Start-up Visa Program (SUV)
- Permanent Resident
- |
- Work
- Open
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SUMMARY
Successful applicants link with private sector organizations in Canada, where they can receive funding, guidance and expertise in opening and operating their business in Canada.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements must be met if you are applying to Start-up Visa Program:
1- Eligible Business Idea
- is innovative
- can create jobs for Canadians
- can compete on a global scale
A single business proposal can include up to five (5) applicants each holding at least 10% of voting rights attached to all share of business. In addition, the applicants and the designated organization should jointly hold at least 50% of the voting rights attached to all shares.
If a spouse or common-law partner owns shares in the business without being part of the entrepreneurial team, their shares cannot contribute to meeting the ownership percentage requirement of more than %50.
2- Support of a Designated Organization
- Venture capital funds
- Angel investor groups
- Business incubators
Designated organizations are business groups that are approved by IRCC to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program.
If an organization chooses to support your business idea, it’ll give you a Letter of Support that you must include in your application. The designated organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to IRCC.
Prioritization of the Inventory
Until December 31, 2026, immigration officers are directed to prioritize group applications associated with Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators. This prioritization emphasizes the importance of partnerships with designated entities, such as those within Canada's Tech Network (CTN) (➨ immilib.com/CTN), in facilitating entrepreneurial ventures. The following designated entities are from Canada’s Tech Network:
- Waterloo Accelerator Centre
- Genesis Centre
- Invest Nova Scotia
- Interactive Niagara Media Cluster o/a Innovate Niagara
- Innovation Factory
- North Forge Technology Exchange
- Platform Calgary
- The DMZ
- VIATEC
To see a complete list of Designated Organizations for Start-up Visa Program go to (➨Appendix 4)
Cap on New Applications Under Canada's Start-up Visa Program
Effective April 30, 2024, IRCC is mandated to restrict the processing of new applications under the start-up business class. Specifically, only 10 group applications per designated entity per calendar year will be assessed.
Restricted Updates to Commitment Certificates
Before the recent updates announced on April 30, 2024, start-up teams had the flexibility to request updates to their commitment certificate or support letter. This included changes such as substituting essential members with non-essential ones, removing or adding team members, or extending the expiry date. However, with the new regulations in place, the following rules apply:
Officers are now only permitted to accept updated commitment certificates for all applications until they receive the first permanent residence application under the Start-up Visa (SUV) program from any member of the entrepreneurial team listed on the certificate.
Once the first permanent residence application is received, it serves as the lock-in date for the commitment certificate. Subsequently, no further changes can be made to the certificate after this point. This measure ensures greater stability and consistency in the application process, providing clarity for both applicants and immigration officers.
3- Business Requirements
You and each applicant in your team must have a qualifying business in Canada. A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions:
At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization:
- Each applicant controls at least 10% of the voting rights of the business.
- The designated organization and the applicants together control more than 50% of the business’ voting rights.
At the time you receive your permanent residence:
- you provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
- an essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
- this business is incorporated in Canada
4- Language Ability
You must have taken an approved test results and have obtained a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 5 in all for abilities in English or French (➨Appendix 5).
5- Settlement Funds
You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada based on 50% of Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) (➨ Appendix 2).
6- Ineligibility
You are not eligible to apply under the Start-up Visa Program if you are a refugee claimant in Canada, a failed refugee claimant, had a removal order, are prohibited from entering or being in Canada, do not have status in Canada or are living illegally in your country of residence.
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
FMRA
WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?
Step 1: Get Support from a Designated Organization
You must get a letter of support from a designated organization (a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups) (➨Appendix 4) .You need to contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support.
You need to convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting.
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to IRCC. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.
The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to IRCC. Both your letter of support and the organization's commitment certificate are used to assess your application.
Step 2: Apply for Permanent Residence
Optional Step: Apply for a Temporary Work Permit
Once you receive a commitment certificate and support letter from a designated organization, you will become eligible to apply for a temporary work permit under the International Mobility Program. The designated entity must support the request for a work permit (➨Page).
You must submit your application using the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (PR Portal) (➨ immilib.com/PR-Portal).
Permanent Residence Application | |
| Apply Online (PR Portal) | |
| immilib.com/SUV-Apply | |
| Official Program Guide: | |
| immilib.com/SUV-Guide | |
| IRCC Application Fees: | |
| Main applicant: | $1810 |
| Spouse: | $950 |
| Each child: | $260 |
| RPRF main applicant: | $575 |
| RPRF spouse: | $575 |
| Biometrics: | $85 |
| (per person if applicable) | |
| Processing Time: | |
| immilib.com/FED-PT | |
| Document Checklist: | |
| immilib.com/SUV-Doc | |
| Contact: | |
1-888-242-2100 (in Canada) 1-613-944-4000 (outside Canada) Web Form: Visa Office: | |
Step 3: Biometrics
During processing, you will be asked to submit your biometrics.
Before you go, check the location’s website for its services and fees at (➨immilib.com/Biometrics). Depending on the location, you may need to make an appointment.
Step 4: Medical and Background Checks
Medical Check:
Instructions on how to get the medical exam done will be sent to you upon completion of selection based on the program’s eligibility criteria. You and your dependents must go for the medical exam within 30 days of receiving these instructions. Only an approved panel physician (➨immilib.com/PP) can do a complete medical exam for immigration reasons.
Background Check:
Background check is a required procedure to verify your criminal and/or security background to ensure you are admissible to Canada. Criminality and Security together are background checks. Criminality check is performed by RCMP (Police Service of Canada), and Security by CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) and CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency).
Step 5: Landing in Canada
You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when you cross a Canadian port of entry. This is referred to as ‘landing in Canada' (➨Page).
Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.
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WELCOME TO CANADA!
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