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Start-Up Visa Program

Welcome   →  Start-Up Visa Program

Start-Up Visa Program

Start-Up Visa

This program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global scale.  

The purpose of the program is to link immigrant entrepreneurs with private Canadian angel investor groups or venture capital fund organizations that have experience working with start-ups and can provide essential resources. 

A maximum of 2750 applications are processed every year.

Innovative entrepreneurs who want to come to Canada under a Start-Up visa will need to meet specific eligibility requirements, including:

  • Having A Letter of Support from A Designated Entity or Organization
  • A commitment certificate and letter from a designated entity that has been approved to invest in or support start-ups. Some designated organizations will have their own requirements to provide you with a letter of support.
  • The designated organization must also send a commitment certificate directly to IRCC.
  • Meeting Language Requirements: You need to take a language test from an approved agency and include the results in your application form. You must meet the minimum level of Canadian language benchmark 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in either English or French.
  • Having Enough Money to Settle: Beyond the venture capital funds needed to start a business, you will also need sufficient funds to immigrate to Canada. The recommended amount is assessed using 50% of statistics Canada’s current LICO for urban areas with a population of 500,000 or more.
  • Up to 5 people can apply for Start-up Visa as owners of the same business. Each applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights in the business, and the designated organization with owners must jointly hold more than 50% of voting rights in the business.