Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Future with Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program

Canada welcomes innovative entrepreneurs through the Start-Up Visa Program, offering a pathway to permanent residency while fostering business growth. This program provides essential support from designated organizations, allowing foreign entrepreneurs to establish successful ventures in Canada.

Who Can Apply for Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program?

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

✔ Language Proficiency: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French.
✔ Financial Stability: Proof of sufficient funds for settlement.
✔ Business Location: Must establish the business outside Quebec.
✔ Security & Medical Clearance: Must pass all required assessments.
✔ Business Endorsement: A Commitment Certificate from a designated organization.
✔ Ownership Compliance: Up to five foreign nationals can apply under the same venture.

Investment Requirements for Entrepreneurs

To gain approval, applicants must secure financial backing from a designated organization:

• Venture Capital Fund: Minimum $200,000 investment.
• Angel Investor Group: Minimum $75,000 investment.
• Business Incubator: No investment required, but acceptance into a program is mandatory.

📌 Important: Entrepreneurs are not required to invest their own funds, and permanent residency remains valid even if the business does not succeed.

Commitment Certificate & Letter of Support

Applicants must provide a Commitment Certificate from their designated organization to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This document outlines the business agreement, alongside a Letter of Support, which is critical for permanent residency approval.

✔ Essential Persons Rule: If multiple individuals apply under the same venture and one is deemed ineligible, it could impact all linked applications.

Enhance Your Application with Syndication

Entrepreneurs can increase their chances by securing support from multiple designated organizations. In such cases:

• All participating organizations must be listed.
• A single Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support will be issued.

Ensuring Integrity Through Peer Review

To prevent fraudulent applications, immigration officers may request an independent peer review from industry panels such as:

• National Angel Capital Organization (for angel investors).
• Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (for venture capital funds).

This review assesses:

✔ Business incorporation status in Canada.
✔ Compliance with ownership requirements.
✔ Business model viability and growth potential.
✔ Incubator program acceptance (if applicable).

Although peer review does not guarantee approval, it helps immigration officers make informed decisions.

Why Choose Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program?

✔ A direct pathway to permanent residency.
✔ No need for personal investment.
✔ Support from Canada’s private sector and business incubators.
✔ Opportunities to establish a high-growth business in a thriving market.

How to Apply for the Canada Start-Up Visa Program?

1. Secure support from a designated organization.
2. Obtain a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support.
3. Submit a permanent residency application to IRCC.