The Canada Start-Up Visa program is designed to attract foreign nationals worldwide to establish their businesses in Canada. It connects entrepreneurs with Canadian investors and offers a pathway to permanent residency. Applying for the visa can be challenging, so hiring a Canada Startup Visa lawyer can be a valuable asset.
At Global Citizen Solutions, we have immigration consultants and lawyers who specialize in the Canada Start-up Visa Program. They can help you with various aspects of the application process, from applying for Canadian permanent residence status to document review and guidance. In this guide, we will show you the ways a lawyer creates a compelling case that meets the requirements and the associated fees that come with it.
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How does the Canada Start-up Visa program work?
The Canada Start-up Visa program allows foreign entrepreneurs to immigrate by starting a business in Canada. Immigrant entrepreneurs who want to settle in Canada through the Start-up Visa program must first obtain backing from a designated organization set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government body that oversees and processes all immigration applications.
The start-up business must get support from one of the following designated organizations:
- Venture capital fund
- Angel investor group
- Canadian business incubator program
The Canadian Startup Visa program (SUV Program) should promote economic growth and provide or preserve jobs for Canadian workers. Applicants must have a qualifying business, meet language proficiency standards, and have sufficient settlement funds.
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Start-up Visa: Quick Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria
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– Qualifying business
– Backing from a designated organization
– Language proficiency (CLB 5 in English or French)
– Settlement funds
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Designated Organizations
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– Venture capital funds (min. $200,000 investment)
– Angel investor groups (min. $75,000 investment)
– Business incubators (a letter of invitation)
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Qualifying Business
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– Each applicant holds 10 percent or more voting rights
– Designated organization and applicants hold 50 percent or more voting rights
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Processing Time
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Up 52 months
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Advantages and Disadvantages of the Canada Start-Up-Visa Program
Pros of the Canada Start-Up-Visa Program
- Direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence and eventual citizenship for entrepreneurs and their families.
- Attracts innovative business ideas that create jobs and drive economic growth.
- Start-up support from designated organizations through mentorship and guidance.
- Family inclusion for spouses and dependent children under 22.
- Access to a high quality of life, including strong education and healthcare systems.
Cons of the Canada Start-Up-Visa Program
- There is high competition, with only ten complete group applications per designated organization accepted per calendar year.
- It can be challenging to secure funding from designated organizations or investors without the help of immigration specialists.
- You may encounter long processing times: Currently, waiting times average 52 months due to backlogs.
Why work with a Canada Start-up Visa lawyer?
An immigration lawyer specializing in the Canada Startup Visa program can be a valuable asset for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in Canada. A Canadian immigration law firm provides expert legal guidance through the application process, which can become complex. They can also help secure necessary funding and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and requirements.
Applicants who enlist the help of legal consultants can:
- Navigate the complexities of the Canadian immigration system more easily
- Significantly increase the chances of a successful application
- Can benefit from tailored strategic advice based on the specific circumstances of the business and the entrepreneur
- Save time and avoid costly mistakes by ensuring the application is complete and accurate
At Global Citizen Solutions, our consultants and immigration attorneys will assist you through the visa application for your business activities. They can assess your eligibility, compile the necessary paperwork, and make sense of all the hoops you have to navigate for permanent residence.
Our team is widely recognized for working with corporate and individual clients to create efficient applications with proper documentation based on their immigration needs.
What can a Canada Start-up Visa lawyer do?
The purpose of a Canada Start-up Visa lawyer is to determine whether you are a good fit for the visa program and provide ongoing legal assistance and support throughout the application process. The services of a Canada Start-up Visa lawyer typically include:
- Eligibility assessments: A lawyer can help determine if the entrepreneur and their business meet the requirements for the Startup Visa program.
- Business plan development: A lawyer can help entrepreneurs create a compelling business plan that aligns with the program’s requirements and attracts designated organizations.
- Funding application support: A lawyer may help secure the necessary support from designated organizations, which is crucial for the Startup Visa application.
- Application preparation and submission: A lawyer will help prepare and submit all necessary documents for the immigration application.
- Communication with IRCC: A lawyer can act as a liaison with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) throughout the application process.
- Work permit assistance: A lawyer can help secure work permits so that the entrepreneur can begin operations in Canada while waiting for permanent residency status.
- Permanent residency application: Lawyers will provide ongoing support for the application process.
- Applications for dependents: If the entrepreneur is bringing a spouse, partner, or dependent children, a lawyer can help prepare their applications.
- Lawyer-assisted incorporation: Lawyers can help incorporate a business in Canada, handling all the legal paperwork, such as bylaws, share structures, and official registrations.
- Appealing a refusal: If an application is refused, lawyers can help challenge the decision.
- Litigation expertise: In complex cases, lawyers may use litigation to challenge unfair decisions or long delays.
What to expect from a Start-up Visa Canada lawyer?
When deciding on which Canada startup visa consultants to work with, it is important to do your research and ensure that they have the expertise you need for success. Here are a couple of questions to ask your lawyer before hiring them for the Startup Visa:
- How many years of experience do you have working with business immigration programs?
- Can you give me some references for those who have raised funds from venture capital firms or angel investors?
- What are my odds of securing a commitment certificate?
- Do you understand my business venture and the industry I’m trying to target? Do you think it’s a good fit?
- Do you have flat fees, hourly rates, or any package deals?
- How do I minimize the risk of failure on the Startup Visa?
- Can you help me petition for accompanying family members?
Startup Visa Lawyer Fees and Costs
The fees for a Startup Visa lawyer typically range from CAD$ 10,000 to 25,000 or over, reflecting the need for detailed business plans and legal expertise. It’s important to note that government fees, such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) application processing fees, are separate from immigration lawyer fees. Additionally, the location of immigration lawyers can influence costs, with practitioners in major cities like Toronto or Vancouver often charging higher rates.
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Fee type
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Circumstances
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Costs (in Canadian dollars)
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Legal services
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Based on location, complexity, and business needs
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$10,000 – 25,000+
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Application fee
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Includes processing fee ($1,810) and right of PR fee ($575)
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$2,385
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Application fee
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Without right of PR fee
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$1,810
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Application fee for spouse or partner
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Includes processing fee ($950) and right of PR fee ($575)
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$1,525
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Application fee per child
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Includes only dependent children
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$260
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Biometrics fee
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Per person
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$85
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Biometrics fee
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Per family of two or over
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$170
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Note: There are additional costs for medical exams, language tests, authentication and translation of documents (when necessary), and legal assistance.
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.
