Pakistani Entrepreneur's Success Story: Overcoming Visa Refusal to Launch Canadian Business with C11 Work Permit

Are you an entrepreneur looking to start a business in Canada or invest in a promising opportunity? How do you accomplish this and make your dream a reality? The story of ‘Ahmed’ (not his real name), a determined Pakistan-based business owner, will inspire you. Ahmed successfully started a new franchise in Ontario by leveraging Canada’s business immigration programs. Learn how he navigated the C11 work permit process, overcame initial rejection, and launched a thriving franchise in Ontario with an entrepreneur visa.

Ahmed’s Background: Pakistani Entrepreneur with a Vision

Ahmed had a clear goal: to invest in a franchise in Canada and bring his expertise in the home improvement industry to Ontario.

Citizenship: Pakistan
Industry: Home improvement and renovation
Initial Investment Amount: CAD $213,400
Business Vision: To establish a successful renovation franchise in Ontario, creating job opportunities for Canadians offering quality services in the home improvement sector.
Language Ability: Fluent in English
Education: Master of Business Administration from a reputable university

Immigration Program: C11 LMIA-Exempt Work Permit

The C11 work permit under the LMIA exemption is for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who can demonstrate significant benefits to Canada. This program allowed Ahmed to obtain a work permit to start his new business without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Here’s how we helped Ahmed through this process:

Chosen Program: C11 LMIA-Exempt Work Permit
Steps Taken:
- Company Registration: Guided Ahmed through registering his new company in Canada to acquire franchise rights in Mississauga, Ontario.
- Business Plan Preparation: Collaborated with Ahmed and the Franchisor to develop a detailed business plan outlining the franchise’s operations, market strategy, and financial projections.
- Proving Significant Benefits: Compiled evidence demonstrating how the business would positively impact the local economy through job creation, supporting the renovation industry, and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
- Application Preparation: Submitted a well-organized application that addressed prior feedback from immigration authorities and provided thorough documentation of Ahmed’s ownership and efforts to implement the business plan.

Application Outcome: C11 Work Permit Approved

It took IRCC nearly one year to approve Ahmed’s application, with some hurdles. Initially, his application was refused due to concerns over the lack of liquid funds, as most of his capital was tied up in assets, resulting in low liquidity. Additionally, the purchase and sale agreement with the franchisor had not been fully completed, raising doubts about the viability of the business.

To overcome these issues, we resubmitted the application with more substantial, more robust evidence. We provided detailed documentation demonstrating Ahmed’s access to sufficient capital, including liquid assets, and presented more robust evidence from the franchisor confirming the finalized purchase of the franchise. With these updates, we successfully addressed the concerns raised by IRCC, and Ahmed’s application was eventually approved, allowing him to move forward with his business plans in Ontario.

Issues and Challenges

Ahmed’s journey to starting a new business in Canada was challenging. But our client and team did not give up easily. Here are some of the key obstacles we faced and how we addressed them:

Previous Refusal: Ahmed’s initial application was refused due to his financial liquidity. Although he had significant assets, most were tied up in non-liquid forms, leading to doubts about his immediate access to funds. Additionally, the purchase agreement for the franchise had not yet been completed, which raised concerns about the business’s readiness to operate. We addressed these issues in his second application by submitting additional evidence.
Demonstrating Significant Benefits: Since Ahmed was launching a new franchise, we needed to establish the economic benefits his business would bring to the Canadian market. To strengthen his case, we provided market research and evidence of demand for home improvement services in Ontario.
Temporary Intent: To satisfy immigration requirements, we needed to prove that Ahmed intended to stay in Canada temporarily. We demonstrated this through evidence of his ongoing business interests abroad, a detailed transition plan, and strong ties to his home country.

What Made This Case Successful

The C11 program is inherently complex, requiring applicants to meet multiple criteria to demonstrate their eligibility. In Ahmed’s case, the factors that made this application successful were a combination of determination, collaboration, and thorough evidence. Here’s what made the difference:

Ahmed’s Resilience and Positive Attitude: Even after the initial refusal, Ahmed maintained a positive outlook and was committed to addressing the issues raised by IRCC. His resilience was vital in seeing the process through.
Willingness to Provide More Evidence: Ahmed worked closely with us to gather additional documents and evidence to strengthen his case, including proof of liquid assets and finalized franchise agreements. When the application was refused, we didn’t charge him any additional legal fees for the resubmission. At our firm, all clients benefit from a guarantee that includes one free attempt to challenge a rejection, ensuring they have the best chance of success.
Persistence and Re-Application: One key factor in this success story was the decision to re-apply rather than give up. At our firm, we don’t accept rejections easily. We understand that IRCC is a busy organization where humans and AI make decisions, and mistakes can happen. That’s why every client who works with us benefits from a second free attempt to push their case forward and get another officer to review the evidence carefully. This persistence was crucial in Ahmed’s case, ultimately leading to the approval of his work permit.
A Reasonable Officer at IRCC: Ultimately, we were lucky to get a fair and diligent IRCC officer who carefully reviewed the new evidence submitted and decided to approve Ahmed’s application, recognizing the merits of his case.

These combined efforts led to a successful outcome, allowing Ahmed to proceed with his plans and start his new business in Canada.

How We Can Help You

For C11 Work Permit application in Canadian business immigration, you must prove that:

You will operate a successful and viable business in Canada.
You have sufficient liquid funds to support the business.
You possess the necessary skills and education to carry out the planned work.
Your business will bring significant economic or social benefits to Canadians.
You have strong ties to your home country, which ensures you will return after your authorized stay.

If you, like Ahmed, want to start a new business in Canada, our experienced team can help guide you.

We specialize in supporting entrepreneurs in meeting Immigration Canada’s latest eligibility standards, preparing comprehensive applications, and addressing potential challenges. Contact us for a 1-hour consultation on Canadian business immigration with a senior lawyer of Sobirovs.