Pakistani entrepreneurs are among the top beneficiaries of the Start-up Visa (SUV) program. Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan offers unique opportunities for foreign nationals to create their own business and gain permanent residency in Canada.
With established Pakistani communities in cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Mississauga, what’s not to like? Immigrant entrepreneurs enjoy access to one of the world’s most stable economies and a growing start-up ecosystem.
In this guide, you can learn about:
What is the Canada Startup Visa for Pakistani citizens?
The Start-up Visa Program (SUV), also known as an entrepreneur or innovator visa, is a residency by investment program designed to bring talent, innovation, and investment from around the world, including Pakistan.
Immigrant entrepreneurs can use the Canada SUV program to build a scalable and innovative business. Pakistani citizens need either an existing startup or a startup concept. There is no minimum investment requirement.
Pakistanis must pitch their innovative business idea to a designated organization (i.e., angel investor groups, venture capital funds, or business incubators). Successful applicants receive backing, usually in the form of monetary compensation, and obtain a letter of support.
Benefits of the Start-up Visa Program
The Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan offers many advantages to primary applicants and their dependent family members. These include:
- Residency and family inclusion
- Economic stability
- Ease of doing business
- Huge potential target audience
- More employment opportunities
- Long-term growth
- Networking options
- Universal healthcare system
- Path to Canadian citizenship
According to our Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report at Global Citizen Solutions, Canada ranks highest for quality of life, with superior investment opportunities. The country’s pioneering hybrid schemes blend traditional investment pathways with startup and innovation, creating a favorable economic environment.
Take a look at our guide on everything a Canada Startup Visa has to offer.
Eligibility Criteria for Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan
Immigrant entrepreneurs from Pakistan can apply on their own or as part of a group of up to five business owners. Either way, they must meet the following requirements for the Canada SUV program.
Have a qualifying business
Each applicant must own at least 10 percent of the voting shares in the business. Together with the designated organization, they must control more than 50 percent of the company’s voting rights. The business venture must be scalable, innovative, create jobs, and have what it takes to succeed in the global market.
Get a commitment certificate from a designated organization
The Start-up Visa program relies on three designated organizations: venture capital funds, business incubators, and angel investor groups. You must pitch your business idea to one of them and prove it has the potential to create jobs and boost economic growth.
If approved, you get a letter of support or commitment certificate indicating that a designated organization is genuinely interested in your idea and invests in your business venture. The designated organization often requires a small equity stake in return for that investment.
Know the language
To be eligible for the Canada Startup Visa, Pakistani citizens must meet the minimum language requirements. You must pass a language test, indicating a Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in reading, listening, writing, and speaking English or French.
Bring sufficient funds
The Start-up Visa program requires sufficient settlement funds based on the number of family members joining you. As of 2024, you must bring $14,690 as a single applicant, and up to $27,297 for a family of four. The table below offers a detailed guideline in Canadian dollars.
Number of family members | Fund requirements (in Canadian dollars) |
1 | $14,690 |
2 | $18,288 |
3 | $22,483 |
4 | $27,297 |
5 | $30,690 |
6 | $34,917 |
7 | $38,875 |
If there are more than seven people in a family, add | $3,958 |
Investment Details
The Canada Start-up Visa does not require a minimum investment amount. Instead, Pakistani citizens need a commitment certificate from at least one designated organization listed on the official Canadian government website.
Choosing the right type of designated organization to approach the Start-Up Visa program depends on what your startup needs. If you are looking for resources, mentorship, and support rather than direct capital, then a business incubator program can be a good choice.
But, if your start-up business needs a significant investment, you can shift your strategy towards:
- Venture capital funds for a minimum investment of $200,000.
- Angel investor groups for a minimum investment of $75,000.
Canada Startup Visa Application Process for Pakistan Residents
To apply for the Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan, you will need:
- Internal due diligence process (i.e., market research, team assessment, financial projections, etc).
- Prepare a comprehensive business plan for a designated organization.
- Obtain a letter of support or commitment certificate.
- Collect the necessary documents and apply online.
- Pay the application fees.
- Book a biometrics appointment and pay the biometrics fees.
- Have a medical exam.
- Provide police records with a clean criminal history.
- Apply for an optional work permit while you wait for processing.
- Receive a permanent residency card.
Documents Needed for Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan
The Canadian Startup Visa program requires the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Form for permanent residence in Canada (IMM 0008)
- Form for personal background (IMM 5669)
- Form for family information (IMM 5406)
- Form for your travel history (IMM 5562)
- Form for the qualifying business (IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 13)
- Other supporting documents (such as police certificate, birth certificate, passport-style photos, etc)
Processing Time for Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan
The average processing time for the Start-up Visa is about 40 months. There’s an annual cap in place until 31 December 2026. Each designated organization can only support a maximum of ten group applications per year. Start-up Visa applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
So, what does that mean for you? If you submit your application after a designated organization has already hit its yearly limit, Canada will return it and refund your processing fees. So, you must submit a thorough application with viable business operations.
A Start-up Visa lawyer can build your case and boost your chances of success. Lawyers can guide you every step of the way, sort out all immigration issues for a work permit, permanent resident status, and protect your future.
Step-by-Step Guide to Canada Startup Visa for Pakistanis
To apply for the Start-up Visa program as a Pakistani citizen, follow the steps below:
- Develop a business concept. The Canadian Startup Visa program requires a business venture that is scalable, innovative, and can handle the competition.
- Prove language proficiency. Pakistani applicants must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark 5 to incorporate their start-up in Canada.
- Get a commitment certificate. Successful applicants receive backing for their business proposal from a designated venture capital fund, business incubator, or venture capital fund.
- Have enough settlement funds. You must be able to support yourself, your family, and your business venture to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
- Prepare your application package. Collect the documents, forms, provide biometrics, or other supportive documents when submitting your application.
- Apply for a work permit (optional). If you want to arrive in Canada sooner and set up a business while you wait for your permanent residence applications, you can apply for a temporary open work permit.
- Obtain permanent residency. If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
- Incorporate your startup in Canada. Provide active and ongoing management for qualifying businesses from inside Canada. Offer quarterly reports to the designated organization backing your business venture.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
- We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance.
- Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
- Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
- Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
- The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Startup Visa from Pakistan
Is the Canada Startup Visa open to Pakistani entrepreneurs in 2025?
Yes, the Canada Start-up Visa is available to Pakistani citizens. The Canadian government allows any nationality to apply, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria, have an innovative business idea, a commitment certificate, sufficient settlement funds, and adequate language proficiency.
How can a Pakistani startup get a letter of support for the Canada Startup Visa?
To convince a designated organization to support your startup, pitch a compelling business idea that can benefit the Canadian economy. The business concept should provide a detailed market analysis, an operations plan, an efficient sales strategy, and create jobs. Design accurate financial projections on how your product or service will sell.
What type of businesses from Pakistan qualify for the Canada Startup Visa?
A qualified business is scalable and can employ Canadian citizens and compete in the global market. As of 2024, the Canada Start-up Visa offers priority processing for startups in the technology and innovation sector endorsed by a business incubator. It’s best to keep up with the latest changes to the Canada Startup Visa to make the most of this economic incentive.
Can Pakistani freelancers or solopreneurs apply for the Canada Startup Visa?
Yes, individual applicants are allowed to apply for the Canadian Startup Visa program. You can be the sole applicant as long as your solo business venture is worth supporting. You must convince one of the designated organizations to back your startup and provide active and ongoing management from Canada after you receive your permanent residence status.
How long does it take for a Pakistani applicant to get permanent residency via the Startup Visa?
You apply for permanent residence status after you receive a letter of support from a designated organization. The letter of support can take anywhere from six to ten months, and a permanent resident application for about 40 months. Dependent family members also receive permanent residence status. To keep your permanent residence, you must be in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years and provide active business management.
