Business Immigration to Canada from Nigeria: Success Story

Are you an entrepreneur looking to immigrate to Canada and start your own business? How do we make it happen? Learn how Michael (not his real name), an entrepreneur from Nigeria, successfully immigrated to Canada and started his auto recycling business.

Background Information

Michael had a clear goal: to establish an auto recycling business in Canada that would dismantle used vehicles and export parts to Nigeria. Here’s a quick overview of his background:

Citizenship: Nigerian.
Industry: Auto recycling and parts export.
Proposed Investment Amount: Over CAD $300,000.
Business Vision: To establish a successful auto recycling company in Ontario, specializing in sourcing, dismantling, and exporting quality vehicle parts, benefiting Canadian suppliers and buyers in Nigeria.
Language Proficiency: Fluent in English.
Past Experience: Over 12 years of experience running a similar business in Hong Kong, with a well-established network of distributors in Nigeria.
Education: Diploma in Business Administration and Mechanical Apprenticeship training.
Age: 50 years old.

Chosen Canadian Immigration Program: C11 LMIA-Exempt Work Permit

The C11 program is tailored for entrepreneurs who can demonstrate significant benefits to Canada. It enabled Michael to secure a work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Here’s how we assisted him through the process:

Steps Taken:

Company Registration: We helped Michael register his auto recycling business in Ontario.
Business Plan Development: We worked with Michael to create a comprehensive business plan detailing sourcing, dismantling, and export strategies, along with financial forecasts.
Proving Significant Benefits: We assisted Michael in collecting documentary evidence on significant benefits to Canadians, including showing how Michael’s business would diversify Canadian exports, support environmental sustainability, and create job opportunities.
Application Preparation: Submitted a strong application addressing all requirements, including Michael’s extensive background and plans to manage the business on a temporary basis in Canada.

Application Outcome: Work Permit Approved in 4 Months

Michael’s work permit was approved within four months, allowing him to proceed with his plans to establish an auto recycling business in Ontario and begin operations.

Issues and Challenges

Starting an auto recycling business in Canada presented several challenges:

Strict Regulations: The auto recycling business involves strict regulations concerning the sourcing of used vehicles and environmental safety. We helped Michael navigate these rules by conducting thorough research and developing operational standards that complied with Canada’s stringent regulations.
Dual Intent: Michael had a dual intent. While he was initially coming to Canada temporarily, he was open to staying permanently if the business proved successful. We assisted him in explaining this dual intent to Canadian immigration authorities, emphasizing his strong ties to Nigeria and exit strategy to maintain compliance.
Financial Requirements: Ensuring sufficient liquid funds was another hurdle. Michael needed to prove he had enough capital in Canadian accounts to support the business, which he achieved by transferring over CAD $115,000 to his company’s bank account in Canada.

What Made This Case Successful

Several factors contributed to the success of Michael’s application:

Good Research and Understanding of the Market: We thoroughly researched Canada’s auto recycling regulations to ensure Michael’s business model was compliant, thereby avoiding potential issues.
Previous Experience in Exporting from Canada: Michael’s prior experience in auto parts export was a significant advantage, as it demonstrated his ability to manage the complexities of international trade.
Sufficient Liquidity: The Canadian company’s bank account had over CAD $115,000 at the time of application, which showed that the business was financially prepared to start operations.
Client’s Resilience: Michael’s positive attitude and willingness to work closely with us to provide all the necessary evidence played a significant role in overcoming challenges and ensuring a smooth application process.

How You Can Benefit From Our Expertise

Entrepreneurs like Michael can benefit from working with immigration experts in several ways:

Navigating Complex Immigration Processes: Immigration laws and procedures can be intricate and confusing. Experts can guide entrepreneurs through the process, ensuring compliance and increasing the chances of success.
Strategic Guidance: Experts can provide tailored advice based on the entrepreneur’s specific circumstances, helping them choose the right immigration program and develop a strong business plan.
Overcoming Challenges: Immigration experts can help entrepreneurs anticipate and address potential challenges, such as regulatory compliance and financial requirements, and demonstrating significant benefits to Canada.
Saving Time and Effort: Experts can save entrepreneurs valuable time and effort by handling the paperwork and communicating with immigration authorities, allowing them to focus on their business.
Increasing Success Rates: With their knowledge and experience, immigration experts can significantly improve the chances of a successful application, giving entrepreneurs peace of mind and confidence in their immigration journey.

In Michael’s case, the immigration experts helped him navigate the complex C11 program, develop a comprehensive business plan, demonstrate significant benefits to Canada, and address challenges related to regulations and dual intent. Their expertise and support were crucial to the success of his application and his ability to launch his auto recycling business in Canada.

If you’re ready to start your business journey in Canada, contact us for a consultation to discuss how we can assist you in achieving your goals.