Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is an immigration pathway designed for entrepreneurs from outside Canada who have innovative and scalable business ideas. The program offers a route to permanent residence, provided that specific eligibility requirements are met.
Process Steps:
- Develop an innovative business idea that demonstrates long-term potential and market viability.
- Secure support from a designated organization—either a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator:
- Venture capital fund: must receive a minimum qualifying investment.
- Angel investor group: must receive a minimum qualifying investment.
- Business incubator: must be accepted into an approved incubation program.
- Obtain a Letter of Support from the designated organization. A corresponding Commitment Certificate will also be sent directly to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
- Take an approved language test (English or French) and achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 in all four skills.
- Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your dependents upon arrival in Canada.
- Submit your permanent residence application through the online PR Portal.
- Apply for a temporary work permit (if eligible) to begin developing your business in Canada while your permanent residence application is being processed.
