How Can You Start a Business in Canada from India?
Indian entrepreneurs, business owners and companies have several ways to build a business in Canada. This guide explains which options are open in 2026, what IRCC officers look for in applications from India, and what we have seen in our practice. You will also find real client cases and a step-by-step plan.
Key takeaway
If you already run a profitable company in India, expanding through an Intra-Company Transfer is usually the strongest route. The Start-up Visa is paused and Ontario’s entrepreneur stream is closed, so the realistic options today are ICT, the C11 entrepreneur work permit and the British Columbia PNP entrepreneur streams.
Which Business Immigration Options Are Open to Indian Entrepreneurs?
Here is where each option stands in 2026. Rules change often, so confirm the current position before you plan your move. Read our full guides to the Intra-Company Transfer, the C11 entrepreneur work permit, the BC PNP and the Start-up Visa.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
Who it fits
Indian companies with real trading history that want to open a Canadian branch, subsidiary or affiliate and send a senior manager or specialist.
What to know
After 1 year of skilled work in Canada, many transferees can qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class). IRCC posted 11 weeks for work permits from India in October 2026.
C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit
Who it fits
Owners who will hold at least 51% of a Canadian business and run it day to day.
What to know
Since May 27, 2025, permits are issued for up to 18 months. Self-employed time on a C11 does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class, so plan your permanent residence route from the start.
BC PNP Entrepreneur Streams
Who it fits
Experienced owner-managers ready to invest in and live in British Columbia.
What to know
Base stream: $600,000 net worth and a $200,000 investment. Regional stream: $300,000 net worth and a $100,000 investment outside Metro Vancouver. BC has held entrepreneur draws throughout 2026.
Other Provincial Entrepreneur Streams
Who it fits
Entrepreneurs open to settling in a specific province or smaller community.
What to know
Ontario has closed its Entrepreneur Stream. Other provinces run their own entrepreneur streams, and their rules and intake change often.
Start-up Visa (SUV)
Who it fits
Innovative start-ups backed by a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator.
What to know
IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates at the end of 2025. It has announced a new entrepreneur pilot but has not opened it yet.
Owner-Operator LMIA
Who it fits
Historically, foreign buyers of Canadian businesses.
What to know
This route ended on April 1, 2021. Owners now use the regular LMIA process or, often better, the C11 entrepreneur work permit.
What Do IRCC Officers Look For in Applications from India?
Three areas decide most business applications from India. Strong evidence in each one makes the officer’s decision easier.
IRCC officers reviewing applications from India are particularly attentive when it comes to the assessment of the financial capacity of entrepreneurs and business owners. Therefore, make sure to include evidence of sufficient liquid funds available to you to support your business enterprise in Canada. Financial capacity can be established by personal and corporate bank statements, stocks/shares that you hold, saving account statements, tax returns etc. Very often, the visa officers would like to see that business owners have set aside the full amount of business investment funds, plus some additional funds to cover operations costs or unexpected expenses. For example, if you are buying a business for $150,000, it is always recommended to show $250,000 in liquid funds to satisfy the officer of your financial capacity. We also recommend entrepreneurs to include evidence of personal and non-liquid assets with their business immigration applications.
Another important aspect that visa officers scrutinize with any business immigration application from India is whether entrepreneurs are able to perform the work they intend to do in Canada. Thus, it is very important for investors and business owners from India to include plenty of evidence documenting their relevant education, managerial and industry experience and transferrable skills. We suggest including reference letters, evidence of business ownership, certificates for additional training or courses that you took and any other relevant documentation to demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills and experience to undertake this new role in Canada.
Many entrepreneurs and investors are usually reluctant to take risks without solid assurances that their immigration application will go through. It is understandable. Who wants to invest into a business and later learn that he/she cannot come to Canada to manage it? However, to be successful in business immigration applications, entrepreneurs should demonstrate commitment towards the execution of the business plan. Unfortunately, registering a company and submitting a business plan might not satisfy the officer about your genuine intentions to establish and operate a business in Canada. There must be evidence of putting your money at risk and taking steps to execute your business vision. For example, actions like buying a business, funding your business in Canada, entering into a commercial lease agreement, hiring a first employee, buying equipment etc. can satisfy the Visa Officer that you are committed to your business vision and have started executing your business plan.
Which Businesses Work Best for Indian Entrepreneurs in Canada?
India’s strengths in IT, professional services and trade match real demand in Canada. These are the sectors we see most often in strong applications.
Information Technology
Why it works
Canada has a large tech sector and steady demand for software development and IT consulting.
Good fit for
Indian IT firms opening a Canadian office through ICT, and founders building a tech company.
Professional Services
Why it works
Canadian businesses buy HR, recruitment, accounting and financial services, and many Indian firms already serve global clients.
Good fit for
Consulting firms expanding with an existing client base.
Trade
Why it works
Canada imported about US$4.67 billion in goods from India in fiscal 2025-26, and the two countries relaunched free trade (CEPA) talks in 2026.
Good fit for
Importers and distributors of jewelry, textiles, medical supplies and food products.
Trade figure: Government of India Tradestat data, fiscal year 2025-26. For negotiation updates, see Global Affairs Canada’s Canada–India CEPA page. Thinking of a franchise? Read our guide to buying a franchise in Canada as a foreigner.
What Have We Seen in Our Practice with Indian Clients?
We have advised Indian companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups and investors on Canadian business immigration for years. These are patterns from our own files, not IRCC data. For current timelines, see how long an ICT work permit takes from India.
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Typical investment budget
In our practice, most Indian clients invest between $150,000 and $300,000.
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Most common destinations
British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.
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Most common businesses
Franchises (retail, food and professional services), trade (jewelry, textiles, medical supplies, ethnic food), restaurants, recruitment and HR consulting, financial services, and IT services.
Top reasons for refusal in our practice
Not enough available funds
Why it hurts
Officers want to see the full investment plus a buffer for operating costs, in funds you can actually access.
What works instead
Show liquid funds above your planned investment, with bank statements and a clear source of funds.
Weak business viability
Why it hurts
A plan without real customers, costs and revenue reads as a pretext for immigration.
What works instead
Build a realistic business plan with Canadian market research, costs and hiring plans.
Need help with the plan itself? Read our guide to the Canadian immigration business plan.
Success Stories from India to Canada
We have helped numerous clients to successfully business immigrate to Canada. Below are some of our recent Indian client stories, and you can find all of our successful cases in our success stories section.
How Do You Start a Business in Canada from India? 9 Key Steps
Here is the path from idea to launch. Your immigration application and your business plan should move together, so each step supports the other.
Do you already have a service or a product? What is your target audience? Are you solving a specific problem in the market? You need to know the foundational elements of what business you are going into.
Any business can benefit from new connections and valuable advice. Remember, the more information you have to base your business decisions on, the more likely you will succeed.
You must research and develop a viable business, which will not only allow your business to succeed but also be compliant with business immigration if you are a foreign entrepreneur.
This step can take place at any point in the growth of your business, but sometimes ventures need a little bit more capital to get either started or to innovate their processes.
These formalities must be taken care of right from the beginning. You should know which business structure your company should have because it can play a significant role down the road once the business matures.
Depending on your business, you may need to get government approval in the form of permits or licenses. Failure to do so, in many cases, can result in the shutting down of your business.
Your business will need a separate bank account in order to keep the finances separate and keep track of business expenses. Additionally, having a business credit card will help you build a credit history for your business and even get reward points!
It takes a lot to set up a business, but once the foundation is in place, it is time to hit the ground running!
Any successful businessperson must always have a desire for learning. In business, it takes the form of learning from mistakes or successes and analyzing situations that can allow your business to grow even further.
How Big Is the Indian Community in Canada?
South Asians are Canada’s largest racialized group: 2.6 million people, or 7.1% of the population, in the 2021 Census. India is the birthplace of 44% of them (Statistics Canada).
That community gives new Indian businesses customers, suppliers, staff and mentors from day one, especially in the Greater Toronto Area and Metro Vancouver.
Whether you are just starting out or expanding an established company, Canada still offers workable business immigration routes. The right one depends on your business, your funds and where you want to live.
Questions About Starting a Business in Canada from India
No. IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates at the end of 2025, and applicants with a 2025 certificate had until June 30, 2026 to apply for permanent residence. IRCC has announced a new entrepreneur pilot but, as of October 2026, has not opened it.
IRCC posted 11 weeks for work permits applied for from India on October 14, 2026. Plan extra time for biometrics, the medical exam and passport processing. See our guide to ICT work permit processing times from the US, UK and India.
Not directly. Since May 27, 2025, C11 permits are issued for up to 18 months, and self-employed time on a C11 does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class. Most owners plan a separate route, such as a provincial entrepreneur stream.
There is no single federal minimum for ICT or C11, but officers expect a credible investment plus funds to run the business. The BC PNP Base stream requires $600,000 in net worth and a $200,000 investment; the Regional stream requires $300,000 and $100,000. In our practice, most Indian clients invest $150,000 to $300,000.
Yes, your family can apply to come with you. Since January 21, 2025, your spouse qualifies for an open work permit only if your job is in TEER 0 or 1 (or a listed TEER 2 or 3 occupation) and your permit has at least 16 months left. Dependent children no longer get open work permits, but they can attend school in Canada.
No. Ontario has closed its Entrepreneur Stream and has not announced a replacement. British Columbia’s entrepreneur streams remain open, and an ICT or C11 permit can still bring you to Ontario.
