The Canada Start-Up Visa Explained for Entrepreneurs

What is the Canada Start-Up Visa?

The Canada Start-Up Visa, also known as the Canada Investor Visa or the Canadian SUV Program, is a unique Government of Canada program designed to attract innovative immigrant entrepreneurs from around the world to establish their start-up businesses. The government hopes that the program will provide significant economic benefit, create jobs with positions for technical staff, and drive economic growth.

Benefits of the Start-Up Visa

The Start-Up Visa program has streamlined processing, ensuring your application is handled promptly, giving you more time to focus on building your start-up business.
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent unmarried children under 22 will receive permanent residency status and be able to work and study in Canada. They’ll also have access to public healthcare.
You and your family can live anywhere in Canada (other than the province of Quebec). You will also have a 10-year membership of an angel group, which provides excellent networking opportunities and access to additional investments in start-up businesses.
This visa provides a direct path to permanent residence. Successful entrepreneur applicants and their family members become permanent residents, gaining access to social benefits and a high standard of living.
This visa doesn’t link your permanent residence status to the performance of your start-up business. Once you receive permanent residency, you’re free to pursue any entrepreneurial or professional opportunities within Canada.
As a permanent resident, you may qualify for Canadian citizenship after residing in Canada for three years. Canadian citizenship offers benefits, including the right to vote and unrestricted access to work and study.
Canadian citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to 187 countries.
An entrepreneurial team can immigrate together through the Start-Up Visa program as owners of a single business. The entrepreneurial team can include up to five people.

Canada Investor Visa Eligibility Requirements for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

The Canada Start-Up Visa eligibility requirements are: Having a qualifying business, getting a letter of support with a commitment certificate from a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator), meeting the language requirements, and bringing enough money to settle (there is no specified net worth requirement).

Have a qualifying business

In order to be deemed a qualifying business, your start-up must be innovative, scalable, and have the potential to create significant economic benefits for Canada. A panel of designated organizations will assess your business concept, viability, and growth prospects.

A “qualifying business” must fulfill the following criteria:

— When you get a commitment certificate from a designated organization:

Each applicant holds 10 percent or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to five people can apply as owners)
Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50 percent of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time

— When 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

Get a letter of support from a designated organization

Obtaining a letter of support (and an accompanying commitment certificate) from an Authorized Government Designated Organization (a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator) is an essential part of your application process. This letter, typically accompanied by a commitment certificate, demonstrates that your business idea has been endorsed and supported by a recognized entity in the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The minimum investment required depends on the type of designated organization that endorses your business idea.

Venture capital funds: You must get at least one designated venture capital fund to agree to invest a minimum of CAD 200,000 ($148,000) in your business.
Angel investor groups: You must get at least one designated angel investor group to agree to invest a minimum of CAD 75,000 ($55,000) in your business.
Business incubator: There are no minimum investment or funding requirements for a designated business incubator; the applicant’s ideas only need to get an endorsement by a designated incubator and be accepted into their business incubator program to proceed with investment visa applications.

Meet the language requirements

Proficiency in English or French is essential to succeed in Canada’s business environment. You will need to provide language test results from an approved testing agency to prove your language skills.

You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either language in all of these four areas: Speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

Bring enough money to settle

The Canadian government does not provide financial support to Canada investor visa applicants, so you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members before you arrive in the country.

This financial requirement ensures that you can settle comfortably and focus on growing your start-up.

The minimum amount necessary depends on the number of family members who are moving to Canada. If you move by yourself, you’ll need to demonstrate you have at least CAD$ 13,757 in your bank account.

This amount increases to CAD$ 17,127 for two people, CAD$ 21,055 for three, and so on.

Step-by-Step Guide

The step-by-step process of obtaining a Canada Start-Up Visa is:

1 – Develop the business concept and prepare your business plan: Refine your business idea and create a comprehensive, detailed business plan that showcases its potential.

2 – Obtain a letter of support from an authorized government designated organization: Connect with designated organizations and secure a supporting letter and a commitment certificate, demonstrating their belief in your start-up business.

3 – Prepare your file and application: Gather all the necessary documents and forms to prepare your application for submission.

4 – Submit an application for permanent residence: Submit your permanent residence application for the Start-Up Visa program through the Canadian immigration authorities. There is also an option to apply for special work permits at this stage.

5 – Attend the medical and security verification: Undergo medical examinations, security background checks, and biometrics appointments as part of the PR application process. If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to provide fingerprints and photos (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit.

6 – Receive Permanent Visa: Once your application is approved, you’ll be issued a Permanent Resident Visa.

Timeline

The SUV programme takes approximately 18 to 24 months to process, and the client and family receive PR upon arrival in Canada. However, for those wanting to arrive sooner, it is possible to apply for a work permit and relocate to Canada within approximately three to six months.

Temporary open work permit

While your application is being processed, you may be eligible for a temporary work permit. If you receive a work permit, you can come to Canada and work on your start-up while awaiting permanent residence. The work permit was originally valid for just one year, but Canadian immigration minister Sean Fraser announced in July 2023 that a three-year open work permit would be made available for each member of an entrepreneurial team.

Family eligibility

Your immediate family members, including your spouse or common-law partner and dependent unmarried children under the age of 22, can accompany you to Canada and also receive permanent resident status.

You can add your spouse as a dependant. Like you, they must be over 18 years of age, gain security clearance, and pass a medical examination. You can also include dependant, unmarried children under 22; they also need to gain security clearance and pass a medical exam.

Fees and costs

The application fees for the Start-Up Visa program you must pay can vary depending on your circumstances. The permanent residence application fee is CAD$ 2,140 for the main applicant, CAD$ 1,365 for your partner, and CAD$ 230 for each dependent child. The biometrics appointment costs CAD$ 85 for a single person or CAD$ 170 for a family of two or more people applying together.

Please note that there are additional costs for medical exams, language tests, authentication and translation of documents (when necessary), legal assistance, and so on.

Required documents

Detailed Resume (CV) of the candidate
Draft Business Proposal
Copy of Passport or Legal Travel Document
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate (if married)
Police Clearance Record from your country of origin and residence
Proof of Sufficient Funds: a recent Bank Statement covering at least six months
Bank Reference
Letter Language Test Results (IELTS CLB Level 5 or NCLC Level 5)
Medical Examination Confirmation from a certified health institution
Letter of Support from a designated entity

All documents must be legally translated to English or French and certified or apostilled from the corresponding country. This list isn’t exhaustive; the immigration office may request additional documents if necessary.

Canadian Permanent Residency and Citizenship

While Permanent Residency (PR) is provided from when the application is approved, it is necessary to reside in Canada for 730 days (two years) within a five-year period to maintain PR status.

Investors and their family members are eligible to apply for citizenship if they live in Canada, while holding PR status, for three out of the five years (1,095 days) preceding their citizenship application, have an adequate knowledge of English and/or French, and have no criminal record.

Taxes

Canadian residents are taxed at the federal and provincial levels on their worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed on Canadian-sourced income and on gains from the disposition of taxable Canadian property.

An individual is resident in Canada if he/she resides there or is ordinarily resident in Canada. A non-resident individual will be deemed to have been resident in Canada if he/she spends at least 183 days in Canada in a calendar year.

Provincial income tax rates are determined separately and added to federal rates. Capital gains taxes are levied, but at a reduction of 50 percent of capital gains, less allowable capital losses, and are included in the income being taxed at the individual’s applicable rate

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Canada Start-Up Visa application?

If you think the Canada Start-Up Visa program may be the right option for you and your family, don’t hesitate to contact us and book a complimentary 30-minute call with one of our experts.

Avoid the difficulties and pitfalls that foreign nationals and foreign investors encounter when applying for a Canadian Start-Up Visa. Have a Global Citizen Solutions expert on hand to provide personalized Canadian Visa assistance throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
Have someone who works solely on your behalf
Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

If you want to find out about other business immigration programs in Canada and how to obtain permanent residence, check the following articles:

Frequently Asked Questions About the Start-Up Visa Canada

Can I apply if I'm in Canada on another visa?

Yes, Canada immigration law allows you to apply for this startup visa while on another visa in Canada. You must have valid status as a visitor, worker, or student when applying. Meeting all the eligibility requirements, including obtaining a letter of support from a designated organization (a venture capital fund, an angel investor network, or a business incubator), is crucial for a successful application.

How long does it take to get the Canada Start-Up Visa?

The processing time for the Start-Up Visa Canada varies based on individual circumstances and the number of applications received. The SUV program takes approximately 18 to 24 months to process, and you and your family receive PR upon arrival in Canada.

If you want to arrive sooner, you can apply for a temporary work permit. This work permit allows you to move to Canada within three to six months and start working on your own startup while you wait for your permanent residence application to be processed.

Can I travel in and out of Canada on the Canada Start-Up Visa?

Yes, Canada immigration law allows you to travel in and out of the country with this visa. This is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can leave and re-enter as long as the visa is valid. Ensure you maintain compliance with the residency obligations of your permanent resident status once it’s granted.

Can I apply if I've previously been denied a visa?

If you’ve been previously denied a Canadian visa, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you from applying for the Start-Up Visa. Each application is assessed on its own merits, and previous visa refusals shouldn’t impact your eligibility, as long as you meet all the program requirements.

Who reviews Canada Start-Up Visa program applications?

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department, a Government of Canada department, reviews applications. The IRCC assesses the applicant’s eligibility, the business concept and detailed business plan, and the designated organization’s letter of support and commitment certificate to decide whether to grant permanent residence.

A peer review panel may be asked to assess an application to ensure it meets industry standards. If, for example, the application involved an angel investor group, the National Angel Capital Organization would perform the review. Meanwhile, if the application involved a venture capital group, the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association would perform the review.

The peer review would include investigating whether the appropriate level of due diligence has been performed, as well as determining whether the investment and the services to be provided meet industry standards.

Is there a language test for a Canada Startup Visa?

Yes, to apply for this visa, foreign nationals must meet the language requirements in either English or French. You’ll need to take a language proficiency test approved by the Canadian government to demonstrate your language skills. You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

How can foreign entrepreneurs apply for the Canada Start-Up Visa Program?

The eligibility requirements for immigrant entrepreneurs who plan to obtain permanent resident status by setting up a start-up venture are: Having a qualifying startup business, and being supported by one of the designated organizations defined by the Canadian government.

You’ll need to secure support from either angel investor groups (minimum investment of CAD 75,000) or a venture capital fund (minimum of CAD 200,000), or you’ll need to be part of a Canadian business incubator program to demonstrate your startup is an innovative business venture that will contribute to the economic growth of the country.

Once you are in Canada with permanent residence, you must provide active and ongoing management of the business.

How do I obtain a work permit under the Canada Startup Visa Program?

To obtain a work permit, you must be accepted into the Startup Visa Program. Once accepted, you can apply for a work permit (to work on your own startup business) through the regular immigration channels, which include online applications or applying at a Canadian visa office in your home country.

How long is the Canada Start-Up Visa optional work permit valid for?

The work permit was originally valid for just one year, but Canadian immigration minister Sean Fraser announced in July 2023 that a three-year open work permit would be made available for each member of an entrepreneurial team. The open permit will allow you to work on your business while waiting for your Start-Up Visa application to be processed.

Should you need to extend your permit, go through the regular work permit extension process.

What is the Canada Start-Up Visa program?

The Canada Startup Visa program is designed to allow innovative entrepreneurs the opportunity to run a company in Canada, and grants them an investment visa, provided their startup is a qualifying business.

Those innovative entrepreneurs can apply for permanent residence in Canada.