Are you thinking about growing your business in Canada? The Canada Business Visa gives UK entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals a way into a strong economy. Given the good business environment and strong trade ties between the UK and Canada, now is a good time to consider Canadian projects.
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A Canada Business Visa allows people from other countries to enter Canada for short-term business activities, provided the activities do not involve working in Canada. This visa serves those seeking to investigate business prospects, make investments, or keep up business contacts in Canada. Those seeking employment with a Canadian company or intending to join the Canadian workforce should not apply for this visa.
The benefits of the Canada Business Visa are given below.
The various types of Canada Business visas are given below.
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This federal program is designed for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas that can create jobs and compete on a global scale. To qualify, applicants must secure support from a designated organization, meet language requirements, and show proof of settlement funds. Successful applicants can apply directly for permanent residence and may also receive an open work permit while their application is processed.
Each province and territory (except Quebec) runs its own business immigration streams under the Provincial Nominee Program. These streams typically require applicants to establish or invest in a business, operate it under a work permit, and then transition to permanent residence once program conditions are met. Requirements vary by province, but usually include minimum investment amounts, net worth thresholds, and relevant business experience.
This visa allows foreign nationals to visit Canada for short-term business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or trade shows. It does not allow holders to engage in direct employment in Canada or to sell goods and services to the general public. Stays are usually up to six months.
Entrepreneurs applying through the Start-Up Visa Program may be eligible for an open work permit valid for up to three years. This allows them to live in Canada and actively develop their business while their permanent residence application is being processed.
This permanent residence program is for individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who can make a significant contribution to Canada’s cultural or athletic life. Intake for this program is currently paused until January 2027.
Under the International Mobility Program, the C11 work permit allows entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals to temporarily establish or manage their own business in Canada if it will bring significant economic, social, or cultural benefits. Although temporary, it often serves as a stepping-stone to permanent residence through other immigration programs.
The eligibility criteria for UK applicants are given below.
| Pathway | Who it’s for | Key eligibility | Funds | Language |
| Business Visitor (TRV/eTA) | Short trips for meetings, negotiations, site visits, events | Activities tied to employment outside Canada; permitted without a work permit; must meet entry requirements by nationality | Show enough money for the trip and return | Not certain officer assesses overall purpose |
| Start-Up Visa (Permanent Residence) | Founders building an innovative business in Canada | Letter of support from a designated organization (VC/angel/incubator); qualifying business ownership (each applicant ≥10% and applicants+ designated org >50%); intend to live outside Quebec; active, ongoing management in Canada and essential operations in Canada | Settlement funds by family size | CLB 5 (English/French) |
| PNP — Entrepreneur/Investor (Permanent Residence) | Entrepreneurs establishing/operating a business in a province/territory | Provincial nomination first; province-set investment, net-worth, business plan, management/experience criteria; federal admissibility and final PR decision | Province-specific (plus federal PR fees) | Province may set minimums; federal rules apply |
| Work-Permit Routes (e.g., Intra-Company Transferee, certain free-trade categories) | Temporary hands-on work in Canada tied to a foreign employer or qualifying role | Meet the specific work-permit category criteria; many are LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program; employer compliance rules apply | Show ability to support stay (and meet any employer/program financial conditions) | Varies by category |
The documents required to apply for the Canada Business visa are given below.
To apply for the Canada Business Visa, you must follow the steps given below.
Step 1. Choose your pathway.
Business Visitor (TRV/eTA), Start-Up Visa (permanent residence), PNP entrepreneur (provincial nomination → PR), or a work-permit category for hands-on work.
Step 2. Gather documents.
Passport and proof of business purpose; plus program-specific proofs (e.g., Start-Up Visa letter of support, language results and settlement funds; PNP nomination and business plan; work-permit category evidence).
Step 3. Apply for the visa
Submit the correct online application (PNP applicants apply to the province first, then to federal PR) and pay the required fees.
Step 4. Complete checks.
Provide biometrics and an immigration medical exam if requested; upload any additional documents promptly.
Step 5. Decision & next steps.
For visitors, enter and comply with the authorized stay; for PR/work-permit approvals, follow landing or permit instructions exactly.
Detailed information about the application cost of Canada Business Visa is given below.
| Canada Business visa type | Principal applicant fee (CAD) |
| Start-Up Visa Program (Permanent Residence) | 2,385 |
| Provincial Nominee Programs – Entrepreneur/Investor (federal PR fees) | 1,525 |
| Business Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) | 100 (per person) |
| Open Work Permit for Start-Up Visa Applicants | 255 |
| Self-Employed Persons Program (Permanent Residence) | 2,385 |
| C11 Entrepreneur / Self-Employed Work Permit (IMP R205(a)) | 155 |
Detailed information about the Canada Business Visa Processing time is given below.
| Visa Type | Estimated Processing Time |
| Start-Up Visa Program | 12 to 16 months |
| Self-Employed Persons Program | 24 to 36 months |
| Owner-Operator LMIA Route | 4 to 6 months |
| C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit | 3 to 6 months |
| Business Visitor Visa (Temporary) | 2 to 8 weeks |
Yes, most Canada business visa programs let applicants include their immediate family. This implies:
Business visas offer different ways to get Canadian permanent residency:
Y-Axis offers advice on immigration and visas, with specific skills in helping business people from the UK with the Canadian Business Visa. We give specific advice to make sure your application goes smoothly and you can move to Canada without problems.
Our services include:
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Yes, UK residents can apply for Canada’s business visa programs. Individuals living in the UK are able to seek a Canada Business Visa if they meet the requirements of the selected program. Well-known choices are the Start-Up Visa, which aids creative business owners; the C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit, for people who create important help to the economy; and the Business Visitor Visa, for brief visits for purposes such as meetings or trade shows. Applications may be sent via the internet and through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from the UK. A number of these visas also permit relatives to travel with the applicant and may lead to permanent residency, making them suitable for entrepreneurs and investors from the UK.
Canada offers various business visa pathways including:
Detailed information about the required investment funds for Canada Business Visa are given below.
| Visa Type | Minimum Investment Requirement |
| Start-Up Visa Program | Funding is not fixed; it depends on backing from a specified Canadian group. |
| Self-Employed Persons Program | Sufficient funds to support self-employment must be shown; fixed capital investment is not needed. |
| Owner-Operator LMIA Route | The capital needed usually ranges from CAD 100,000 to 200,000, but this can change based on whether one is buying an existing business or starting a new one. |
| C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit | There is no fixed minimum investment amount. The applicant needs to show they have enough money to start a feasible business that will help Canada. |
| Business Visitor Visa (Temporary) | There are no required investment costs, but participants will need to cover their travel, lodging, and associated business expenditures. |
Yes, several Canada business visa options can lead to permanent residency (PR). The Start-Up Visa Program, for example, offers direct PR if a designated Canadian group supports your business. The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit can also transition to PR through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or Express Entry. To be eligible, you have to show business activity, economic contribution, and adherence to Canadian immigration rules.
The processing times of various Canada Business Visas are given below.
| Visa Type | Estimated Processing Time |
| Start-Up Visa Program | 12 to 16 months |
| Self-Employed Persons Program | 24 to 36 months |
| Owner-Operator LMIA Route | 4 to 6 months |
| C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit | 3 to 6 months |
| Business Visitor Visa (Temporary) | 2 to 8 weeks |
Yes, you can apply for a Canada Business Visa from the UK. Residents of the UK are eligible to apply for Canadian Business Visas online via the IRCC. The procedure involves filling out the form, paying the required fee, and providing biometric data at a UK Visa Application Centre. Make sure all documents meet IRCC's standards; any translations must be certified if the originals are not in English or French.
If your application is not approved, you will get a letter explaining the reason. Usually, this is because you did not include all the required documents, the funds were not sufficient, or did not have a strong plan for your business. Depending on your situation, you can argue the decision, apply again with better proof, or look at other kinds of visas. Talking to an immigration advisor could help you get approved next time.
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program does not set a fixed minimum investment amount for applicants themselves. Instead, entrepreneurs must secure a commitment from a designated organization—such as a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator—approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The required investment depends on the organization: venture capital funds must invest at least CAD 200,000, while angel investor groups must invest at least CAD 75,000. Business incubators, however, do not require financial investment but must accept the applicant into their program. The key focus is on innovation, scalability, and the potential to create Canadian jobs.
Yes, proof of settlement funds is required when applying for Canada’s Start-Up Visa or most business-related immigration programs. Even though investment or business commitments may be secured, applicants must demonstrate they have enough personal funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival. The required amount depends on family size and follows IRCC’s settlement fund guidelines, updated annually. For example, a single applicant must show over CAD 13,000, while larger families need proportionally more. These funds must be readily available, unencumbered, and cannot be borrowed. Proof of funds ensures that newcomers can establish themselves while building their business in Canada.
Yes, applicants under Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program or other business immigration pathways can include eligible family members in their application. This typically covers a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. Family members receive the same status as the principal applicant—permanent residency—upon approval. This allows them to live, study, and work in Canada while the business is being established. Supporting documents such as proof of relationship, passports, and health and character clearances are required. Bringing family members ensures the applicant can settle more easily and focus on successfully launching their business while maintaining family unity in Canada.
