Owner-Operator LMIA

Owner-Operator LMIA, the advertising exempted LMIA category has become one of the most sought-after paths for foreign nationals who desire to start or operate a business in Canada. It is a special class of programs within TFWP which simplifies and accelerates the process of immigration for potential self-employed business investors.

If you are a foreign businessman looking to establish or purchase a business in Canada, you must:

• Be a sole proprietor and be involved in the day to day operations of the business.
• Own more than 50% share in the business.
• Have controlling interest of 50% or more in the business.

In the case of joint ownership, the individual with the largest shareholder can for LMIAs for the other co-owners.

Other Considerations / Requirements for Owner-operator LMIA: –

• A  business plan that creates and retains jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
• Documents to prove active involvement of the owner-operator in the business, the need of his /her presence in Canada for operations.
• The applicant must occupy the senior-most position in the business without being answerable to any superiors.
• Ensuring that the company has enough financial resources.
• The operator needs to procure licenses and registrations required to operate the business.
• Identifying or securing the business location.

Once the approval is given under the owner-operator LMIA stream, a work permit valid for 1 – 2 years is granted.

In most cases, the owner applies for a permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Express entry or under the Provincial Nominee Program. The owner-operator LMIA program increases the chances of gaining permanent residency through express entry as it improves CRS score by 200 points.