Work Visa + Own business

[KOI]

Hello,
I recently received a job offer with a company in British Columbia (yay!). However I want to continue my side business I usually had worked on during the weekends, a workshop courses business in Canada.

Is it possible to setup a side business while on work visa for another company, and what would be the process/fees to do this as a foreigner?

Thanks!

 

[zardoz]

Hello,
I recently received a job offer with a company in British Columbia (yay!). However I want to continue my side business I usually had worked on during the weekends, a workshop courses business in Canada.

Is it possible to setup a side business while on work visa for another company, and what would be the process/fees to do this as a foreigner?

Thanks!

Not unless you are the holder of an Open Work Permit. A closed work permit is restricted to permit only working for that employer. If you were working with Canadian clients or taking income from any Canadian source, you need to have a work permit for your own business. Were you working illegally?

 

[KOI]

okay, thanks!
Would this change upon obtaining a permanent residence in the future or does the limited work visa still hold?

 

[Bs65]

okay, thanks!
Would this change upon obtaining a permanent residence in the future or does the limited work visa still hold?

As a PR you could do what ever you want it is just whilst on a closed work permit as a temporary resident that you are restricted to an employer.

 

[Y16v]

Yes but you can own the bussiness snd hire people to fo the jobs for you....

 

[Victor Aigbologa]

Congratulations.
Do you mind sharing how you got the job? Thanks

 

[Guillaume_fr]

Super interesting! So if you are the holder of a closed work permit you can incorporate, say, in Quebec, and serve customers outside of Canada without infringing immigration laws?

According to this regulation, you seem to be fine if you don't directly compete with Canadian citizens or residents in the Canadian labor market.

 

[Guillaume_fr]

I think it also means you can only pay yourself in dividends because a wage/commission is also considered work.