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How to Apply for the C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit

By Ella Bergquist October 8, 2021 (Updated October 14, 2021) 1 min. read
C11 Work Visa Canada

Obtaining a work permit is frequently the first step in getting permanent residence in Canada. If you’re an entrepreneur or self-employed person wanting to work in Canada and eventually become a permanent resident, the C11 entrepreneur work visa is an option to explore. In this post, we will go over all you need to know about the Canadian C11 work visa.

The International Mobility Program (IMP) in Canada has paved the way for Canadian companies to hire temporary employees from all over the world without having to worry about the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Another LMIA exemption, known as “C11,” is available through the same IMP scheme. Entrepreneurs and self-employed persons can use exemption code C11 to apply for a work permit that does not need LMIA.

The C11 work permit is primarily for two categories of enterprises. The first category consists of entrepreneurs who wish to enter Canada on a temporary basis in order to pursue their business goals and careers. The second category applies for the C11 work visa as part of the permanent residency program for entrepreneurs or self-employed people.

With your C11 entrepreneur work visa, whether you want a short stay or permanent residency, you must show the immigration officer that:

  1. You are the owner of a business or a self-employed person with a strong business strategy and resources.

2. The business/venture/self-employed gig you operate has the potential to provide significant economic, social, and cultural benefits to Canadians.

Types of Businesses Eligible for the C11

Applying for Permanent Residence after C11 Work Permit

By default, the IMP C11 work visa does not lead to permanent residency. In actuality, dual-purpose for permanent residency is restricted to the following immigration possibilities at the moment:

Despite the limits on dual-purpose, an applicant who moves to Canada via this program and works for at least one year can apply through the Express Entry system under the Federal Skilled Worker program category.

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Eddie de Witt

When you get the opportunity to go to the US for work from abroad, then I would say VisaPlace would be your best option to get all your documents in place. My 5 star feedback is based on the help I received from Danielle Grbic as she was really professional, I would straight away ask for Danielle to be in charge of your process. From the time that Danielle took over my case I felt confident that it will go well and at the end it went smoother than expected. On my own I would never have been able to get this internal work transfer done as a L1 visa and was best for the professionals to take charge. After arriving in the US, Danielle was still happy to assist with documents and advise. A huge thanks to Danielle and VisaPlace

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Sweet Ness

I spoke with Lilly last week and she’s incredible. Very informative and you can tell she definably cares about her job. She wasn’t pushy at all and she’s there to help you figure out if this service is right for you. I’d recommend contacting VisaPlace if you’re thinkin of traveling internationally and you have questions about the different types of permits.

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Peter Gianakas

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Vanessa Gomes

I spoke with Lilly last week and she’s incredible. Very informative and you can tell she definably cares about her job. She wasn’t pushy at all and she’s there to help you figure out if this service is right for you. I’d recommend contacting VisaPlace if you’re thinkin of traveling internationally and you have questions about the different types of permits.

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TK B

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Nirmal Singh

Really the best immigration law firm. I got visa with their help, they helped me at every step. They answered every single question. I ‘d recommend 10/10

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Krista Sparkes

Extremely satisfied with the professionalism, expertise, efficiency, speed and thoroughness at which my file was managed. Fadi & Danielle are true class acts! Their response times were fantastic (especially during a high-stress period), their quality of work was phenomenal, and their willingness to go the extra mile (without hidden costs, no less!) to prepare me for my work permit interview was unmatched. I strongly recommend VisaPlace to anyone seeking legal counsel as it relates to cross-border services. Highest Regards, Krista

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