Take your companyto Canada,business first.

Why Canada is on the agenda of Latin American companies

Canada is a market of more than 40 million consumers next to the United States, with a stable legal system and a network of trade agreements. Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Panama, among others, have free trade agreements with Canada, and some of those agreements include provisions for the temporary entry of business people. What each agreement allows depends on the country, the category and the person, so it is always reviewed case by case.

Valentina's view, which she repeats on stage and in every first meeting, is that the company comes first. An immigration application cannot replace a business plan. Before thinking about permits, a business owner needs to know whether there is demand for what the company sells, how it will operate in Canada and what resources the plan really needs.

The questions to answer before incorporating

A Canadian expansion is more than an incorporation. These are the questions that usually come up together:

• Should the company open a subsidiary, a branch or another form of presence in Canada?
• Can the current company support a cross-border expansion, operationally and financially?
• What requirements could apply to the owners, investors and executives who need to travel or relocate?
• Are the planned investment and operating resources aligned with the plan?
• Which regulatory, corporate and tax matters need specialised advice?
• Would relocating part of the operation, or the head office, make sense?

One project, four connected perspectives

Global Venture Visa, the firm Valentina co-founded and where she is COO, reviews an expansion through four lenses at the same time, so that one decision does not undo another.

Business and corporate

The existing business, its history, its ownership and the activities planned in Canada. From there, possible entry models are identified: a new company, a subsidiary, a branch, an acquisition or a restructuring.

Legal and regulatory

Preliminary corporate and regulatory issues that can affect the establishment or the acquisition, such as registrations, foreign investment considerations or sector licences.

Immigration and corporate mobility

The temporary mobility options that could be relevant for owners, active investors, executives and key personnel. Individual eligibility always depends on current rules and on each person's profile.

Financial and investment readiness

The financial information available, the investment planned and the funding the operation will need during its first stage.

Mobility for owners and key people

Once the business plan holds up, the question of who needs to be in Canada, and under which category, becomes concrete. These are the routes most often reviewed:

Entrepreneur work permit (C11)

A temporary route for owners who will run a business in Canada that brings a significant benefit to the country. It starts from the business: under IRCC guidance the owner generally needs to control at least 51% of the company, and the initial permit is normally issued for up to 18 months. It is a temporary status and does not by itself lead to permanent residence.

Intra-company transfers

For companies that already operate abroad and want to send executives, managers or specialised staff to a Canadian office. The person usually needs at least one year of full-time work with the company in the last three years, and opening a new office comes with its own requirements on premises, staffing and financial capacity.

Mobility under free trade agreements

Some agreements include categories for traders, investors, professionals or intra-company transferees. The categories change from one agreement to another, and a treaty does not create a job offer or replace a professional licence.

About the Start-up Visa

IRCC paused new Start-up Visa applications on June 30, 2026. Companies that were considering that route need to review their options with current information.

Where Valentina fits in

Valentina brings the strategic and legal lens: she helps a company decide what to do first and what to leave for later, and she explains the process on stage to chambers of commerce and business associations. The specific work for each company is carried out by Global Venture Visa, within the scope agreed with each client. Nothing on this page is legal advice, and no corporate, commercial or immigration result can be guaranteed.