Can my spouse work if I hold an entrepreneur visa?

For Canada PNP: your spouse is generally eligible for an open work permit. For Canada C11: eligibility depends on whether your role in the company qualifies as high-skilled at TEER 0 or TEER 1. For the US E-2 Visa: your spouse receives automatic work authorization to work for any US employer in any capacity with no separate application required, effective November 2021.

Do I need an LMIA to work in Canada as an entrepreneur?

Not under the dedicated entrepreneur pathways. The C11 Work Permit is LMIA-exempt under exemption code R205(a) of the International Mobility Program. PNP entrepreneur streams use their own work permit mechanisms that do not require a standard Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Canada and USA Entrepreneur Immigration: Three Paths, One Trusted Consultant

Amir Ismail and Associates handles three distinct entrepreneur immigration programs. Each one suits a different type of business owner. We help you identify the right path and execute it correctly.

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What Are the Entrepreneur Immigration Options Available in Canada and the USA?

Entrepreneurs seeking immigration to Canada or the United States have three active pathways that Amir Ismail and Associates handles directly. The first is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams, which allow foreign business owners to gain Canadian permanent residence by establishing a business in one of eleven participating provinces or territories. The second is the C11 Work Permit, a temporary LMIA-exempt work permit for entrepreneurs who want to operate a business in Canada before pursuing permanent residence through a PNP. The third is the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows nationals from 80-plus treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in an active American business. A fourth pathway, the Federal Start-Up Visa, was closed to new applications on January 1, 2026, and is not currently accepting files.

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Which Entrepreneur Immigration Path Is Right for You?

There is no single best option for every entrepreneur. The right path depends on where you want to live, how much capital you have, whether you want temporary or permanent status, and how quickly you need to be operational.

Here is a plain-language summary of all three active pathways AIA handles.

PNP Entrepreneur Programs

Canadian Permanent Residence

What it is: Provincial Nominee Programs let foreign entrepreneurs apply for Canadian permanent residence by starting or buying a business in a specific province or territory. There are eleven active programs across Canada, each with its own requirements for net worth, investment amount, language ability, and business type.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs with CAD $250,000 to CAD $600,000+ in net worth (varies by province)
Business owners who want to live and eventually settle permanently in Canada
Applicants willing to commit to a specific province or region

How it works: Most programs follow a two-stage process. You enter Canada on an entrepreneur work permit, establish your business, meet performance targets over 12 to 24 months, and then apply for your provincial nomination and permanent residence.

Key facts:

11 active provincial and territorial programs
Net worth requirements range from CAD $250,000 (NWT outside Yellowknife) to CAD $600,000 (BC Base, NS Halifax, PEI)
Investment requirements range from CAD $100,000 to CAD $300,000+ depending on the stream
Pathway leads to full Canadian permanent residence

Explore All PNP Entrepreneur Programs

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C11 Work Permit for Entrepreneurs

Canadian Temporary Work Permit + PR via PNP

What it is: The C11 Work Permit is a Canadian LMIA-exempt temporary work permit under the International Mobility Program. It lets foreign entrepreneurs establish or operate a business in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment. After operating the business and meeting provincial targets, most C11 holders pursue permanent residence through a PNP entrepreneur stream.

Important: Major policy changes took effect on May 27, 2025. Old C11 strategies are now invalid. If you received advice before that date, get it reviewed.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs who want to enter Canada and launch a business quickly
Business owners who do not yet meet PNP capital thresholds and need to build a track record first
Applicants who want to test a business idea in Canada before committing to a specific province for PNP

Key facts (post-May 2025 rules):

Minimum 51% ownership of the Canadian business is required
Maximum permit validity: 18 months
You must prove genuine temporary residence intent with documented home-country ties
Dual funding proof is mandatory: separate business capital and personal living funds
C11 work experience no longer counts toward Express Entry Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
PR pathway is now primarily through PNP entrepreneur streams
Last reviewed: March 2026. Source: IRCC policy update May 27, 2025.

Read the Full C11 Work Permit Guide

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USA E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

US Residency for Business Investors

What it is: The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals from 80-plus treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and directing a US business. It is not a green card, but it can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments as long as the business remains operational. Amir Ismail and Associates holds a 98% approval rate on E-2 applications over 34 years of practice.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs from treaty countries (including Canada, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Australia, and 80+ others) who want to expand into the US market
Business investors with USD $75,000 to USD $2,000,000+ to commit to a real operating enterprise
Families who want to live and work in the US without committing to the green card process

Key facts:

No annual visa quota (unlike H-1B)
Renewals are unlimited in two-year increments as long as the business is active
Your spouse can work for any US employer in any capacity (no separate EAD required as of November 2021)
Children under 21 can attend US schools including university
Typical investment range: USD $100,000 to USD $500,000 depending on business type
80+ treaty countries qualify, including Canada, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and many others
Processing: 2 to 6 months (premium processing available)

Read the Full E-2 Investor Visa Guide

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PNP vs. C11 vs. E-2: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	PNP Entrepreneur	C11 Work Permit	E-2 Investor Visa
Country	Canada	Canada	United States
Status Type	Permanent Residence	Temporary Work Permit	Non-immigrant visa (renewable)
Minimum Capital	CAD $250K–$600K net worth	No minimum set by law; must be business-viable	USD $75K–$2M+ (proportionate to business cost)
Ownership Required	Varies by province	51% minimum	Controlling interest
Spouse Work Rights	Yes (open work permit)	Depends on TEER level of applicant’s role	Yes, any US employer (any capacity)
Path to PR/Green Card	Direct nomination	PNP after C11 (indirect)	Separate green card process required
Processing Time	6–24 months	2–6 months for permit	2–6 months for visa
Program Status	Active	Active (new rules May 2025)	Active

Federal Start-Up Visa Program — Now Closed to New Applications

PROGRAM CLOSED — January 1, 2026

The Federal Start-Up Visa Program (SUV) is no longer accepting new applications. IRCC closed the program on January 1, 2026, due to a backlog exceeding 42,000 applications and processing times that had grown beyond 42 months. A new targeted entrepreneur pilot is expected later in 2026, but no details have been confirmed.

Applicants who submitted before January 1, 2026, may still be in processing. All others should explore the three active pathways above.

Source: IRCC official announcement

If you had a Start-Up Visa strategy in place and need to pivot, book a consultation and we will map the best available alternative based on your profile.

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Which Path Fits Your Situation?

Not every entrepreneur qualifies for every program. Here is a plain guide to help you narrow down before your consultation.

If you want to live in Canada permanently and have CAD $250,000+ in net worth: A PNP entrepreneur stream is likely your primary target. Eleven provinces and territories are active. The right one depends on your industry, the city you want to live in, and your available capital. See all PNP programs

If you want to enter Canada quickly to launch a business before committing to a province: The C11 Work Permit lets you establish your business on a temporary basis first. After 12 to 24 months of meeting performance targets, most C11 holders apply through a PNP stream for permanent residence. Be aware: the rules changed in May 2025 and many old strategies are no longer valid. Read the C11 guide

If you want to live and work in the United States through a business investment: The E-2 Investor Visa is open to nationals from 80-plus treaty countries and can be renewed indefinitely. It is the most flexible US business visa for active entrepreneurs. Read the E-2 guide

If you are not sure which path fits your situation: That is what a strategy assessment is for. You do not need to figure this out alone. Book Your Strategy Assessment

Why Entrepreneurs Choose Amir Ismail and Associates

We have been handling business immigration since 1991. That is 35 years of watching programs open, change, pause, and close. We have guided more than 25,000 clients through this process. Here is what makes us different.

We handle all three pathways under one roof. Most consultants specialize in one program type. We handle PNP entrepreneur streams, the C11 Work Permit, and the US E-2 Investor Visa. If the right path for you changes halfway through, we do not have to refer you out.

We are licensed and accountable. Amir Ismail holds RCIC designation number R412319. He is accountable to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Many online immigration services are not regulated. Your file is handled by someone who can lose their license if they give you bad advice.

Our team includes two licensed consultants. Amir’s daughter Rijah Ismail is also a licensed immigration consultant. When you work with us, you get two sets of expert eyes on your file.

We understand your journey from both ends. Our offices are in Toronto, Dubai, and Karachi. We serve entrepreneurs from the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond who want to build a new life in North America.

We have seen every rule change. The C11 changed in May 2025. The SUV closed in January 2026. PNP programs pause and reopen without notice. We track every update so your strategy is always current.

We won the 2026 Canadian Choice Award. That recognition comes from real client outcomes, not marketing spend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Entrepreneur Immigration

Q: What are the entrepreneur immigration options to Canada?

There are two main pathways for entrepreneurs who want to move to Canada. The first is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where you establish a business in a specific province and earn Canadian permanent residence after meeting performance targets. The second is the C11 Work Permit, which lets you enter Canada on a temporary basis to launch a business, then apply for PR through a PNP after 12 to 24 months. A third program, the Federal Start-Up Visa, closed to new applications on January 1, 2026.

Q: What is the difference between the C11 Work Permit and a PNP entrepreneur stream?

A: The C11 Work Permit is a temporary status. It lets you enter Canada and operate a business for up to 18 months. It does not lead directly to permanent residence. After operating the business and meeting provincial performance benchmarks, most C11 holders apply for a PNP nomination as their path to permanent residence. A PNP entrepreneur stream, by contrast, is designed specifically to lead to permanent residence. You enter on an entrepreneur work permit tied to the province, meet their targets, and receive a nomination that allows you to apply for PR.

Q: Can I immigrate to the US as an entrepreneur?

A: Yes. The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals from 80-plus countries (including Canada, Pakistan, UK, Germany, and Australia) to live and work in the United States by investing in an active US business. It is not a green card, but it can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments as long as your business stays operational. Your spouse can work for any US employer. Amir Ismail and Associates has a 98% approval rate on E-2 applications.

Q: Is the Canadian Start-Up Visa still open?

A: No. The Federal Start-Up Visa Program closed to new applications on January 1, 2026. IRCC cited a backlog of over 42,000 applications and processing times that exceeded 42 months as the reason for closure. A new targeted entrepreneur pilot is expected later in 2026, but no details have been announced. Entrepreneurs who were planning to use the SUV should explore PNP entrepreneur streams or the C11 Work Permit instead.

Q: Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to work in Canada as an entrepreneur?

A: Not necessarily. The C11 Work Permit is LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program, exemption code R205(a). It allows qualified entrepreneurs to establish and operate a business in Canada without an LMIA. PNP entrepreneur streams also have their own work permit mechanisms that do not require a standard LMIA. An LMIA is generally required for foreign workers in conventional employment, not for business owners pursuing these dedicated entrepreneur pathways.

Q: How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur?

A: It depends on which program you use. PNP entrepreneur streams require net worth ranging from CAD $250,000 (NWT outside Yellowknife) to CAD $600,000 (BC Base Stream, Nova Scotia Halifax, and PEI) and investment amounts from CAD $100,000 to CAD $300,000 or more. The C11 Work Permit has no government-mandated minimum, but your capital must be sufficient to fund your business plan and cover your family’s living expenses in two separate, documented pools. The E-2 Investor Visa for the US typically requires USD $100,000 to USD $500,000 depending on the business type, though higher-cost businesses may need more.

Q: Can my spouse work in Canada or the US if I hold an entrepreneur visa?

A: For Canada: if you hold a PNP entrepreneur work permit, your spouse is generally eligible for an open work permit. If you hold a C11 work permit, your spouse’s eligibility depends on whether your defined role in the company qualifies as high-skilled (TEER 0 or TEER 1). For the US E-2 Visa: your spouse automatically receives work authorization to work for any US employer in any capacity, with no separate application required (rules effective November 2021).

Q: How do I know which entrepreneur immigration program is right for me?

A: The right program depends on where you want to live, how much capital you have, whether you want temporary or permanent status, what industry you are in, and how quickly you need to be operational. There is no shortcut to this analysis. A strategy assessment with a licensed RCIC is the fastest way to get a clear answer specific to your profile. Book yours here.

Q: How do I get started with Amir Ismail and Associates?

A: Book a strategy assessment on our website. We will review your background, your capital, your target country, and your business idea, and give you a clear recommendation on which program fits your situation and what steps to take next.

Ready to Find Your Path?

You have worked to build your business. Now you want to build a new life in Canada or the United States. That takes the right immigration strategy, not just the first program someone sells you.

Amir Ismail has been doing this since 1991. He knows every active program, every recent rule change, and every mistake to avoid. So does his team.

Book your strategy assessment today. It is the most important first step.

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