October 3rd 2024 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently made important changes to the work permits available under the Start-up visa program.
Under the new rules put in effect on October 3rd, 2024, businesspersons can now apply for an open work permit while waiting for the processing of their permanent residence application under the Start-up visa program. This open work permit is valid for up to 3 years and allows entrepreneurs to work for almost any employer in Canada, in addition to working on developing their own start-ups.
Until now, applicants received an employer-specific work permit allowing them to work solely for their own business, and only valid for one year.
This change will be a welcome development for entrepreneurs looking to immigrate to Canada, as it allows start-up founders to supplement their income through other employment during the early stages of their business.
Businesspersons who have already applied for a work permit under the start-up visa program before October 3rd, 2024, will still receive an employer-specific work permit allowing them to work only for their start-up. However, they are eligible to submit a new application for an open work permit under the updated rules. This is possible even if they have already received a work permit under the previous rules.
About Mandeville & Associates Ltd.
Since 1986, Mandeville & Associates – Immigration Group has been offering consulting services intended for international businesspeople of every continent wishing to settle in the United States of America, Canada, and Europe.
With its head office in Hong Kong and professionals permanently based in the United Kingdom and Canada, Mandeville & Associates – Immigration Group offers a wide range of immigration and consultancy services with a team of specialized lawyers and multilingual immigration experts. Business migration programs, such as the immigrant investor program, start-up visa program, and other residency-by-investment programs, allow the successful applicant, spouse, and dependent children to obtain a residency visa and this status may lead to citizenship with certain conditions.
Mandeville & Associates – Immigration Group provides specialized services to professionals, business incubators, brokers, and immigration consultants recruiting candidates for immigration to the United States of America, Canada, and Europe through business migration programs.