an organization chooses to support the business idea, it’ll give applicants a Letter of Support.
Owner Operator LMIA and Federal
Skilled Worker Application
This application requires you to buy a new or an existing business or invest in an existing business (must hold 51% shares to qualify). In this option, you will come to Canada on a work permit first and then apply for permanent residence status. With this option one will apply for permanent residence status directly while in Canada. The owner must show that they are either a sole proprietor or that they hold at least 51% of the shares of the company. To meet this requirement, the owner must submit the articles of incorporation for the company as well as the share certificates and/or shareholder list for the company. In addition, the owner must not have anyone working in a position directly above him/her (ie. The owner does not answer to anyone within the company) and there must be no way for the owner to be dismissed.
Employment with the Federal
Skilled Worker Application
An existing Canadian company extend a future job offer. This job offer has to be approved by Service Canada (labour department).
The company has to apply for an LMIA (labour market impact assessment) and obtain a position opinion before one can start the Permanent residence application process. With this option one can apply for permanent residence status directly from India.
