New around here? How to open a Canadian business as a foreigner

Whether you are an established business seeking to open a branch in Canada or a completely new start-up, it's possible to open your business here.

Canada has a strong economy with plenty of benefits to make it attractive to business owners across the world. You enjoy the business environment of Canada, but you aren't sure how to go about opening your business in Canada as a foreigner. The process varies depending on whether you are an established business seeking to open a branch in Canada or a completely new start-up.

Do you already have a business in another country and want to establish an office in Canada? According to the CIC News, the Intra-Company Transfer program is a solid option to get your foundation employees into the country. They set up the business so you have offices, warehouses, and other essential properties up and running. Your employees get a one-year temporary work permit to establish your business.

Some of the requirements to enter this program include providing thorough documentation explaining how the business intends to be successful in Canada, its ability to fund a business establishment, a business plan explaining how operations are to be conducted after establishment, and proof that commercial property has been purchased for the business. The work permits can be renewed if establishment takes longer than one year. The employees sent through this program are required to have special knowledge useful for opening a business in Canada as a foreigner or be in management positions.

The process is significantly different if you don't have an established business as a foreigner. One way to establish a Canadian business is to go through the business immigration process. Start-up visas require proof that your business concept has support from an acceptable organization. You also need enough start-up capital to reassure the immigration office you are capable of establishing a new, successful business in Canada, and you need to meet education and language requirements.

If you don't feel you would get accepted into the start-up visa program, you have another option. Opening a business as a partnership with a Canadian citizen bypasses that program's requirement. Instead, the Canadian provides you with the citizenship status required for your business.

Canada has a solid infrastructure, plenty of opportunities for savvy business owners and good programs to support business immigration into the country. If you're looking around for a new location to settle in for business, consider Canada's advantages.