The relationship between Norway and Canada dates back to about 1000 years ago when the Norwegian polar explorers came to Canada. Since then, there has been great collaboration and cooperation between the two countries, strengthening cultural ties.
Among the numerous foreigners in Canada, who have found themselves a home is the Norwegians. This is because of the domestic similarities and the Canadian-Norwegian relationship. Canada has been in partnership with Norway to boost its oil and gas, maritime, energy, technology, and entrepreneurship sectors.
Speaking of entrepreneurship, most Norwegians prefer to start their businesses as entrepreneurs. They are constantly in search of a target audience that is likely to increase their sales and patronage. This search doesn’t just stop at the borders of Norway, it extends to some foreign countries such as Canada.
In Canada, Norwegian entrepreneurs seek not only for connection with their potential customers but also an immigration status to build their businesses on a global scale. However, some Canadian business immigration opportunities strengthen the national ties of both countries. It begins with the popularly known Start-up Visa program to the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and work permits amongst others.
This article will explore the Canadian business immigration opportunities for Norwegian entrepreneurs and key sectors that have promising ventures for you as an immigrant entrepreneur.
Business Immigration Opportunities for Norwegian Entrepreneurs
Rather than sitting on the fence, as a Norwegian entrepreneur, you can use any of these immigration opportunities in Canada. They include:
1. Start-Up Visa Programs
This immigration option can offer Norwegian entrepreneurs entry into Canada on the basis that their skills and business ideas can help improve the Canadian job market, that is, provide employment for Canadians and help the economy compete on a global level. The start-up visa accepts applications as a single entrepreneur or a group of about five entrepreneurs.
For your application, you should be sure of your eligibility of your startup to qualify for the program. Language requirements, letter of support are also a part of it, and your proof of funds. These requirements are placed reason being that you can kick off from where you stopped in your home country even in a Canadian environment.
Here’s how to know if your start-up is eligible for the program;
- As an entrepreneur, you should hold at least 10% voting rights (that is the right of a business owner to vote within a company.
- Regarding the group application, all the entrepreneurs and the designated organization have to hold above 50% of the total voting rights.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
You can also use the PNPs pathway to immigrate to Canada as a Norwegian business owner. This route would take you to a specific province that you applied for. Each of Canada’s provinces has its own local economic needs and interests. The success of your application would based on the province’s unique standards for satisfying those needs and meeting those interests.
They focus mostly on human capital and business sectors so as an entrepreneur from Norway, you could give this a try. Using this Canadian business immigration pathway can also be your way of obtaining permanent residency as the province that accepts your application can nominate you to the federal government on outlined rules.
Note that as a beneficiary of the Norwegian-Canadian relationship, you’re not limited to a particular province. It is possible to send an entry to more than one province after you have assessed how much each province aligns with what your start-up can offer.
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3. The C-11 Entrepreneur Work Permit
If you are a Norwegian who has a business idea that can positively impact the economy, then this Canadian business immigration program is for you. The C-11 entrepreneurship work permit enables businessmen who desire to establish or buy a business in Canada. The top criterion for this program is a sellable business idea.
You wouldn’t need any letter of support, or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which is often required during immigration. Moreover, there are some criteria which are to own about 50% of the business you’ve established or purchased in Canada and have a good financial capacity and business experience/ability.
4. C-12 Intra-Company Transferees Work Permit
Say, for example, the company you work for in Norway has an affiliate or a subsidiary in Canada and you’re one of their key employees or a reputable shareholder, then this Canadian business immigration program is a sure pass for you.
Just like the C-11 entrepreneur work permit, this program needs no LMIA. It processes applications between 3-6 months after submission. Your company must be able to sponsor your work operations in Canada and have legal approval to operate. Note that you must occupy the same position or similar to the one you occupied in Norway.
Key Promising Sectors for Norwegian Entrepreneurs in Canada
- Research: Canada uses a lot of research in almost every sector to stay ahead of innovations and maintain its globally recognized status. As a Norwegian business owner looking to immigrate, this can be a productive sector for you.
- Oil and Gas: This sector generates so much economic activity in Canada. Its onshore and offshore operations have provided numerous employments to immigrants and Norwegians aren’t excluded.
- Aquaculture: Given the large seas present in Canada, the fish farming business happens to be the next big thing after oil and gas. It is both easy to set up and operate. Entrepreneurs can pitch a good business idea in this sector and find their way to Canada.
- Technology: The world is becoming more digitalized. Having digital skills and experience would place you as a valuable asset in any Canadian business immigration program.
Conclusion
It is valid to say that the ease of Canadian immigration for Norwegian business owners and entrepreneurs would cause a great development in Canada’s economy. Given the history of the Norwegian-Canadian relationship, collaboration between the two parties would be seamless and effective. Entrepreneurs from both countries can cause a ripple effect on the already thriving business environment in Canada. So if you are a Norwegian, don’t delay, hop onto the train of Canada’s immigration and let your business make an impact.
