Canada Start-up Visa - Immigrate to Canada with an Innovative Business Idea

For the Canada Start-up Visa, your business must be innovative, with potential for creating jobs for Canadians, and able to compete on a global scale. 12 to 16 months processing.

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The Start-up Visa Program, offered by the federal government of Canada, provides a Canadian immigration pathway for immigrant entrepreneurs that possess the skills as well as the potential to set up businesses in Canada.

What kind of businesses come under Start-Up Visa?

Innovative
Create employment for Canadians
Compete on a global scale

Under the Start-up Visa Program, Canada is looking for talented entrepreneurs who can start businesses in Canada that will stimulate the economy of the country. Such innovative businesses must also create employment opportunities for Canadians – permanent residents and citizens of Canada – and be able to compete on a global scale.

Can I work in Canada while my Start-Up Visa application is under processing?

Yes. You can apply for a short-term work permit before you submit your application for Canada PR under the SUV program of Canada. You will need the following to apply for a short-term work permit –

Commitment Certificate and
Letter of Support.

Your Canada PR application must be submitted within six months from the date of issue of your Commitment Certificate.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Start-up Visa?

There are four requirements to be fulfilled.

A qualifying business
Support from a designated organization
Language requirement
Proof of funds

1. A qualifying business

Hold a minimum of 10% of the voting rights (attached to all shares of the company), and
Hold at least 50%, when considered along with the designated organization, of the voting rights (attached to all shares of the company)

At the time of receiving their Canadian permanent residence visa, the applicant must be actively managing their business on an ongoing basis from within Canada. While your Canada PR application is under processing, you can apply for a Canada Temporary Work Permit, allowing you to go to Canada and start building your business.

The business, to have been incorporated in Canada, must have an essential part of the business operations happening within the country.

2. Support from a designated organization

Be able to show support of an organization
Support can be from an angel investor group, business incubator, or venture capital fund
Business idea to be pitched to the organization
Must be convinced that the business idea is worth supporting
Pitching process varies
If pitch approved, support might be given
A Letter of Support issued
This letter must be included in SUV application

For the Canadian Start-Up Visa Program, a designated organization is a business group approved for investing in or supporting a potential start-up business in Canada.

Additional business information might be asked for, if required for reaching a final decision on the application.

3. Language requirement

Appear for a language test from an approved agency
Meet the minimum required level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 in either English or French, in all the four abilities assessed

For a business to succeed in Canada, the ability to communicate and work in English, French, or even both the languages will be required.

To meet the language requirements for the SUV Program of Canada, you will be required to appear for and pass a language test from any of the agencies specifically approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The language test results will have to be included with the application.

As compared to other immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) of Canada’s Express Entry, the minimum language requirement for Canada’s SUV is that of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5, in either French or English.

4. Proof of funds

Enough funds towards financial support when you arrive in Canada
Amount required will be as per the size of the family

The proof of funds requirement is updated annually. At the time of applying, proof of funds will have to be submitted showing that you have the money to support yourself and family when in Canada. Do keep in mind that as per IRCC, you can’t borrow this money from someone else.

Do I need a nomination for Canada Start-Up Visa?

Before you can apply for a Start-Up Visa for Canada, you will have to get an organization to support you for the same. The organization supporting you must be specifically designated for the purpose by the federal government of Canada through IRCC.

Why do I need support from an organization for my Canada SUV application?

If an organization is convinced that the business idea is worth supporting, a Letter of Support will be provided by them to the applicant. The designated organization will have to be directly contacted to find out the process for lending support to an immigrant start-up in Canada.

The Letter of Support, to be included in the Start-Up Visa application, will prove that your innovative business idea has the support of an angel investor group, business incubator, or venture capital fund.

Additionally, the designated organization will also be sending a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC. For the assessment of the SUV application, IRCC will require both the Letter of Support as well as the Commitment Certificate.

The process for pitching a business idea varies from organization to organization. Some organizations might ask for the submission of a detailed business plan. Others, however, can ask for a business concept to be presented by the applicant in person.

How much is needed as funds for a Canada Start-up visa?

Depends on the number of family members of the applicant. The cost of living in Canada will vary from place to place, depending to a large extent on where exactly in Canada you plan to settle as PR.

Business Immigration to Canada – Start Up Visa – Proof of Funds requirement in 2025

The proof of funds requirement has been updated with effect from April 25, 2023. To remain eligible, you must ensure that settlement funds are accordingly updated in your Express Entry profile.

Family Members	Funds Required (CAD)	Approximate in PKR
1	CAD 13,757	826,242
2	CAD 17,127	1,028,643
3	CAD 21,055	1,264,575
4	CAD 25,564	1,535,388
5	CAD 28,994	1,741,395
6	CAD 32,700	1,963,953
7	CAD 36,407	2,186,594
For each additional family member	CAD 3,706	222,581

What are the designated organizations for Canada’s Start-Up Visa program?

To be able to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program, your business venture or idea must have the support of one or more of the designated organizations.

A designated organization might be –

Angel investor group, a minimum of CAD75,000 investment required
Business incubator, must get support
Venture capital funds, a minimum of CAD200,000 investment required

Choosing which business proposals to review, each of the designated organizations has its own intake process for proposals as well as the specific criteria used for an assessment. The designated organization is responsible for assessing the potential of a business proposal and the likelihood of its succeeding. A Letter of Support will be given to the applicant if any of the IRCC-designated organizations chooses to support their business idea.

How to apply for a Canada Start-up Visa?

The basic stepwise process for applying for a Start-up visa for Canada –

Get your application package, containing a Document Checklist and an instruction guide.
Fill out your application form. You will have to fill out the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] on your computer. Click ‘Validate’ to check if all fields are filled up. Print the validated application form. Make sure you get your encoded data through the medium of the unique barcodes. Sign and date the form wherever asked.
Gather all documentation, in the order mentioned in the Document Checklist. Print the checklist and sign it, placing the same as the cover page of your application. Place your documents in a sealed envelope.
Pay the applicable fees. This will include the processing fees for you and anyone included on application, your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics fees.
While you can pay the application fees without the RPRF, it is recommended that you include the same to avoid delays in the future. The RPRF will have to be paid before you can become a Canadian permanent resident.
Other costs involved include medical examination, police certificates, and language testing.
In most of the cases, biometrics fees will have to be paid at the time of application submission. The biometrics fee includes the cost for collecting a digital photograph and fingerprints.
Submit the application, by regular mail or courier.

Where do I submit my application for Canada Start-up Visa?

There is no need for sending the application to a visa office or any other processing centre.

You must mail your completed application to –

By Regular Mail	By Courier
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Centralized Intake Office – Start Up Business Class	Centralized Intake Office – Start Up Business Class
P.O. BOX 8700	49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS B1P 0G2	Sydney, NS B1P 5Z2
Canada	Canada

o ensure that you write “Start-up business visa” on the outside of the envelope. You can send your application to any one of the given addresses. You must include the completed form, supporting documentation, and fee payment in a 9 inches by 12 inches envelope.

What is the cost for a Start-up Visa application?

The total amount of fees to be paid by you to IRCC will include the application fees, Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics.

Other third-party fees include the language testing, medical examination, police certificates etc.

Canada Start-up Visa – Calculate your fees

Fee Description	Fees in CAD	Fees in PKR (approx.)
Main applicant – processing fee	CAD 1,625*	PKR 97,718
Main applicant – Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	CAD 515*	PKR 30,969
Spouse/partner – processing fee	CAD 850*	PKR 51,114
Spouse/partner – RPRF	CAD 515*	PKR 30,969
Dependent child	CAD 230*	PKR 13,830
Biometrics fees, per person	CAD 85	PKR 5,111
Biometrics, family of two or more, applying at the same time and place	CAD 170	PKR 10,222

What is the processing time for Canada Start-up Visa?

Currently, the processing time is between 12 to 16 months. The individual processing time might vary based on many factors, such as the type of application submitted, whether or not the application is complete in all respects, etc.

Other Important FAQs

What is a “qualifying business” for Canada Start-Up visa?

By a “qualifying business” is implied a business that meets certain specific conditions –

Each of the applicants must hold 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all corporation shares.
Up to five individuals might apply as owners under the SUV Program of Canada.
The applicants and the designated organization together must hold over 50% of the total voting rights attached to all corporation shares.

Can I settle in Quebec with Canadian Start-Up Visa?

No, the Start-up Visa for Canada is not applicable in Quebec. If you plan on settling within Quebec, you will have to visit Quebec immigration programs. As per the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has a greater autonomy over the induction of migrants. Quebec is not a part of the Express Entry system or the Provincial Nominee Program.

Can I take my family on my Start-Up Visa Program?

Canada’s Start-Up Visa allows you to settle in Canada permanently with your family while you manage and run a business in the country.

Who reviews the applications for Start-up Visa for Canada?

Designated organization: Firstly, the designated organization – that you are seeking support from – will be reviewing the viability of your business proposal.
IRCC: Going ahead, IRCC, on behalf of the federal government of Canada, will be assessing your immigration application. IRCC will verify whether you do have the required support, along with checking your eligibility to become a permanent resident in Canada.
Peer review: An application might also be subjected to an independent peer review process as well. The goal of the peer review process is that of determining whether the activities of the designated organization and the applicant are in line with industry standards. Protection against fraud is also ensured. The applicant will be informed by IRCC that their case is being forwarded for a peer review.

What is the language requirement for Canada’s Start-Up visa?

To be eligible for Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, a CLB 5 will be needed in each of the four language abilities assessed – listening, reading, writing, and speaking.