Home News Webinar Recap: An Overview of Business Immigration in Canada & How Co-Counseling Can Work for You

Webinar Recap: An Overview of Business Immigration in Canada & How Co-Counseling Can Work for You

Marianella Manzur

Updated 12.03.25 • 6 minutes read

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This Joorney webinar brought together practitioners from Canadian immigration, providing them with invaluable insights and takeaways for navigating the world of business immigration.

Our guest speaker Phil Mooney shared his extensive knowledge and experience on the current status of C11, SUVs to LMIA applications for owner-operators, and the latest updates on crucial topics, ensuring you stay at the forefront of this ever-evolving field.

Beyond the updates, the webinar delved into new lines of business and special programs, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of the diverse avenues available for their clients. Phil shared his expertise, providing guidance on initiating clients’ business immigration journeys and highlighting the best pathways to pursue.

The webinar provided comprehensive guidelines on accessing and utilizing co-counseling effectively and ethical practices for practitioners in the field of business immigration.

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This article will share the most useful advice you need to consider regarding Business immigration in Canada and highlights key takeaways from Phil’s expertise with a FREE PDF for more information.

Question: How can the strike affect business immigration in Canada? What is the strike’s duration expected to last, and what are the potential outcomes?

Answer: Exactly how the strike will impact applications is still being determined. While most immigration offices and workers in Canada are on strike, visa officers at overseas visa posts are still functioning. However, the government will allocate resources based on their priorities. This means that applications filed in certain locations may not receive immediate attention, as resources might be directed toward cases like refugee applications or permits for specific groups. Reviewing each application and considering the processing route, even for online submissions, is essential. Some initial checks are typically done in specific offices, and if that personnel are affected by the strike, it could cause delays. Therefore, while we can’t provide a definitive answer on the effects, it’s essential to keep clients informed about potential delays and continue filing applications as they come in. When the strike concludes, applications will likely be processed in the order received.

A settlement may be reached on these points within the next few weeks. On the other hand, if the situation escalates, Parliament has the authority to legislate the striking workers back to work. However, this would require agreement from multiple political parties. Considering these factors, it’s reasonable to anticipate the strike lasting approximately two to three weeks. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the duration remains uncertain, and the situation could change.

BUSINESS IMMIGRATION IN CANADA

Question: Let’s talk a bit about business immigration and everything you need to know about how to deal with it.

Answer: Let’s discuss the process when someone expresses their interest in coming to Canada for business immigration. As you gain experience and excel in serving your clients in various immigration matters, you may receive more calls like these. Even if you primarily focus on spousal cases, your clients may recommend you for other immigration-related inquiries. So, let’s explore how business immigration can begin when you receive an inquiry from someone who simply says, “I want to come to Canada.

Question: How do you handle such inquiries?

Answer: The first step is to gather information about the caller. You’ll need to find out what they know, what they do, and assess their qualifications. For example, if they have a PhD, are fluent in English and another language, and have significant financial resources, but they’re 47 years old, their chances of being selected through the Express Entry system may be limited. In this case, you’ll need to consider alternative options.

Question: How can you disqualify potential clients effectively?

Answer: To use your time productively and obtain the necessary information, it’s helpful to send them a questionnaire. This way, you can ask about their medical background, criminal history, and previous visa refusals, which are crucial factors to consider. By sending out a questionnaire, you can quickly determine if they meet the basic requirements for immigration. If they don’t qualify, express your appreciation for their inquiry and use the opportunity to showcase your professionalism, as they may refer other potential clients to you in the future.

Question: What should you do if they pass the initial screening?

Answer: If the potential client passes the initial screening and their responses on the questionnaire indicate that they could be eligible for immigration, you can invite them to a consultation. Nowadays, virtual meetings through platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet make it convenient to schedule one-hour consultations. Whether you choose to charge for the consultation or not is up to you. During the consultation, you can delve deeper into their specific goals and requirements.

Question: How do you determine the best immigration program for them?

Answer: Once you have a clear understanding of their goals, you need to identify the most suitable immigration program for their situation. Express Entry is often the best option for many applicants, as it offers a fast track to permanent residency. By assessing their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and eligibility under programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you can determine if Express Entry is a viable path for them. If they don’t meet the criteria for Express Entry, you can explore other options such as temporary-to-permanent pathways, work permits, study permits, or business immigration programs.

Question: What factors should you consider when exploring business immigration options?

Answer: As an authorized representative, your obligation is to guide clients towards the best and most straightforward option, rather than pushing them towards the most expensive program. It’s important to familiarize yourself with various business immigration programs and assess which ones align with their qualifications. Express the benefits and limitations of each program transparently. For example, if they require additional points, you can consider pathways such as temporary foreign worker programs, provincial nominee programs (PNPs), self-employed programs, startup visas, treaty investor programs, owner-operator LMIA, and significant benefit programs. Keep in mind that some programs have specific language requirements, and the rules.

BUSINESS IMMIGRATION PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

Question: What are some important considerations when assisting business immigration clients in Canada?

Answer: When working with business immigration clients in Canada, there are several crucial factors to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s essential to narrow down the type of business they are interested in. Simply stating that they want any kind of business is not sufficient. The client needs to have a clear idea of the specific business they want to pursue in Canada.

It’s important to note that as an advisor, you should not recommend or assure the profitability of a particular business. Providing business advice or engaging in the selling of a business can lead to conflicts of interest and may violate securities regulations.

Additionally, it’s crucial to assess whether the client is willing to enlist the services of a business broker to find a suitable opportunity. This is because visa officers reviewing their application will look for evidence of how they have identified the business they intend to invest in

Question: What other considerations should be taken into account when assisting business immigration clients?

Answer: One important aspect is ensuring that the client has sufficient liquid assets. Some countries may have restrictions on transferring funds, making it challenging for clients to bring in the necessary down payment for a business in Canada.

The suitability of the business concept for the intended province is another critical factor to evaluate. Factors such as the climate, market demand, and local conditions should be considered. For example, starting a business focused on growing roses or flowers in a province with a short growing season like Saskatchewan may not be advisable.

Furthermore, it’s vital to ensure that the client’s experience aligns with the proposed business. Visa officers need to be convinced that the individual has the necessary skills and expertise to manage the business successfully. While specific experience in the chosen business is not always required, general business management skills are crucial.

The client’s intent and ability to actively engage in the day-to-day management of the business are also important considerations. Simply investing money without active involvement is no longer a viable option for business immigration in Canada.

Lastly, clients should be prepared to consider smaller towns or locations outside major cities. Living in a smaller town may be a requirement for some business programs, and it’s crucial to assess the client’s willingness to relocate.

Considering processing times is also essential, as clients often want to know when they can start operating their business. It’s important to align their expectations with the processing times associated with different business immigration programs to avoid any potential complications.

Many thanks to our guest expert Phil Mooney and many people that expressed interest in our free live webinar!
Looking forward to the next webinar! For more insights on this topic, download our FREE webinar PDF.

Download the Webinar PDF

Joorney Business Plans Canada is not an immigration consultant, lawyer, or advisor and cannot be held responsible for damages incurred from the use of this information. If you require more information about a program, please contact a registered immigration professional.

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