Patricia Casaburi
For foreign entrepreneurs with a business idea and a commitment certificate, the Canada Start-up Visa official website is a verified source of legitimate information about the country’s investment opportunities.
Hosted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the program aims to attract immigrant entrepreneurs with the potential to boost job creation and economic growth. This guide focuses on how to use the platform for Canadian immigration and secure permanent residency.
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Does Canada offer a Start-up Visa?
Yes, the Canadian Startup Visa program (SUV Program) is an immigration pathway that provides permanent residency for international entrepreneurs. Successful applicants with a scalable business plan can create jobs and promote economic growth.
The innovative business must receive backing from designated organization types (i.e., venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator), and successful applicants must actively manage the qualifying business.
Canada Startup Visa: Official Program
The Canada Startup Visa (SUV Program) is designed to bring significant economic benefits. Foreign nationals pitch their business plan to a designated organization and receive backing, alongside a commitment certificate, to pursue business opportunities across the Canadian market.
The Canada Startup Visa grants a permanent residence status for successful applicants with a qualifying business and English or French language proficiency based on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 5). Immigrant entrepreneurs with permanent residency can sponsor family members for Canadian immigration.
Is there an official Canada Startup-Visa website
Canada Startup Visa official website is canada.ca, which provides detailed information on designated organizations, eligibility requirements, the minimum amount of capital investment, and further details for foreigners who plan to actively manage the qualifying business.
The Start-up Visa Program is designed for entrepreneurs aiming to establish a business in Canada and eventually obtain Canadian citizenship, often through naturalization. While there is no specific age limit for applicants, all must meet certain requirements, including securing a commitment certificate from a designated organization, demonstrating language proficiency, and showing proof of settlement funds.
Applicants can submit a temporary work permit application. The open work permit allows applicants to work in Canada while their permanent residence application is processed. For further details and to submit a complete application, a Canada Startup Visa lawyer can guide you through the application process. They can help you with application forms and documents, and provide receipts.
Canada Start-up Visa Requirements and Costs
To be a good fit, applicants must boost economic growth, create jobs, and meet certain requirements:
- Qualifying business: Each applicant must hold at least 10 percent of the voting rights in the business venture and provide ongoing management. Together with the designated entity, they must control over 50 percent of the voting rights.
- Letter of support: The minimum investment thresholds in the business venture vary based on the designated entity that backs it. A Canadian application requires a letter of support from venture capital firms (at least $200,000), an angel investor group (at least $75,000), or a business incubator (no minimum investment required, just acceptance into the designated organization).
- Sufficient settlement funds: Other than active and ongoing management for the business venture, the main applicant must bring enough money to support themselves and dependent family members.
The Canadian application for the Start-up Visa comes with application fees, like a processing fee ($1,810) and a right of permanent residence fee ($575). Successful applicants pay $1,525 for spousal sponsorship and $260 per dependent child.
How to verify legitimate Start-up Visa programs?
The steps to verify the legitimacy of the Start-up Visa (SUV Program) include:
- Check the official government website for the program, such as canada.ca for the Canada Startup Visa.
- Look for laws and regulations regarding Canadian immigration, such as the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
- Source a list of licensed agents approved by the Government of Canada to help with the application process.
- Contact Canadian immigration officers offering the program directly for full details about the proposed business idea.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Startup Visa Official Website
What is the official website for the Canada Startup Visa program?
The official website for the Canada Start-up Visa (SUV Program) is canada.ca. This is an online government resource that can provide information on the application process, designated organizations, business plan requirements, and significant capital investment.
How do I apply for the Canada Startup Visa through the official portal?
To apply for the Start-up Visa (SUV Program), you must create an account and sign in on the official website through the online platform Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. The application for the Start-up Visa is called “Start-Up Business Class.”
What documents are listed on the official Canada Startup Visa website?
The Start-up Visa website lists several documents, including a letter of support from a designated organization, proof of settlement funds, and a business plan. Other supporting documents include language proficiency test results and evidence of the business venture operations.
Can I check my Canada Startup Visa application status online?
Yes, the official website for the Canada Startup Visa has an online status tracker that can help you check the status of your existing application. The IRCC provides status updates and will send you messages about your application. The updates will appear after you receive the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) email or letter.
Are there official forms available on the Canada Startup Visa website?
Yes, official forms for the Canada Startup Visa application are available on the canada.ca website. You can complete these forms online via the Permanent Residence Portal:
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
- Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)
What are the eligibility requirements listed on the Canada Startup Visa official site?
The Canadian Startup Visa program requires foreign nationals who want to become permanent residents through business operations in a startup business. To complete the application, foreigners often create a new innovative business rather than investing in an existing business. They usually receive a significant investment from a designated organization. The minimum amount in Canadian dollars varies based on the designated organization.
Does the official site explain the investment requirements for the Canada Startup Visa?
Yes, successful applicants must receive at least $75,000 from angel investors or $200,000 from venture capital funds. The IRCC has introduced an annual cap per designated organization (10 group applications/year until Dec 31 2026) and Priority processing for supported applications, especially in new technologies. Processing backlog reduction measures are already in effect. To learn more, check out our guide on Canada Startup Visa changes.
Is there a contact or support section on the Canada Startup Visa official portal?
Yes, the official website for Canadian immigration, canada.ca, provides contact and support resources you can access through the “Contact us” section. They have a client support center and a section to check your application status. You can view pre-recorded information about the Start-up Visa or use a web form.
How to become a Canadian citizen through investment?
Canadian citizenship can’t be obtained directly through investment. Instead, foreign nationals must first become permanent residents through business immigration programs. They can then invest in opening a Canada-based business and meet their own criteria for Canadian citizenship, usually through the process of naturalization.
