Start-Up Visa Canada

Canada is looking for talented entrepreneurs that are interested in starting businesses that will stimulate the Canadian economy while creating employment opportunities for its residents. If you are an entrepreneur, you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the start-up visa program. 

Read on for everything you need to know about Canada’s start-up visa program, including a step-by-step guide to the application process and see how Canadim can help you immigrate to Canada through the start-up program. 

What is the Start-Up Visa Program?

Canada’s start-up visa program gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to immigrate to Canada in order to establish a new business. Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is original, will create new jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.

What are the requirements for Canada's start-up visa?

There are four requirements you need to meet in order to be eligible for a Canadian start-up visa:

1. Have a qualifying business:

   • You must hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company
   • Together with the designated organization, you must hold at least 50% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company

2. Have a letter of support from a designated organization:

   • Canadim will help support you in demonstrating that you have the support of a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator
   • In order to do this, you must pitch your business idea and convince the organization that it is worth supporting
   • The process of pitching your business idea will be different for each organization
   • If your pitch is successful, you will receive a letter of support from the organization which must be included in your start-up visa application

3. Meet the language requirements:

   • You must take a language test from an approved agency and show that you meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

4. Proof of funds:

   • Canadim can help guide you in how to show proof of funds. You will need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents once you arrive in Canada. The amount you need depends on the size of your family.

Designated organizations for start-up visa

As part of the eligibility requirements, you will need to provide proof (Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support) that your business is in fact supported by a designated organization. These documents will cover the relevant details of your arrangement with one or multiple designated organizations, and are paramount to your startup visa application. Unlike federal and provincial investor programs, where applicants must invest their own capital, no investment of their own funds will be required.

Instead, those who meet the eligibility requirements must secure a minimum of $75,000 from a Canadian angel investor, or a minimum of $200,000 from a Canadian venture capital fund recognized by the government of Canada. If the applicant is accepted into a recognized Canadian business incubator, no investment capital is required.

List of designated organizations

How to apply for a start-up visa

1. Fill out the application form:

   • Fill out the Generic Application Form for Canada
   • Click the “Validate” button on the form, and make sure that you have completed all required fields
   • Print the validated application form, making sure to include the barcode page
   • Sign and date the form

2. Complete the document checklist

   • Gather all documents listed in the order specified in the document checklist
   • Place all necessary documents in a sealed envelope
   • Print out the document checklist and sign it
   • Include the document checklist as the cover page of your application

3. Pay your application fees

   • Application fees include processing fees for you and anyone included in your application
   • Right of permanent residence fee 
   • Third-party fees including fees for medical exams, police certificates, and language testing
   • Biometrics fees:

     Type of Applicant	Cost
     Individual applicants	$85 CAD
     Families applying together	Maximum total fee of $170 CAD
     Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff	Maximum total fee of $255 CAD

4. Submit your application

   • Before submitting your application, ensure that it is complete
   • Make sure you have signed all forms
   • Pay your processing fees and include receipts in your application
   • Include all supporting documents

   Put all documents in a 9” x 12” envelope, write ‘start-up visa’ on the outside of the envelope, and mail to the appropriate address

How long is the processing time for Canadas start-up visa

The current processing time for the start-up visa is around 31 months.

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