A Canadian Express Entry applicant who co‑owns a foreign business must gather personal identification, proof of language ability, education credentials, detailed business ownership documents, financial statements, and supporting evidence of ties to Canada, all of which MyVisaAI can help organize and auto‑fill. This concise checklist answers the core question in under 60 words, providing a quick reference for global professionals seeking permanent residence.
When you begin the Express Entry profile, the first set of documents mirrors that of any applicant: a valid passport, a recent language test result (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF), and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an IRCC‑approved agency. These items establish your basic eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class streams and are required before any business‑related paperwork is considered.
Next, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have the financial resources to support yourself and any dependents after landing. A recent bank statement showing the required settlement funds (approximately $13,000 for a single applicant, higher for families) must be uploaded. If you have a co‑owned business abroad, you may also submit a letter from your bank confirming the liquidity of assets held in the foreign company, provided the funds are readily transferable to Canada.
The heart of the “co‑owner business abroad” requirement is proof of ownership and operational status. Gather the following: a certified copy of the foreign company’s registration (e.g., Companies House, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, or equivalent), a shareholder register or partnership agreement listing you and any co‑owners, and a notarized declaration of your percentage of ownership. MyVisaAI’s intelligent PDF form assistance can auto‑populate these details into the IRCC supplemental forms, reducing manual errors.
Financial statements are essential to show that the business is viable and that you are not relying on the company for Canadian settlement funds. Provide audited or CPA‑certified balance sheets and income statements for the most recent fiscal year, along with a tax return filing summary from the country of incorporation. If the business is newly established, include a detailed business plan outlining projected revenues and cash flow for the next 12 months.
To satisfy the “proof of work experience” component of Express Entry, you must supply employment letters or contracts that confirm your role, duties, and full‑time status within the foreign company. The letter should be on official letterhead, signed by an authorized officer, and include dates of employment, salary, and a description of the business activities. MyVisaAI can generate a template that meets IRCC’s formatting guidelines, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions.
If you are applying under the Federal Skilled Worker stream, you will also need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)‑exempt offer of employment or a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Even if you do not have a Canadian job yet, you can still submit a “self‑employment” justification, which requires a detailed business plan for a future Canadian venture, market analysis, and evidence of relevant experience. This ties back to your foreign co‑ownership and demonstrates entrepreneurial intent.
Supporting documents for dependents follow the same logic: each spouse or common‑law partner must provide their own passport, language test (if applicable), and education credentials. Children need birth certificates, proof of relationship, and, if over 18, proof of language ability. MyVisaAI’s checklist feature automatically flags any missing items for each family member, keeping the application complete before submission.
Don’t forget the mandatory police certificates and medical exams. Police clearances must be obtained from every country where you have lived for six months or more in the past ten years, including the country of your foreign business. The medical exam must be performed by an IRCC‑approved panel physician; the results are uploaded directly to your online profile. MyVisaAI links you to the nearest accredited clinics worldwide, simplifying scheduling across time zones.
Finally, compile the fee breakdown and processing timeline estimates. Express Entry charges include the $550 principal applicant fee, $165 for a spouse or common‑law partner, and $85 per dependent child, plus the biometrics fee of $85 per person. MyVisaAI provides a transparent fee calculator and a projected timeline based on current processing speeds for each visa category, helping you plan your move with confidence.
For deeper guidance on creating supporting documentation for a UK Global Talent visa, see our related post on How can I prepare a sponsorship letter for a UK Global Talent visa using an automated template. Likewise, learn how an AI visa assistant can estimate processing times for skilled worker visas in the UK here: How to use an AI visa assistant to estimate total processing times for UK Skilled Worker visas.
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