C11 work permit is designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals wishing to conduct business in Canada. The program has recently been updated in May of 2025 and this guide has the most up-to-date information.
| Canada C11 Work Permit Overview | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirements |
- You own at least 51% of a Canadian business - Your business must create a clear economic, cultural, or social benefit to Canada - Your business must be ready (or nearly ready) to start operations - You have funds to support yourself and family in Canada - You have relevant experience in the business sector you’re entering - You have exit strategy and ability to leave Canada |
| Investment Amount | No fixed minimum investment amount, but you must have enough capital to start and sustain the proposed business. Minimum amount recommended by us: CAD $200,000. |
| Duration | Min. 18 month. Extensions are possible. |
| Family | Your family can join you in Canada. Your spouse may be eligible to get an Open Work Permit and children can attend secondary schools for free. |
| Permanent Residency | No direct pathway to PR. Transition to PR is possible through the SUV or PNP programs. |
The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit is intended for foreign nationals who want to actively manage and grow a business in Canada—and can show that their presence will bring a clear, measurable benefit to the country. This permit is best suited for:
To qualify, applicants must own at least 51% of the business, be ready to operate it on day one, and provide solid evidence of both personal financial stability and business viability. If you’re planning a passive investment or cannot demonstrate regional or economic impact, this pathway is likely not the right fit.
From our experience, this program is perfect for those who:
If you are considering the C11 work permit, you will need to convince the immigration officer that:
To qualify for a C11 Work Permit, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to both operate their business and support themselves in Canada. These funds must be liquid or easily accessible, and clearly documented.
Applicants are typically investing between $200,000 to $300,000 initially into their Canadian business. However, this should not represent their total available capital. IRCC officers expect applicants to maintain access to additional reserves beyond the initial investment. Putting 100% of your money into the business can raise red flags about your financial judgment and ability to sustain operations.
To strengthen your case:
You must also show separate personal funds to cover at least 18 months of living expenses, based on Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). See the table below:
| Number of Family Members | Recommended Funds (LICO for 18 months) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $44,070 |
| 2 | $54,864 |
| 3 | $67,449 |
| 4 | $81,891 |
| 5 | $92,070 |
| 6 | $104,751 |
| 7 | $116,625 |
| 8 | $128,499 |
| 9 | $140,373 |
| 10 | $152,247 |
These funds must:
Well-organized, transparent financial evidence is one of the most critical parts of a successful C11 application. It shows that you’re not just investing—but doing so wisely and sustainably.
Identify a viable business opportunity in Canada. This could be a new startup or the purchase of an existing business. Conduct market research to understand your competition, customer base, and regional needs. Then, develop a strong, realistic business plan that clearly explains how your business will benefit Canada—economically, socially, or culturally.
Register your company in the province where you plan to operate. Set up all legal structures, such as incorporating the business, securing a business number, opening a business bank account, and obtaining necessary licenses and permits. You must hold at least 51% ownership of the business to qualify under C11.
Begin taking visible, real-world steps to launch your business:
Collect documents that show you are ready to operate the business and that your presence in Canada is essential. This may include:
Want a detailed document checklist? Download Here: [C11 Document Checklist]
While not mandatory, submitting an upfront medical exam and police clearance certificate with your application may improve your chances of faster processing under Canada’s Global Skills Strategy (GSS). In our experience, GSS cases are often processed in under 2 months.
Submit your completed application to IRCC through the appropriate channel (online or local visa office). Once submitted, processing times typically range from 2–4 months, but can take longer in some countries. IRCC may contact you for additional information before making a final decision.
Based on our experience:
Most C11 applications are finalized within 2 to 4 months. In some cases—particularly for applicants applying from the UAE and China—processing times can exceed 6 months, largely due to higher volumes and internal processing delays in those regions. While no exact timeline can be guaranteed, submitting a well-prepared and complete application helps minimize delays and gives you the best chance at a timely decision.
To potentially speed up processing, applicants can request consideration under the Global Skills Strategy, which offers expedited processing for eligible work permits.
While GSS is not guaranteed, it can be effective when certain steps are taken:
In our practice, C11 applications processed under GSS are often finalized within 2 months.
Under the updated 2025 C11 program rules, “significant benefit” means that your business activity must clearly enhance the economic, social, or cultural interests of Canada. The benefit must go beyond personal profit and must be evident, measurable, and regionally relevant.
IRCC no longer accepts vague promises or generic business plans. Officers now assess benefit using specific, well-defined criteria, and expect applicants to submit verifiable documentation showing that the business is either already active or ready to launch.
IRCC evaluates your application based on these key areas:
Example: A generic retail store in downtown Toronto may not qualify—but the same business in a remote or underdeveloped area, especially if it fills a gap in services or provides cultural value, is more likely to be considered beneficial.
Note: A business plan alone is not enough. IRCC looks for action already taken that shows you are committed and prepared to start operations immediately.
Key Point: Your business must create a clear, positive impact in the area where it operates—and your application must prove this through documentation, not just intention.
When you apply for the Entrepreneur Work Permit, C11, your family members can also immigrate to Canada with you. For instance, your spouse could be eligible for an open work permit, while your children could receive study permits. As a result, you can enjoy developing your business in Canada while your family cheers for you!
If your spouse is issued an open work permit, they could work for your business. Remember that your spouse will not be counted towards your company’s creation of job opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The C11 work permit is not a permanent residency (PR) program. It is a temporary work permit designed to allow entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals to enter Canada and operate a business. In fact, the Canadian government requires applicants to explain their exit strategy—how they plan to run the business in Canada even after their eventual departure or transition—demonstrating that the business is viable and sustainable beyond the temporary period of the work permit.
If your primary goal is to obtain PR, it’s important to know that the C11 program is not intended as a direct pathway. For those with a clear intention to settle in Canada permanently, it may be better to consider immigration programs that are designed for permanent residency from the start, such as:
These programs evaluate your business plans through a permanent immigration lens and are designed to lead directly to PR status.
That said, the C11 work permit can be a strategic entry point to Canada. It allows you to:
We’ve worked with many entrepreneurs who came to Canada under C11, built a track record of success, and later transitioned to permanent residency using other programs.
Below are some questions that frequently arise when considering C11 applications.
Both options—buying an existing business or starting a new one—can make you eligible under the C11 work permit, as long as your business demonstrates significant benefit to Canada. However, in practice, buying a business is often more complex and risky for foreign entrepreneurs.
Many business owners in Canada are reluctant to sell to foreign buyers without a valid work permit in place. The process can be time-consuming, involve legal and financial complications, and, if the work permit is refused, may result in significant financial loss.
While we have successfully handled both scenarios, most foreign entrepreneurs choose to start their own business first, with an acquisition strategy built into their business plan. This allows them to enter Canada, begin operations, and explore acquisition opportunities from within—once trust and credibility are established.
In short, starting a business with a growth-by-acquisition strategy is often the more practical and lower-risk approach under the C11 pathway.
Most successful applicants invest between $200,000 and $300,000, initially. However, IRCC expects that you have access to additional funds and are not investing all your savings. Funds must be liquid or easily liquidated, and you must also show personal settlement funds based on LICO table for 18 months. For a single applicant, the recommended personal funds for 18 months is $44,070. For a family of 4, the required amount rises to $81,891, and for a family of 6, it is $104,751—all exclusive of business investment amounts.
Key documents include:
You may consider filing a reconsideration request or reapplying with a stronger case. Common reasons for refusal include weak business plans, insufficient funds, or failure to prove significant benefit. We recommend seeking legal advice before reapplying.
You are not required to live in Canada full-time, which offers flexibility for international entrepreneurs. However, you must be actively involved in the operation and execution of your business plan. Immigration officers will assess whether you are genuinely engaged in managing your business—so limited physical presence is acceptable only if your involvement remains consistent, meaningful, and well-documented.
Yes, you can apply to extend your C11 work permit, but extensions are not automatic. To be approved, you must demonstrate that:
IRCC will reassess whether your continued presence in Canada remains justified under the same exemption. It’s important to prepare strong supporting documentation, such as updated business plans, financial records, tax filings, and progress summaries.
Yes. Approximately 25% of companies are selected for compliance reviews by IRCC. During this process, IRCC may assess whether your employment in Canada is genuine and compliant with immigration and other applicable laws. They may review documents related to your wages, hours worked, duties performed, and whether the business is active and operational.
To avoid complications, it’s essential to structure your terms of employment strategically at the application stage and maintain clear records throughout your stay, including payroll, corporate filings, contracts, and evidence of business activity.
The C11 program continues to evolve, with policy updates introduced almost every year. Over the past three years, we maintained an approval rate of over 80%. However, starting in January 2025, we’ve observed a rise in refusals due to Canada’s new focus on “sustainable immigration” and efforts to reduce the number of foreign workers. As a result, our current approval rates have adjusted to 65–70% as of June 2025, reflecting the more selective and competitive landscape.
What are good businesses to start for a C11 work permit in 2025-2027?
In 2025-2027, IRCC is prioritizing businesses that align with Canada’s economic and regional development goals. Strong C11 applications typically fall into one or more of the following categories:
Generally, no—children over 18 are typically considered international students and must pay international tuition fees. However, some post-secondary institutions in Canada offer exceptions or special scholarships for dependents of foreign workers, including those on C11 work permits. These policies vary by institution.
We recommend contacting the admissions or international student office of the specific college or university to ask whether any exemptions, in-province rates, or financial aid options are available for your child as a dependent of a work permit holder.
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