There is a special type of work permit for business owners who are looking establish their business in Canada or purchasing an existing one called the Owner/Operator work permit.

This category of work permit allows business owners to apply for an advertising-exempt Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The purpose of the LMIA is to prove that the employer was unable to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and therefore had to hire a foreign worker, which is done by advertising the position. The process entails advertising the role on three (3) different channels, interviewing candidates, and ensuring that recruitment effort took place and many Canadians were considered before they looked to foreign nationals.