What do the Government of Canada pages say about buying a business as a route to immigration?

People searching for “buying a business in Canada for immigration” may be looking for a single program that turns a purchase into status. The Government of Canada pages read for this guide do not describe one. Buying a business is not itself an immigration program. What IRCC publishes instead is a set of separate routes, each with its own rules and its own current status, some of which mention running or purchasing a business. This guide maps them. It is general information only. Deavo is not an immigration adviser and says nothing here about whether you qualify for anything. Every status below is as read on 25 October 2026, and these pages can change, so check the official page before relying on any of it.

Who may advise you on immigration

Section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act says that, subject to that section, no person shall knowingly, directly or indirectly, represent or advise a person for consideration, or offer to do so, in connection with the submission of an expression of interest under subsection 10.1(3) or a proceeding or application under the Act. Subsection 91(2) lists who does not contravene that rule: a lawyer who is a member in good standing of a provincial law society, a notary who is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, any other member in good standing of a provincial law society or the Chambre, including a paralegal, and a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Subsections 91(3) and (4) add exceptions for a student-at-law acting under a lawyer’s or notary’s supervision and for certain entities acting under an agreement or arrangement with the Crown. The College describes itself as licensing Canadian immigration consultants. Before paying anyone for immigration help, confirm which of those they are.

Provincial nominee programs

IRCC’s Provincial Nominee Program page, read 25 October 2026, says the program lets provinces and territories nominate people who have the skills, education and work experience to help their economy, who want to live in that province or territory and who want to become permanent residents, and it gives business people as an example alongside skilled workers. The page does not make a purchase a qualification. It says each province and territory has its own streams and requirements, and that Quebec and Nunavut don’t have programs. This guide registers no provincial stream page, so it states nothing about any province’s requirements. If a nominee route interests you, read the specific province’s or territory’s own program page.

Where purchasing an existing business appears

IRCC’s guidance on provincial business candidates, coded C60, is where the purchase of an existing business is named. Among the things it says a province’s or territory’s review may include: if the candidate is establishing a new business or purchasing an existing business, whether a sole proprietorship or a partnership, the business must meet the labour market needs of the province or territory of destination, and the candidate must have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of how to run a business in Canada. It also says that if the candidate is approved, the province or territory provides a support letter to obtain a work permit, and that officers keep the authority to make the final decision. In other words, the assessment the guidance describes is made by the province or territory and by IRCC’s officers, not by the seller, a broker or the business itself.

Start-up Visa and self-employed programs

IRCC’s Start-up Visa page, read 25 October 2026, shows the program’s status as paused and says it is closed to all applications other than those from people with a valid 2025 commitment certificate who apply by June 30, 2026. It works through designated organizations, which the page says can develop their own process for receiving proposals from immigrant entrepreneurs, and it addresses applicants under the heading “You have a business idea”. IRCC’s Self-Employed Persons Program page, read the same day, shows a paused status and describes relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. Neither page presents the purchase of an operating business as its route.

Temporary status versus permanent residence

IRCC’s C11 guidance covers foreign nationals seeking only temporary resident status to run, including establishing, their own business. It says that foreign nationals intending to seek permanent residence should instead be assessed under provincial or territorial business candidates (C60) or the Start-up business class (A77). The regulatory basis for these work permit codes is paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which refers to work that would create or maintain significant social, cultural or economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The mechanics of an owner’s work permit are a separate subject.

• Open the official IRCC page for each program and note the status shown and the date the page was last modified.
• Ask any adviser whether they are a lawyer, a Quebec notary or a College member, and check the College’s register.
• Treat a seller’s or broker’s claim that a purchase will “qualify” you as unverified until an official page or a licensed adviser confirms it.
• Keep the business-purchase question separate from the status question. Foreign ownership of a Canadian business is covered by a different regime, explained in the foreign buyer answer.