Startup Visa Program in Canada - Immigrate & Work In Canada As Startup Founders
If you have your own business overseas and a viable business plan to operate a startup, we connect you with investors or incubators, sponsoring you a work permit and PR to do business in Canada.
Apr 12, 2024
6 min read
The Start-Up Visa Program offers successful applicants and their eligible dependents permanent residence in Canada, along with support to help them establish their business. Applicants receive leadership guidance, funding, and operational support through designated Canadian organizations that choose to assist them.
Up to five (5) people can apply as business owners.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Have a qualifying business (see what constitutes a Qualifying Business).
Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization.
Meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 5 in all abilities (English or French).
Pass medical and security clearances.
Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada.
Intend to reside outside of Quebec.
Qualifying Business
A business is considered qualifying if it meets these conditions:
At the time of obtaining a commitment from a designated organization:
Each applicant holds at least 10% of the voting rights in the business.
Applicants and the designated organization together hold more than 50% of the voting rights.
At the time of obtaining permanent residence:
Applicants actively manage the business in Canada.
Significant business operations occur within Canada.
The business is incorporated in Canada.
Investment Requirements
Designated organizations authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators, can support applicants.
Successful applicants must:
Secure an investment of at least $200,000 from a venture capital fund.
Secure at least $75,000 from an angel investor group.
Be accepted into a business incubator program.
Support from multiple organizations is allowed, with a single Commitment Certificate and one Letter of Support issued to the applicant. If several organizations provide support, the minimum investment is determined by the organization making the first investment (e.g., if an angel investor group invests first, the minimum is $75,000).
Supporting documents you need to upload
travel document or passport
language proficiency test results
letter of support
birth certificates
identity and civil status documents
children’s information
police certificates
photos of you and each family member in Canada
fee payment receipt
proof of funds
3. Pay your application fees
Fees: from $2,385
You must pay your fees online(opens in a new tab) .
Processing fees | You need to pay processing fees for yourself and any of your dependants. |
|---|---|
Right of permanent residence fee | In most cases, you need to pay the right of permanent residence fee when your application is approved. |
Biometrics fee | Pay your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) fee when you submit your application to avoid delays. |
Other fees | You likely need to pay fees to other organizations for |
Your document checklist has more detail on each supporting document.
Please note that As of January 1, 2026, the Start-Up Visa Program is paused.Canadian immigration refugees and citizenship has stop accepting commitment certificates from organizations after December 31, 2025.
Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate must apply by June 30, 2026.
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