International Entrepreneur Business Services
BUILD YOUR BUSINESS IN CANADA.
Commercial business services for international entrepreneurs pursuing Canadian business ownership.
GURU Business Canada helps entrepreneurs explore, establish, acquire, and develop Canadian businesses. Immigration eligibility, work permits, permanent residence applications, and legal representation are assessed and handled by independent authorized immigration professionals. Legal, tax, accounting, and financial matters require the appropriate independent professional.
GURU Business Canada provides commercial business services only. We do not provide immigration advice, legal advice, financial advice, or accounting services. Immigration eligibility, pathway selection, and application guidance must be obtained from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), immigration lawyer, or other authorized professional. GURU can assist in coordinating access to appropriately authorized immigration professionals through its professional network. Those professionals provide their services independently and remain responsible for their own professional advice and work.
International Experience. Canadian Business Guidance.
Establishing a business in a new country requires careful consideration of the market, operating costs, customers, staffing, and the responsibilities of ownership.
GURU Business Canada brings practical entrepreneurial experience developed through business ownership, commercial operations, and major projects in Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.
We help international entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities, understand the commercial realities of establishing a Canadian business, and develop practical plans suited to their experience, resources, and objectives. Our approach combines research, business planning, operational support, and personalized guidance.
Personal Guidance From an Experienced Business Owner
At GURU Business Canada, clients have the opportunity to work directly with founder Kevin Lutchmansingh.
His guidance is informed by decades of firsthand experience in business ownership, operations, leadership, and commercial development.
Through personalized consultations, coaching, and mentorship, he helps entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities, strengthen their decision making, and develop practical approaches to business ownership.
We recognize that every entrepreneur brings different capabilities, resources, circumstances, and ambitions. Our approach begins with understanding the individual and identifying a business direction suited to their needs and capacity.
Introductory conversations are offered at no cost. Strategy sessions and ongoing mentorship are paid services, with scope and fees agreed in writing before work begins.
WHAT GURU PROVIDES FOR INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS.
GURU provides a comprehensive, coordinated set of commercial business services. The scope and deliverables depend on each client's approved engagement.
Business Opportunity Identification
Research and identification of business opportunities suited to your objectives, investment capacity and target market.
Commercial Feasibility Research
Assessment of commercial viability, market conditions and competitive landscape for identified business opportunities.
Business Creation
End-to-end creation of a new business — from concept and planning through to operational readiness.
Business Acquisition
Identification, assessment and acquisition support for purchasing an existing Canadian business.
Commercial Acquisition Assessments
Structured commercial review of acquisition targets to support informed purchase decisions.
Business Plans and Market Research
Professionally prepared business plans and market research to support your business project.
Operating Plans and Commercial Assumptions
Detailed operating plans and commercial projections to guide business launch and early operations.
Financial Projections Coordination
Coordination of financial projections with qualified independent professionals. GURU does not provide financial advice or accounting services.
Incorporation and Business Registration Coordination
Coordination of incorporation and business registration with qualified legal and accounting professionals.
Branding and Corporate Identity
Development of your business brand, visual identity and corporate presentation.
Website and Digital Infrastructure
Design and development of your business website and core digital presence.
Social Media Establishment
Setup and initial development of your business social media presence.
Marketing and Customer Acquisition
Marketing strategy and customer acquisition planning to support business launch and growth.
Recruitment and Staffing Coordination
Support with recruitment planning and staffing coordination for your new business.
Supplier and Operational Systems
Identification and setup of suppliers, vendors and operational systems required to run your business.
Business Launch Preparation
Comprehensive preparation for business launch, including operational readiness review and go-to-market planning.
Owner Training
Practical training to prepare you to operate your business confidently from day one.
Ongoing Operational Support
Continued support during the critical early operating period of your business.
Business Mentorship and Leadership Development
Ongoing mentorship and leadership development to support your growth as a business owner.
GURU does not directly provide financial management, financial advice, accounting, legal advice, or immigration advice.
THE CLIENT JOURNEY.
The steps below are an overview. Specific provincial programs have different procedures, sequencing and requirements. Your authorized immigration professional will guide the immigration process.
A no-cost 35-minute Discovery Consultation with GURU to discuss your objectives, background and business interests.
An assessment of your immigration eligibility and pathway options by an authorized immigration professional. GURU can assist in arranging access to an authorized professional through its network.
GURU researches and identifies business opportunities suited to your objectives, investment capacity and the requirements of your applicable program.
Business feasibility assessment, business plan preparation and establishment planning — coordinated with your immigration professional as required.
Immigration and business establishment processes proceed in the sequence required by your applicable program. GURU manages the commercial side of business establishment.
GURU provides ongoing operational support and mentorship during the business operation period required by your program.
IS THIS THE RIGHT PATH FOR YOU?
Canada's entrepreneur immigration programs are designed for individuals who intend to own and actively manage a business in Canada. GURU's role is to help you identify, plan, and build that business. Immigration eligibility, pathway selection, and application guidance are separate matters handled by authorized immigration professionals.
GURU Business Canada provides commercial business services — business identification, planning, creation, acquisition, and development. We do not assess immigration eligibility or provide immigration advice.
Immigration eligibility, work permit applications, permanent residence pathways, and legal representation are assessed and managed by independent Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), immigration lawyers, or other authorized professionals.
Provincial entrepreneur programs.
Last reviewed: November 4, 2026. Programs change often. Always confirm with the official source and an authorized professional.
The programs below are research starting points for international entrepreneurs exploring Canadian business immigration. This is not an exhaustive inventory of Canadian entrepreneur programs. Program availability, requirements and procedures change. Always verify current status directly with the relevant government authority and consult an authorized immigration professional.
Each province establishes its own eligibility requirements, intake procedures and invitation schedules. EOI registration is distinct from an invitation to apply; neither guarantees selection, nomination, or permanent residence. Prospective applicants should verify the latest status through the linked government source and consult an authorized Canadian immigration professional.
BC Provincial Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Immigration
British Columbia offers two distinct Entrepreneur Immigration streams. The Base stream supports establishing an eligible new business or acquiring and growing an existing business in British Columbia; it is not restricted to Vancouver or urban centres. The Regional stream supports establishing a new business in a participating community outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District. A community referral and exploratory visit are required for the Regional stream.
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program — Rural Entrepreneur Stream
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream supports eligible entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community. Applicants follow the stream's community-support, Expression of Interest, application, and business-establishment requirements. On August 12, 2026, Alberta published additional guidance explaining how it assesses the existing economic-establishment requirement for the Rural Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur streams. Program eligibility criteria and requirements did not change. Existing EOI holders were not required to update their EOIs solely because of this clarification.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program — Business Investor Stream
Manitoba's Business Investor Stream includes an Entrepreneur Pathway for individuals who intend to establish or purchase a business in Manitoba and actively manage it.
Quebec Immigrant Investor and Entrepreneur Programs
Quebec administers its own immigration programs independently. The Entrepreneur Program targets individuals who intend to start or acquire a business in Quebec and actively manage it. Quebec's programs and intake schedules are managed by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
Nova Scotia Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Stream
Nova Scotia's Entrepreneur Stream targets experienced entrepreneurs who intend to establish or purchase a business in Nova Scotia and actively manage it. Submitting an Expression of Interest is free. Announced August 6, 2026 and effective September 1, 2026, a CAD $2,000 entrepreneur application fee applies where an EOI is selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026, regardless of when it was submitted. Candidates whose selection letter was issued before September 1, 2026 are exempt. Payment is due within 90 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply for a new business, 180 calendar days for purchasing an existing business, and 90 calendar days for International Graduate Entrepreneur applicants. Failure to provide proof of payment within the required period results in EOI closure without assessment. Fees are non-refundable except where required by law or an administrative error occurred.
New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream
The New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream supports eligible entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in New Brunswick and actively participate in its daily management. Provincial nomination depends on satisfying the program and Business Performance Agreement requirements. MDD Forensic Accountants is no longer accepting new net-worth verification clients for this stream. The province directs candidates requiring verification services to Doane Grant Thornton LLP or MNP LLP. The notice does not state an announcement or effective date.
PEI Provincial Nominee Program — Business Impact Category
Prince Edward Island's Business Impact Category targets entrepreneurs and investors who intend to establish or purchase a business in PEI and actively manage it.
Newfoundland and Labrador — International Entrepreneur Category
The International Entrepreneur Category is for eligible experienced business owners or senior managers who want to establish or acquire a business in Newfoundland and Labrador. Applicants must follow the provincial application and approval process and obtain any required federal work authorization. They must actively manage the business and operate it for at least one full year. If all requirements are met, they may then be nominated for permanent residence. Nomination and permanent residence are not guaranteed.
Northwest Territories Nominee Program — Business Stream
The Northwest Territories Business Stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to own and actively manage a business in the Northwest Territories. Applicants generally submit an Expression of Interest and, if selected, proceed through the application and business establishment stages.
Yukon Nominee Program — Business Nominee
The Yukon Business Nominee Program supports experienced entrepreneurs who want to own and actively manage a business in Yukon. Applicants must demonstrate relevant business experience and commit to establishing or purchasing a business in the territory.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot — Northern Ontario
In Northern Ontario, participating communities include Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Timmins. It is employer driven and generally needs a job offer from a designated employer. Eligibility varies by community. See IRCC for participating communities.
PROGRAMS WITH PAUSED, CLOSED, OR RESTRICTED INTAKE.
The following programs are not currently accepting new applications, have been paused, or have restricted intake as of the last review date. Status can change. Verify directly with the relevant government authority.
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program — Entrepreneur Pathways
Effective March 27, 2025, Saskatchewan permanently closed its Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator immigration pathways. No new applications or Expressions of Interest are accepted, and no further invitations are issued under these pathways. Existing applications continue to be processed.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
In 2026 Ontario redesigned its nominee program. The Entrepreneur Stream remains closed. The Masters Graduate and Employer Job Offer streams closed on May 30, 2026. Check the official OINP page for current streams. A new Entrepreneur stream has been reported as proposed, but no rules or dates have been confirmed.
Federal Self-Employed Persons Program
Paused until further notice.
Start-Up Visa Program
IRCC stopped accepting new Start-Up Visa applications on December 31, 2025. Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate were exempt. Confirm any deadline with IRCC. IRCC has announced a new targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs. As of November 4, 2026, we have not found published eligibility details on IRCC's website.
Pathways That Begin in Ontario
Ontario does not currently have an open entrepreneur stream for permanent residence. There are, however, federal routes that may allow a person to come to Ontario to own and run a genuine business. Whether any route applies to you must be confirmed by a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
Owner-Operator LMIA
A person buys or establishes a business in Ontario and a Labour Market Impact Assessment supports a work permit to run it in a genuine senior management role. A controlling interest in the business is generally expected. This route is highly discretionary. Employers may not charge LMIA fees to the worker.
C11 Owner-Operator Work Permit
An LMIA-exempt work permit under the International Mobility Program for a person who will own and actively manage a business that provides a significant benefit to Canada. Ownership of at least 51 percent is generally expected. It is temporary and does not by itself grant permanent residence.
Express Entry: Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
A category for people with at least 12 months of full-time senior management experience in Canada within the past three years, in NOC 00012, 00013, 00014 or 00015. Invitations depend on a ranking score and the cutoff set for each draw. IRCC has not confirmed whether time as a self-employed owner counts toward this category.
Family members may be able to accompany the main applicant. Whether a spouse can receive an open work permit, and how children study, depends on the permit type and current rules.
Establishing a Business in Ontario
Ontario is Canada's largest provincial economy and a primary destination for international entrepreneurs. GURU Business Canada has specific expertise in Ontario business establishment. Business establishment services and immigration eligibility assessment are separate — GURU provides the commercial side, and authorized immigration professionals assess immigration options independently.
Ontario Business EstablishmentProgram information is provided for general research purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements, thresholds, intake procedures and program availability change without notice. Always verify current program status directly with the relevant government authority and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), immigration lawyer, or other authorized professional before making any immigration or business decisions.
Common Questions
What is Express Entry and the CRS?
Express Entry is the federal system Canada uses to manage applications for permanent residence under several economic immigration programs. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors such as age, language ability, education and work experience.
Does owning a business earn points?
Owning a business or the size of an investment does not itself earn CRS points. Points come from factors such as age, language, education and work experience.
Can my family be included?
Spouses and dependent children can generally be included in a permanent residence application, subject to current rules.
November 4, 2026
READY TO BUILD YOUR CANADIAN BUSINESS?
Book a free 35-minute Discovery Consultation with GURU Business Canada. We'll discuss your objectives, the Canadian business landscape, and how GURU can help you build.