My Services to Immigration Lawyers and Registered Immigration Consultants

I started working PNP Business Programs when New Brunswick Business Stream was still a direct program to permanent residency. Although provincial programs can pause or undergo significant changes, they have been my main focus and area of interest all through the years as I see how truly local professional communities support newcomer entrepreneurs to expedite the family settlement and business establishment.

Being an immigrant through this program myself, I have experienced the whole process (and through COVID!) myself. While many details of this program have changed since I applied and got my permanent residency, the core requirements remain the same: The start-up team needs to prove they are genuinely working on their products and services, and that tangible continuous progress is being recorded.

I have had successful clients for the following programs:

• New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream
• Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream
• Ontario Entrepreneur Stream
• Manitoba Entrepreneur Pathway
• Alberta Farm Stream
• British Columbia Entrepreneur Program – Base
• British Columbia Entrepreneur Program – Regional

My clients come from the following backgrounds and qualify as business owners or managers:

• Healthcare:
• Construction:
• Manufacturing:
• Retail:
• Agriculture:
• Food and Restaurants:
• Personal Services:
• And more!

 

1. Initial Meeting: My process starts by having a meeting with you or the client directly to get to know their background and preferences. I will need to know exactly what their specialty is, what products or services they offer in their current business, and what the level of their “involvement” is in the business in their home country.

2. Proposal: Then, I will do a preliminary market research to see what kind of related business would be viable in which province. After, I prepare a proposal, including 2 business concepts and 2 provinces, making sure that business ideas are “attractive” in the proposed provinces (e.g., they are in key sectors, don’t have competitors).

3. Concept Finalization: Now the client needs to review the proposal, consider my evaluation of “pros and cons” of each business and province, and decide which they would like to move forward with. Depending on your decision, I can have a meeting with you or your client to discuss the proposal.

4. Exploratory Visit: Even if not mandatory, I strongly recommend clients do an exploratory visit, even if virtual. This really helps with validating the business concept selected and building a strong foundation for future professional networking. I will connect the client to respective professionals in the destination city (e.g., accountants, commercial real estate agents, chamber of commerce, city hall economic development officers, newcomer centre, schools), schedule meetings with them, and prepare a visually attractive and informative exploratory visit report based on the information gathered by the client.

5. Expression of Interest (EOI): While most of the programs do not require a full business plan and financial forecasts at this stage, I recommend preparing one at this stage. This helps avoid multiple editions and changes between the data in EOI and Full Application. If required, I can also assist you in filling out the EOI forms and online profile.

6. Full Application: Considering the level of effort and meticulousness I have already put into the file, the client will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) in only a few months (I haven’t had a client whose EOI expired without an ITA in the last 4 years!). I will go back to the business plan and check all the data to see what should be updated (market research, competitors, wages, financial forecast benchmarks, advancements with suppliers, quotes from professionals, etc). Again, if requested, I can also assist you with filling out the business-related forms and the online profile.

7. Interview Preparation: Depending on the program, the client can get invited for an interview in a few months (some programs don’t have interviews, and some only ask for clarification through email). I will do my best to prepare the client for the interview with the immigration officer during several meetings and give them tips on how to prepare themselves and present their proposal.

8. Work Permit Support: After the interview, the client receives a Letter of Support from the province. While filing a work permit is fully out of the scope of my knowledge and practice, I will still support you to prepare a strong work permit application through preparing progress reports and receiving letters of confirmation with regard to significant benefits from local organizations (to answer one of the main points of concern of officers proactively!).

1. Family Establishment: Being an immigrant myself, I understand how stressful the first few months might be, especially if moving to Canada with kids. Although this doesn’t exactly fall within the specialty of a “business advisor”, but I’m still happy to assist your clients with preparing their move and planning for the first month by creating them a customized “Month 1 Planner” with useful information on personal banking, accommodation, local transportation, getting ID cards, healthcare, school registration, and other initial tasks.

2. Commercial Lease: Based on experience, believe it or not, finding a commercial (or industrial, depending on the type of business) is one of the most challenging tasks for an entrepreneur. This is even harder in smaller communities. I will do my best to ensure the client does not lose precious time and signs a lease for their business as soon as possible.

3. Regulatory Navigation: Besides zoning regulations that should be confirmed with the City before signing a commercial lease, depending on the type of business, we might need to receive extra licenses and permits or go through inspection with the City, Regional, or Provincial authorities (such as regional health authorities for restaurants). I will identify all the items that need to be checked and support the client all through the process.

4. Local Connections: Besides assisting the clients and their families with settling into their new community, I also help them with professional connections. Drawing from my personal experience, I introduce clients to local corporate lawyers, accountants and bookkeepers, commercial insurance agents, business bankers, industry associations, suppliers, B2B partners, and many more.

5. Grand Opening: We need to ensure the client opens the business as soon as possible, as they have strict deadlines with immigration departments. I will get as involved in the process as the client wants or needs me to. With some clients, I only hold monthly meetings to make sure they are on track. With some others, I’m much more involved and might even be present in their important meetings (like with City Hall for zoning confirmation). Most of my clients start business operations and have their first sale in the first 6 months of their arrival in Canada.

6. Immigration Progress Reports: Last but definitely most important are the progress reports that need to be prepared for immigration purposes. From my experience, even if not required, submitting regular progress reports to provincial and federal immigration departments has a huge positive impact on the client’s application, as they proactively answer the officer’s questions regarding the business achievements. Even if you prefer to wait for the officer’s contact or deadlines to send the progress reports, I still make sure we are recording every tiny task done by the client and prepare the reports accordingly. The progress reports I prepare at the time of sending the “Business Opening Report” to the provincial government are usually around 100 pages, visually attractive, and filled with important, impressive details that show the client’s daily commitment to opening the business based on their business plan.