Start-Up Visa Program

The program is created for entrepreneurs (and identified essential people within their businesses) who want to set up, work, and grow their businesses in Canada.

Under the SUVP, business owners are given permanent residence (PR), guidance, as long as Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is satisfied that their businesses can potentially:

• Create jobs in Canada;
• Be innovative within a sector or industry; and
• Can compete on a global scale.

Successful applicants under the program will retain PR status, even if their business venture should fail after immigration to Canada.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must own a qualifying business. This means that at any point in time you (as an owner) will need to own at least 10% of the voting rights of the business. In addition, all owners (up to five may apply together) and the designated investment organization in Canada must (at all times) collectively own at least 50% of the total voting rights.

Individuals who have such ownership must then:

• Prove their business has sponsorship and support from a designated organization in Canada;
• Ensure they meet the minimum language requirement for either English or French;
• Have sufficient funds to settle and live in Canada; and
• Pass immigration security and medical clearance checks.
• Proving support from a designated organization