What documents and forms do business-owner immigration programs ask for?

This is general information, not immigration advice, and it does not say whether you qualify for anything. Deavo is not an immigration adviser. Buying a business does not by itself make an immigration application. The program pages decide what each route asks for. IRCC’s pages, read 25 October 2026, show that the two business programs below are not taking applications from new applicants.

The Start-up Visa

IRCC’s Start-up Visa how-to-apply page, read 25 October 2026, says the program was paused on June 30, 2026, and that IRCC will continue to process applications it accepted before that date. Its program page, read the same day, says applicants needed a valid 2025 commitment certificate and had to apply by June 30, 2026, and that the program is closed to all other applications. The how-to-apply page still lists the forms and documents. It says you must use the document checklist (IMM 5760) to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need, and it names Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) and Schedule 13 – Business Immigration Programs – Start Up Business. The supporting documents it lists include a travel document or passport, language proficiency test results, a letter of support, police certificates, proof of funds and the fee payment receipt.

The Self-Employed Persons Program

IRCC’s Self-Employed Persons page, read 25 October 2026, shows the program as paused and says IRCC stopped accepting applications on April 30, 2024. It lists its own Document Checklist (IMM 5784) and Schedule 6A for self-employed persons. IRCC describes the program as being for people who have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. It does not describe it as a route for buying a business.

A provincial stream

IRCC’s Provincial Nominee Program page, read 25 October 2026, says each province and territory has its own requirements and that you contact the province or territory to apply for a nomination. British Columbia’s Entrepreneur Immigration page, read the same day, says its streams are for entrepreneurs who meet eligibility and requirements criteria based on factors such as personal net worth, business experience and economic impact, and that the Base stream is a pathway for people looking to start a new business or take over and grow an existing one. It says an invitation is needed to apply, that registering does not guarantee an invitation, that an invited applicant must include all required documents, and that a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm reviews personal net worth after an invitation. That page does not tell you whether the stream is open today, so check it directly.

Translations, copies and who may help

IRCC’s Start-up Visa how-to-apply page says each supporting document not in English or French needs an English or French translation, and it describes the certified-translator and affidavit options. It says that to certify a copy, an authorized person must compare it with the original, and that authority to certify varies by province and territory. Deavo is not an immigration adviser. IRCC’s representatives page says only authorized representatives may charge a fee or take any other payment: lawyers and paralegals in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, notaries in good standing with the Chambre des notaires du Québec, and consultants in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, which licenses Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs). It says it may return or refuse an application that uses an unauthorized representative.

For the business side of a purchase, the documents are different. See what due diligence documents to ask for when buying a business.