Your net assets must be greater than $200,000 CAD to successfully apply for this visa. This includes bank deposits, stocks, bonds, investments, and real estate, minus any debt.

• The only direct to permanent resident business program in Canada
• No minimum investment required
• Essential applicants and their family members can live, work, and study in Canada while PR is in process.
• Five team members and their families can apply for PR with a single business
• No exploratory trip required
• No requirement to invest your own money in the business
• No net worth verification
• Keep PR even if the business does not succeed

A direct pathway to permanent residence for entrepreneurs seeking to start an innovative business in Canada

2013

The Start-up Visa Program launched as a pathway to PR for tech entrepreneurs

2018

Program was made permanent in April 2018.

Have a Qualifying Business

The business must:

• Be innovative
• Have the ability to create jobs for Canadians
• Have the ability to compete on a global scale
• Relate to the applicant’s experience

When you get a commitment from a designated organization:

• The applicant must have 10% or more of the voting rights for all shares of the business

In total, the applicants and the designated organization must hold more than 50% of the voting rights for all shares in the business

At the time you receive your permanent residence:

• Applicant must be an essential to the business and participate in management

The business must be incorporated in Canada

You must get a letter of support from a designated organization.

Business groups that have been approved to invest in or support start-ups include:

• Start-Up Incubators
• Angel Investor Groups
• Venture Capital Funds

You must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French in all of these four areas:

• Speaking
• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• You must prove that you have the money to support yourself and your family. You can’t borrow this money from another person.
• The amount you need depends on the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Bring Enough Money to Settle

Number offamily members	Funds required(in Canadian dollars)
1	$13,310
2	$16,570
3	$20,371
4	$24,733
5	$28,052
6	$31,638
7	$35,224
For each additional family member	$3,586

The ideal Start-Up Visa applicant has the skills and motivation to establish an innovative business in Canada. They are often:

• Up to date on the latest trends in their industry
• See the benefits of immigration for their family, including education opportunities
• Experienced as an entrepreneur, business owner, or senior manager

1. Firstly Resume/CV and Business profile submitted.
2. Business Immigration Resume Template submitted.
3. Potential SUV applicants qualified to confirm meet minimum requirements 
4.  Applicant evaluation. A free, 30 minute consultation with  team in Canada to verify minimum requirements can be met, fees will be discussed at this stage and first 50% of fees are due  upon client retaining  us to act on their behalf. Second set of 50% fees on delivery of Letter of Support (LOS) 
5.  Incubator selection. Based on the project’s industry, we will select the most suitable incubators
6. Designated incubator presentation. Team members present the pitch deck to the incubator and answer questions.
7. Negotiating terms and obtaining letter of support. We ensure the critical LOS is delivered in a timely manner.
8. PR and optional temporary applications prepared and submitted. Essential team members and their families are eligible for work permits, SOWP, and study permits.  Applicants (or their agents) work directly with our expert processing team to complete and submit their applications efficiently and quickly.
9. Business development plan enacted. Our team will guide you in meeting IRCC’s requirements to ensure PR is approved
10. Temporary application approvals. The optional work permits and accompanying family member applications are approved based on the published estimated timeline for the applicant’s region.
11. Permanent residency application approvals. The estimated processing time is regularly updated by IRCC. 

• Government programs to help new businesses grow
• Services for immigrants and their families
• High quality education and schools
• Safety and low crime rate
• High level of freedom

Canada permanent resident status

Permanent Residents can:

• Get most benefits that citizens do, including healthcare

• Live, work or study anywhere in Canada
• Apply for Canadian citizenship
• Be protected under Canadian law

Time Lived in Canada

To keep PR, you need to live in Canada for >730 days over the five years after you get PR.

Canadian Citizenship

To become a Canadian citizen, you must:

• Be a permanent resident
• Live in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
• File your taxes
• Pass a test on your knowledge of Canada
• CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening
• Possible additional requirements

How does a designated incubator support your business?

Each incubator is different. Typical services include: consulting, training, introductions in the industry, research help, and guidance. 

How do we help you choose an incubator?

We work with a variety of trusted designated incubators, each with their own field of expertise. The incubator selected will depend on the applicant’s backgrounds and business concept’s industry.

What are my ongoing obligations?

Each team member must be engaged in the incubation program. During and after the incubation period, our team will guide you in continuing to meet IRCC’s SUV requirements.  

How can I get support from a designated organization?

We will assess your skill set and develop a strategy to secure the critical letter of support. All materials required by the incubator are provided by us–with your input.  Prior to presenting to the incubator, we ensure your team is fully prepared.

Do I have to invest a certain amount in my business?

The SUV program has no minimum investment requirement. Any investments made should be in furtherance of establishing or growing your Canadian business. 

Does the business need a certain number of staff?

No, the business must have the intention of hiring Canadian workers.