Can foreigners start a small business in Canada?

[sokinecola]

specifically, start business in Ontario Province

I am a foreigner but I have 1 canadian citizen who is willing to be my partner/director.
my questions are:
1) If I form Partnership with her, can I actively manage my own business? (rather than passive ownership only)?
2) same as 1), the difference is form a corporation
3) If I live in Canada permanently, and manage my business in Canada, do I have to immigrant eventually?

Thanks folks

 

[scylla]

Starting a business / partnership in Canada doesn't automatically allow you to live or work here - or necessarily lead to PR.

To live and work in Canada before PR, you should read up on the closed work permit process - this requires securing a full time job offer from an employer in Canada with an existing business and also having that employer obtain an approved LMIA.

For immigrating to Canada based on a business, I would recommend you read up on the Start Up Visa immigration program and also the provincial nominee programs.

Good luck.

 

[torontosm]

specifically, start business in Ontario Province

I am a foreigner but I have 1 canadian citizen who is willing to be my partner/director.
my questions are:
1) If I form Partnership with her, can I actively manage my own business? (rather than passive ownership only)?
2) same as 1), the difference is form a corporation
3) If I live in Canada permanently, and manage my business in Canada, do I have to immigrant eventually?

Thanks folks

As a foreigner, you can own a business in Canada. However, you can not work for that business without the proper authorization (work visa). So, the answers to #1 and #2 are both no, and #3 is N/A since you can't live here permanently without either being a PR or a citizen.

 

[medellru]

specifically, start business in Ontario Province

I am a foreigner but I have 1 canadian citizen who is willing to be my partner/director.
my questions are:
1) If I form Partnership with her, can I actively manage my own business? (rather than passive ownership only)?
2) same as 1), the difference is form a corporation
3) If I live in Canada permanently, and manage my business in Canada, do I have to immigrant eventually?

1. yes
2. yes
3. if you are a PR, no issues. If you a visitor, you are still can do that easily if it won't interfere with the current regulations.

 

[Bs65]

1. yes
2. yes
3. if you are a PR, no issues. If you a visitor, you are still can do that easily if it won't interfere with the current regulations.

(3) as a visitor running a business is likely only possible if zero Canadian clients for example an online business where all clients without exception are offshore. Otherwise need to be PR plus of course a visitor has limited rights to stay in the country.

Overall probably not a good investment unless PR .Owning a business or buying a Canadian business unless through the business migration/startup PR route is not a way to PR.