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Start-up Visa
Immigrate to Canada by starting a business and creating jobs, or support innovative entrepreneurs.
What is Start up?
The Start-up Canada Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to start a business in Canada that are:
- Innovative
- Can create jobs for Canadians
- Can compete on a global scale
If you have an innovative business idea and you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
Have a qualified business
Receive a letter of support from a designated organization
Meet English or French language requirements
Have enough money to establish in Canada.
Have a qualified business
Eligible business means that you have created a business that meets the following requirements.
At the time of receiving the commitment from a designated organization:
Each applicant has 10% or more of the voting rights related to all the shares of the company at that time (up to 5 people can apply as the owner)
Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights to all of the company’s stock available at the time.
When receiving permanent residence:
You provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
A major part of business operations takes place in Canada
This business is registered in Canada
Receive a letter of support from a designated organization
Designated organization
To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, your business idea or venture must get the support of one or more of the designated organizations listed below:
Venture capital funds
Angel investor groups
Business incubators
You should receive a letter of support from a designated organization (a business group approved to invest in or support potential start-ups).
You need:
Contact the designated organization for information on how to receive support
Convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting
Receive a letter of support from the designated organization
The process of presenting your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or a detailed business plan.
If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a support letter. You must bring this letter with you when you submit your application to the Immigration Office. This is the evidence you need to show that the designated organization supports your business idea,
The organization also sends the certificate of commitment directly to the Immigration Office. The Immigration Office will use your letter of support and the organization’s commitment certificate to evaluate your application. Please note, you may be asked to provide more business information to make the final decision on your application.
Your request will be denied if you do not provide a letter of support or do not meet any of the other requirements.
While your application for permanent residence is being processed, you can apply for a temporary work permit to go to Canada and start your own business.
You need to have enough money to start living because the Canadian government does not support start up visa immigrants financially.
When you apply, you must provide proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependents once you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from someone else. The amount you need depends on the number of your family.
Application Fees
Application Type | Fee ( Canadian Dollars) |
Main Applicant Processing fee ($1575) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | 2075 |
Spouse or partner Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | 1325 |
Dependent child | 225 |
Biometrics – per person | 85 |
Biometrics – per group (2 or more) | 170 |