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Federal Start-up Visa Program

Discover how to immigrate to Canada by starting a business and creating jobs, or support innovative entrepreneurs.
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The Start-Up Visa program is unique to Canada and has been implemented to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to come to Canada, create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. A program such as the Start-Up Visa expects a limited number of applicants due to its narrow focus, but the focus is on quality rather than quantity and achieving a track record of success.

Application Requirements

Have a Qualifying Business

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)
      AND
    • 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 and Commitment Certificate

Applicants must have received a letter of support from a designated investor organization. In order to receive a letter of support, the applicant must convince a designated venture capital fund or angel investor group to invest in their proposed business.  The investor organization will also have to provide a Commitment Certificate directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, summarizing the details of the commitment made with the applicant.

Investment Requirement
Applicants must secure an investment of at least $200,000 CAD if the investment is from a designated venture capital fund; or conversely, secure a minimum of $75,000 CAD if the investment is from a designated angel investor group. Applicants are not required to invest any of their own money for this Canadian immigration program.
Language Requirement
The applicant must be able to communicate and work in English and/or French. Applicants must provide language test results from an approved agency, and must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 in either English or French.
Education Requirement

The applicant must have completed at least one year of study at a post-secondary institution. The applicant must also be able to provide proof that they were in good standing for at least one year while attending a post-secondary institution. Applicants can provide transcripts, a letter of good standing, certificates, diplomas or degrees as proof for this requirement.

Security and Medical Clearances
As with all Canadian immigration programs, the applicant and accompanying family members must undergo a security clearance and a medical examination to determine whether they pose a security threat or have a health condition that would place an excessive burden on the Canadian health care system.
Important to know: While your application for permanent residence is being processed, you can apply for a temporary work permit to get to Canada and start building your business.

Start-up Visa Application Fees:

Fees

$CAN

Your application

Processing fee ($1625) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)

2,140
Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)
1,625

Include your spouse or partner

Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)

1,365

Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)

850

Include a dependent child

230(per child)

  • Your application
  • Processing fee ($1625) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
  • Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)
  • Include your spouse or partner
  • Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
  • Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)
  • Include a dependent child
  • 2,140
  • 1,625
  • 1,365
  • 850
  • 230(per child)

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Federal Start-up Visa Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows entrepreneurs from around the world to apply for permanent residency by starting an innovative business in Canada.

Designated organizations include angel investor groups, venture capital funds, and business incubators that are approved by the Canadian government to support Start-up Visa applicants.

Yes, successful applicants and their immediate family members are granted permanent residency in Canada.

Yes, applicants can apply for a temporary work permit to come to Canada and work on their business while the permanent residence application is being processed.

Technically not, but the immigration level targets under this program are currently set at 3,500 spots for  2023, 5,000 in 2024 and 6,000 in 2025.