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How an Entrepreneur from India Overcame the Odds to Secure Her C11 Work Permit in Canada
Ashu (not her real name), an entrepreneur from India, came to us in a state of urgency. Her family had invested heavily in a promising opportunity—a burger franchise in Toronto. But just a few months into operations, it became painfully clear: the business was losing money, and without her on-site leadership, it was unlikely to survive.
Her odds of a work permit approval were not strong. She had no background in the food industry, her ties to her home country were limited (as her whole family sought to relocate), and the business was in a highly saturated fast food market.
Still, Ashu chose to fight rather than walk away. She asked us to help her take one last shot at turning things around—and we committed to giving it everything we had.
Our Role and Scope
Our firm was retained to provide comprehensive legal and strategic support in Canadian immigration. This included:
- Assessing whether Ashu’s case could meet the C11 work permit threshold
- Helping her develop a practical and compelling business turnaround strategy
- Preparing a robust, IRCC-aligned business plan to support the work permit application
- Identifying and gathering the strongest possible evidence to support her application
- Drafting a detailed submission to IRCC that would anticipate and address the case’s inherent challenges
We were upfront with Ashu: this would not be an easy win. However, we would present the best possible case with complete transparency and a carefully executed strategy.
Complexities and Challenges
Ashu’s case included nearly every red flag the IRCC warns about:
- Industry Saturation: Toronto’s fast food scene is extremely crowded, and the franchise lacks a prominent innovation component.
- Loss-Making Business: The business was actively losing money and already struggling.
- No Sector Experience: Ashu had never worked in the restaurant industry in Canada or abroad.
- Weak Home Ties: Her whole family intended to relocate, undermining her “temporary intent.”
- Partnership Dynamics: The business was shared with a Canadian partner, and precise control and benefits needed to be established.
Each of these could have led to a refusal on its own.
Our Approach To Avoid Work Permit Rejection
Despite these obstacles, our team carefully crafted a narrative of business credibility and regional benefit. Here’s how we addressed the key challenges:
- Competition & Market Saturation: We emphasized how the business would fill a gap in service quality, cultural relevance, and accessibility—particularly within a demographic underserved by mainstream providers.
- Financial Struggles: We provided a detailed recovery plan backed by capital infusion, operational improvements, and a clear value proposition. This showed the IRCC that the applicant was not entering a failing venture but investing in its revitalization.
- Lack of Experience: Through affidavits, academic records, and related personal ventures, we highlighted transferable entrepreneurial skills and a strong capacity for adaptation. We also emphasized her Canadian partner’s expertise, demonstrating operational support and mentorship.
- Weak Home Ties: We provided credible evidence of extended family, property, and financial obligations in India and included a detailed exit strategy showing how the business could operate without her direct, long-term involvement.
Our submission was comprehensive and transparent, acknowledging the case’s complexities while articulating why the application met—and even exceeded—the revised C11 work permit threshold for “significant benefit.”
Outcome
The application was submitted on 14 April 2025 and received a positive decision on 4 June 2025—just days after IRCC’s new C11 guidance came into effect. Despite the higher bar, IRCC found the case compelling and granted Ashu a 2-year work permit under the C11 exemption.
Why Was It Successful?
This case succeeded not because it was “perfect” but because it was honest, strategic, and supported by clear documentation. IRCC’s officers, even under the new regime, are still open to well-argued, transparent cases where the applicant demonstrates a genuine business need, operational readiness, and a benefit to Canada.
What made the difference?
- Honest Framing: We didn’t hide the weaknesses. We addressed each one directly, with clear documentation and logical arguments.
- Evidence-Based: From financials to operational readiness, every claim was backed by concrete proof.
- Strategic Storytelling: We crafted a narrative emphasizing real economic benefit, community impact, and a clear roadmap to sustainability.
- Policy Alignment: We carefully mapped the application against IRCC’s updated C11 expectations, including ownership, job creation, regional value, and temporary intent.
Ready to Build Your Future in Canada?
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to navigate the evolving C11 landscape, don’t leave your future to chance. IRCC is no longer approving hopeful ideas—it’s rewarding strategic execution.
Let our team help you craft a winning application grounded in reality, impact, and intent.
Contact us today to explore whether the C11 pathway is right for you.
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