Start-Up Visa

Overview

Canada's Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program targets foreign entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs for Canadians and compete globally. It offers a direct pathway to permanent residence, differentiating it from many other business immigration programs that may first require a temporary work permit.

How it works

The program requires applicants to secure a commitment from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. This commitment confirms that a Canadian entity sees potential in the applicant's business idea. The applicant then applies for permanent residence, demonstrating they meet all eligibility criteria, including language proficiency, sufficient settlement funds, and admissibility requirements. If approved, the applicant receives permanent residence status, allowing them to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.

Who it's for

The Start-Up Visa Program is ideal for experienced entrepreneurs, innovators, and business owners with a viable business concept that is new or highly innovative and has the potential for rapid growth. It suits individuals who can articulate a strong business plan, are willing to establish their business within Canada, and can secure the necessary support from a designated organization.

To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa Program, applicants must meet several key criteria:

• Commitment from a Designated Organization: Applicants must obtain a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian angel investor group, venture capital fund, or business incubator. This involves pitching their business idea to these organizations and securing an investment or acceptance into a business incubator program.

  • Venture Capital Fund: Must be investing at least $200,000.
  • Angel Investor Group: Must be investing at least $75,000.
  • Business Incubator: Must accept the applicant into its program (no minimum investment required).

• Qualifying Business: The business must meet the following conditions at the time the commitment is made and when the permanent residence application is received:

  • The applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights in the business.
  • Applicants and the designated organization must jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights.

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). This must be proven through an approved language test.

• Settlement Funds: Applicants must have sufficient unencumbered, transferable, and available funds to support themselves and their family members (if applicable) after arriving in Canada. The amount required is based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) and is updated annually. These funds cannot be borrowed from another person.

• Intention to Reside in a Province Other Than Quebec: Applicants must intend to live in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Applicants for the Start-Up Visa Program will need to provide a comprehensive set of documents, including but not limited to:

• Letter of Support: The official letter from the designated organization.
• Commitment Certificate: Issued by the designated organization to IRCC.
• Language Test Results: Official results from an approved language test (IELTS or CELPIP for English; TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French).
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements, investment certificates, or other verifiable documents demonstrating sufficient settlement funds.
• Travel Documents and Passports: Valid passport and travel history for the applicant and all accompanying family members.
• Identity and Civil Status Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, etc.
• Police Certificates: From every country or territory where the applicant and family members (over 18) have lived for six consecutive months or more since turning 18.
• Medical Examinations: Confirmation of upfront medical exams for all family members.
• Education Documents: Diplomas, degrees, or certificates.
• Business Plan: While not directly submitted with the PR application, elements of the business a designated organization supported will need to be evidenced.

The Start-Up Visa application process generally follows these steps:

1. Develop Your Business Idea: Refine your innovative business concept that has the potential for growth and job creation in Canada.
2. Seek Support from a Designated Organization: Pitch your business idea to designated Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators. This is a critical step, as you cannot apply without a Letter of Support.
3. Obtain a Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate: Once a designated organization commits to supporting your business, they will provide you with a Letter of Support and directly send a Commitment Certificate to IRCC.
4. Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary personal, financial, and business-related documents as outlined by IRCC.
5. Complete Application Forms: Fill out all federal immigration forms accurately and completely for yourself and any accompanying family members.
6. Pay Fees: Pay the government processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
7. Submit Application: Submit your complete application package to IRCC. Ensure all forms are signed and all required documents are included.
8. Biometrics: You will receive instructions to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a designated service point.
9. Medical Examination and Police Certificates: Undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician and obtain police certificates from relevant countries.
10. Application Processing: IRCC will review your application, which may include background checks and security screening.
11. Decision: If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). You will then be able to land in Canada as a permanent resident.

Note: An applicant may be eligible for a temporary work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed, provided they have a valid Letter of Support and meet specific work permit requirements.

The Start-Up Visa Program allows applicants to include their immediate family members in their permanent residence application. This typically includes:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Your spouse or common-law partner can be included in the application.
• Dependent Children: Children who are under 22 years old and do not have a spouse or common-law partner can be included. Children 22 years old or older who have depended on their parents for financial support due to a mental or physical condition since before the age of 22 can also be included.

All accompanying family members must meet Canada's admissibility requirements, including medical and security checks.

Upon receiving permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program, the principal applicant and their accompanying family members (spouse/common-law partner, dependent children) gain the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. There are no restrictions on the type of employment or location within Canada for permanent residents. Prior to permanent residence, eligible applicants may apply for a temporary work permit to begin establishing their business in Canada, provided they have a valid Letter of Support from a designated organization and meet the work permit criteria.

The Start-Up Visa Program is a direct permanent residence pathway. Unlike many other immigration streams that may offer a temporary visa first, successful applicants under the SUV program are granted permanent resident status from the outset (upon landing in Canada with their Confirmation of Permanent Residence). This means there is no further pathway or 'step-up' required to achieve permanent residence; it is the direct outcome of a successful application to this program. Permanent residents can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the residency requirements.

Common reasons for refusal under the Start-Up Visa Program include:

• Insufficient Settlement Funds: Not demonstrating enough unencumbered funds to support oneself and family in Canada.
• Lack of Genuine Business Intent: The immigration officer may not be convinced the applicant genuinely intends to operate a qualifying business in Canada that meets the program's objectives.
• Issues with the Letter of Support: The Letter of Support or Commitment Certificate may be deemed invalid or not properly issued by a designated organization.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or withholding material facts on the application.
• Admissibility Issues: Falling short on medical or security requirements, or having a criminal record.
• Failure to Meet Language Requirements: Not achieving CLB 5 in all four language abilities.
• Incomplete Application: Missing required documents or forms, leading to the application being returned or refused.