Start-Up Visa
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada. Start up visa is our speciality.
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, the applicant must:
- Have a qualifying business
- Get a letter of support from a designated organization (Venture capital funds, Angel investor groups & Business incubators)
- Meet the language requirements
- Bring enough money to settle
- Pass Canadian security and medical clearances
- Plan to settle in a province other than the Province of Quebec
Business requirements
A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions:
- At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization. Each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners)
- Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time.
- At the time you receive your permanent residence:
- You provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
- An essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
- This business is incorporated in Canada
Letter of support
The applicant must get a letter of support from a designated organization. Designated organizations are business groups (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubator organizations) that are approved to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program. Successful applicants are required to secure a minimum investment for their Canadian start-up.
Language
The applicant must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all four areas (speaking, reading, listening & writing).
Settlement funds
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants. An applicant is required to give proof that he/she has the sufficient money to support themselves and dependents after their arrival in Canada.