Frequently Asked Questions
About Starting a Business in Canada

Yes. Under Canada’s federal and provincial corporate laws, a non-resident or foreign entrepreneur may register a company in Canada — either from scratch, through a branch office, or by creating a subsidiary of an existing foreign company.

Your first decision is whether you want to operate the business while living in Canada, or from abroad. Most options for foreign business owners also include pathways for temporary or permanent residency, including:

• Start-Up Visa Program (permanent residency for innovative startups)
• Entrepreneur Work Permit (C11)
• Owner-Operator LMIA (for those purchasing an existing business)
• Intra-Company Transfer (for expanding established foreign businesses)
• Provincial Nominee Programs — BC, Ontario, Alberta, Atlantic provinces

Yes — you can legally purchase or own a business in Canada while on a visitor visa. However, you cannot actively work in or manage the business without a valid Canadian work permit.

While visiting, you can conduct research, attend meetings, and negotiate a purchase — but day-to-day management requires a work permit. Laws around what constitutes “work” vary by province and business type. Our team can assess your specific situation.

The Owner-Operator program is one of the primary pathways. It allows foreign investors who buy or establish a Canadian business to obtain a work permit and relocate to Canada to manage operations. To qualify, you must:

• Own or purchase a genuine Canadian business
• Demonstrate the business will create employment for Canadians
• Show your active management is required on-site in Canada
• Meet financial viability requirements

After one year of active management, multiple permanent residency pathways open. Note: the Owner-Operator LMIA program has undergone significant revisions — professional guidance is strongly recommended before proceeding.

Generally yes — if you hold a Canadian work permit as an Owner-Operator, you are expected to actively manage your business in Canada and be physically present. However, this does not mean you cannot travel, particularly if your business naturally involves international activity.

What matters is that your primary place of business activity is Canada and that your presence is genuine and demonstrable. Solaris can advise on how to structure your operations to meet these requirements appropriately.

Contact our team directly via the Contact page or WhatsApp and tell us what you are looking for — industry, province, budget, and your immigration situation. We maintain a database of private listings not publicly advertised.

If you are a Canadian business owner interested in selling, submit your listing through our Business Owner Information Form.

The Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program offers permanent residency to founders of innovative, scalable businesses that receive support from a designated Canadian organization — an incubator, angel investor group, or venture capital fund. Key advantages include:

• Permanent residency (not just a work permit) as the primary outcome
• Up to five co-founders can qualify under one application
• No minimum investment requirement (unlike many investor programs)
• Access to Canada’s world-class innovation ecosystem

The SUV has high requirements — securing a letter of support from a designated organization is the most challenging step. Solaris specializes in preparing the business plans and pitch decks that give your application the best possible chance.

The C11 allows foreign entrepreneurs who own at least 50% of a Canadian corporation to come to Canada to establish and manage their business. Candidates must demonstrate:

• Ownership of at least 50% of a Canadian-registered business
• The business will provide significant economic benefit to Canada
• The business will create jobs for Canadians
• Sufficient capital and business experience

After managing the business for at least one year, entrepreneurs may apply for permanent residency through Express Entry, PNP streams, and other programs.

The ICT work permit allows established foreign business owners or senior employees to transfer to a Canadian affiliate, subsidiary, or branch of their company. It is part of Canada’s International Mobility Program and does not require an LMIA.

Eligible roles include executives, senior managers, and workers with specialized proprietary knowledge. After one year of employment in Canada, multiple permanent residency pathways become accessible. Solaris prepares the business plan demonstrating the genuine Canadian business expansion.

Every Canadian province has its own immigration programs, many of which include dedicated streams for entrepreneurs and investors. PNP programs typically require:

• Minimum net worth thresholds (varies by province)
• Commitment to investing in a business within the province
• Job creation for Canadians
• Active management of the business

Popular streams include BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration, Ontario OINP Entrepreneur Stream, Alberta AAIP, and Atlantic province programs. Solaris helps identify which PNP best matches your profile and capital.

Canada issues two types of work permits: restricted (tied to a specific employer) and open (work with any employer). The standard steps to obtain a restricted work permit include:

• LMIA Assessment: Your employer applies to Service Canada, demonstrating no suitable Canadian was available for the role
• Work Permit Application: Once an LMIA is approved, you apply to IRCC for the work permit itself
• Entry into Canada: Upon approval, you receive a work permit at the port of entry or from a Canadian visa office

For business owners, the process differs — Owner-Operator LMIA, C11, and ICT each follow their own distinct process. The maximum duration for most restricted work permits is four years total.

Service Canada announced a significant revision to the Owner-Operator LMIA program, making requirements more rigorous. Key changes include stricter documentation requirements and enhanced scrutiny of the genuine nature of the business and the owner’s active management role.

We strongly recommend consulting with our team before pursuing this pathway to ensure your application is correctly structured under current rules. Contact us for an up-to-date assessment.

Solaris provides end-to-end support for entrepreneurs and investors entering the Canadian market. Our core services include:

• Immigration pathway assessment and program selection
• Professional business plan writing (IRCC-compliant, investor-grade)
• Pitch deck development for designated SUV organizations
• Business incorporation (federal and provincial)
• Market research and competitive analysis
• Financial modeling and funding strategy
• Business acquisition support and due diligence guidance
• Career path planning for newcomers to Canada’s workforce

Your first consultation with Solaris is free. During that session, we learn about your background, business experience, capital, and goals — and you leave with a clear picture of your best Canadian pathway.

If you decide to proceed, we prepare a detailed proposal outlining the exact services, timeline, and fees for your situation. All engagements include a clearly written contract — nothing is left ambiguous. Book via WhatsApp or our Contact page.

Solaris is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia — 701 W Georgia Street, Suite 1545, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6.

The large majority of our clients are international. We work with entrepreneurs and investors from over a dozen countries. All consultations can be conducted remotely via video call, phone, or WhatsApp. Physical meetings at our Vancouver office are available for clients already in Canada.