What is Canada Owner Operator Progam?

Learn Additional Information about Owner Operator Program Here.

The Canada Owner Operator Program is a foreign national to come to Canada as Temporary worker operating their business. There are no net-worth requirements. However you will need to have a controlling interest in your business, have a viable business plan, and show that your business will Canadians/Permanent Residence (eg, creation or retention, hiring Canadian/Permanent Residence.

Process Time: Approximately 5-8 months.

Investors motivated to live in a particular area of Canada, can purchase a suitable business and relocate to that area before the permanent residence is granted.

Foreign investor entrepreneurs wishing to relocate to Canada, should consider acquiring an established business, and apply for a work visa as a management employee. After a period of less than 1 year, successful temporary work visa holders can transition to permanent residence under a provincial program or as a federal skilled worker under Express Entry.

To qualify as an owner-operator the foreign employee-investor should be able to establish a level of controlling interest in the business (e.g. a majority or plurality of shares, is not able to be fired) and be actively involved in its operation. Foreigners who do not meet this definition would not qualify for the program exemptions under owner-operator.

Are you Qualified?

• Own at least 50.01% of the business and hold a position where they cannot be terminated;
• Will have a wage that is equal or greater than the median wage for the position;
• Will operate a business that will result in the creation or retention of employment opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents, or that it will provide the transfer of skills or knowledge to Canadians or permanent residents;
• Have a viable business plan and have taken measures to put their business plan in place – such as financing, leasing office space, and obtaining a business number with Canada Revenue Agency
• Have a skill set or experience that will improve the feasibility of the business; and
• Will hire at least one Canadian or permanent resident in the first year of operating or opening the business in Canada.
• Have verifiable, transferable management experience.
• Sufficient assets to purchase the targeted business in Canada.
• Sufficient language abilities in either English or French to actively work as a manager in the business.

How to Apply?

Owner-Operator work permit based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Path:

1. The foreign investor purchase a active Canadian business.
2. Submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) along with a suitable business plan.
3. Once a positive LMIA opinion is issued, the foreign investor applies for a 12-24 months, renewable temporary work permit at the management level.

During the first year of working in Canada, the foreign investor along with immediate family members can apply for permanent residence if they qualify under a suitable program. (eg, federal Express Entry, provincial nomination program.)