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Entrepreneurs · Business owners · Company expansion
Business immigration to Canada
A practical immigration plan for your business and family. Compare the route, evidence and risks before you invest or commit to a move.
A 15-minute conversation about your needs and next steps.
Practical advice. Direct support.
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Start with the business, then assess the immigration route
Buying or starting a Canadian business does not automatically give you a work permit or permanent residence. The right approach depends on your nationality, business history, proposed operation, role, funds and longer-term plans.
At Tudor House, we begin with a pre-assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all investment amount. You should understand the immigration criteria and the commercial risks before signing a purchase agreement or transferring money.
Business immigration options to assess
Provincial entrepreneur programs
For applicants whose business proposal and background fit a provincial stream. BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration includes Base and Regional routes.
Intra-company transfers
A possible work-permit route for qualifying transfers within related businesses. The enterprise, position and employee must meet the applicable requirements. Explore LMIA exemptions.
Trade-agreement investors
Some agreements provide temporary entry categories for qualifying business people. Nationality, investment and intended role matter. There is no single treaty-investor rule for every country.
Official guidance: CUSMA temporary entry for business persons.
Check current program availability first
Start-Up Visa and the federal Self-Employed Persons Program are paused. As checked on October 26, 2026, these should not be presented as open routes for a new application. IRCC’s limited Start-Up Visa deadline for eligible 2025 commitments was June 30, 2026.
If you already have an application or work permit under one of these programs, the next step is a review of your existing file and the relevant instructions. Do not assume that a pause cancels an existing application or extends temporary status.
Official guidance: IRCC Start-Up Visa status.
Official guidance: IRCC Self-Employed Persons Program status.
What we review before recommending a strategy
Your experience and resources
- Business ownership and management history
- Citizenship and current immigration status
- Available funds and evidence of their source
- Language, education and family circumstances
Your Canadian plan
- New venture, purchase or international expansion
- Ownership, management responsibilities and location
- Business proposal, staffing and operating budget
- Temporary entry needs and possible PR options
Work permits and permanent residence require separate planning. We will explain what an initial route can do, where it has limits, and which assumptions need further investigation.
Coordinated support, with a defined scope
We help organize the immigration strategy, supporting evidence and application steps. Depending on your needs, we can discuss company-transfer applications, provincial entrepreneur planning, work permits and the immigration position of accompanying family members.
Business incorporation, tax advice, transaction documents and investment due diligence require the right professional input. We can discuss referrals and coordination with corporate lawyers, accountants and other advisers, with responsibilities and fees clearly explained.
Our goal is to give you enough clarity to make an informed decision, including when a proposed route is not suitable.
Common questions
Is there a minimum investment for all business immigration?
No universal figure applies to every route. Provincial thresholds, eligible spending, business viability and temporary work-permit requirements differ.
Can I buy a business and hire myself through an LMIA?
Ownership alone does not establish eligibility. Any proposed LMIA or LMIA-exempt route needs a current assessment of the business, position and applicable rules. We do not treat “owner/operator” as a guaranteed shortcut.
Can an intra-company transfer lead to permanent residence?
It may form part of a longer-term plan, but a temporary transfer is not a promise of PR. We assess potential permanent residence options separately.
How do I start?
Bring a short résumé, description of your existing business, intended Canadian project and available budget to a discovery call. We will explain whether a detailed assessment is appropriate.
Your consultant
Clear advice from Chris.
I’m Chris Brown, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. I help you understand your options, identify the evidence you need and make informed decisions about your Canadian immigration plans.
We work online with clients across Canada and internationally. You can discuss your circumstances directly with me.
RCIC #R528923 · Verify my licence with the College
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Plan your move before committing your investment.
Discuss your business goals with Chris and understand the next assessment step, scope and professional fees.
We explain the proposed scope, professional fees and next steps before you decide to proceed.