Canada Start Up Visa

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The Canada Start-Up Visa Program is a one-of-a-kind program and currently the only Federal program dedicated to direct permanent residency in Canada. Canada residence by investment Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with skills and potential to build a business in Canada that is innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale. One application can include the entrepreneur, his/her spouse, any children under 22 years of age.

Government

Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy

Population

40M (2024)

Official Language

English and French

Climate

Varies from Province to Province

Member of

United Nations, World Trade Organization, G7, OECD, Organization of American States

Visa Free Travel

188 Countries

Time to Permanent Residency

24 to 36 months

Time to Passport

3-5 years

Canada Start-up Visa Process

What is the Canada Start-Up Visa Program?

The Canada Start-up Visa Program (SUVP) is a government-backed permanent residency program intended to encourage the flow of capital into Canada’s economy and promote entrepreneurship and employment in Canada. This Canada startup visa program is designed to bolster the culture of entrepreneurship in Canada by supporting the establishment of new businesses or start-ups. To achieve these goals, the Canada Startup Visa seeks individuals with innovative ideas who can contribute to the Canadian economy. For those who do not have an innovative idea, the government is also looking for qualified investors to pool their skills and funds into the business of a Start-Up founder.

Maintaining Permanent Residency & Canadian Citizenship

  • To maintain permanent residency, a permanent resident in Canada must spend 2 out of 5 years physically in Canada.
  • To obtain Canadian citizenship and passport, a permanent resident must spend 3 out of 5 years physically in Canada.

Early Work Permit for Faster Entry to Canada

In 2024, the Canadian government introduced a change to the Canada Start-Up Visa Program, which now allows for the primary applicant and spouse to obtain an open work permit based on their Canada Start-Up Visa application. This open work permit takes 6-8 months to obtain from time of submission of the application, and allows the primary applicant and spouse to enter Canada and begin legally working and living in Canada while they are waiting for approval of their permanent residency.

Requirements for the Canada Start-Up Visa

EB-5 Visa Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for permanent residency, the following requirements must be met:

  • The business idea must be innovative
  • The business idea must be able to compete on a global scale
  • The business must gain support from an approved business support group in Canada (angel investor, venture capital, business incubator).
  • The main applicant must meet ONE of the following:
    • An individual who, either alone or with a spouse, beneficially owns financial assets having an aggregate and realizable value that before taxes, but net of any related liabilities, exceeds $1,000,000 (excluding real estate)
    • An individual whose net income before taxes exceeded $200,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years or whose net income before taxes combined with that of a spouse exceeded $300,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years and who, in either case, reasonably expects to exceed that net income level in the current calendar year.
    • An individual who, either alone or with a spouse, has net assets of at least $5,000,000 (including real estate)
  • Highly skilled business owners or professionals with at least 5+ years of high level experience in their industry.
  • Post-secondary credential/degree or experience as a business owner/manager.

Legal Framework of the Canada Start-Up Visa

In 2013, the Start-up Visa initially began as a five-year pilot program in Canada in order to attract entrepreneurs to Canada who had an innovative business idea and who could compete on a global scale. If a program is successful during the five year trial period, CIC may formally introduce it as a new economic class in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Under Section 12(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Selection of Permanent Residents, A foreign national may be selected as a member of the economic class on the basis of their ability to become economically established in Canada.

The program then had a relatively small number of applicants. On July 18, 2017, IRCC announced that it would establish this program permanently once the pilot program expired in March 2018. Therefore, the regulations for this program became finalized by IRCC and effective beginning April 2018.

About Step Global

Step Global is the leading immigration consultancy and advisory firm headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates – a hub for effectively servicing clients from the GCC and MENA region, including India and Pakistan. We are comprised of a network of globally licensed lawyers, investment advisors, immigration specialists, and real estate experts who provide active guidance through the entire immigration process. Acting as a single point of contact between all parties involved, we ensure the most optimal chances for approval of your application for migration.

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Why Choose Us for Your Immigration Journey:

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Canada Start-Up Visa Pricing

FAQs​

Canada Residence by Investment offers investors and business people the option to obtain permanent Canadian residency by investing in the economy of the country. The Start-Up Visa Canada and the provincial investor programs enable investors with the necessary qualifications to move to Canada, where they will help grow businesses and create jobs.

The processing time for the Canada Startup Visa Program Permanent Resident Application can vary. Each application has a different process and timeframe. It typically takes several months, and factors such as the completeness of the application, the volume of applications, and other variables can influence the processing time. It’s advisable to check the most recent information on processing times from official immigration sources or consult with immigration professionals and consultants for the latest updates.

Each program has its own criteria for the required investment amount. For the Start-up Visa (Federal) Program, the applicant must secure funding or support from a recognized Canadian venture capital fund, business incubator, or angel investor group. Provincial Nominee Programs typically require an investment of between $200,000 and $600,000, together with proof of business management experience.

Canadian residency via investment offers the following advantages:

  • Privileges to live, work, and study in Canada in any part.
  • Availability of advanced healthcare and educational facilities.
  • Opportunities for business in a stable and well-established economy.
  • Eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
  • The ability to include family members in the application.

Applicants are typically required to submit:

  • Valid passport and identity documents.
  • Proof of business ownership or management experience.
  • Financial statements and source of funds verification.
  • Business plan or letter of support from a designated organization.
  • Police clearance and medical examination reports.
  • Completed immigration application forms.

The process usually includes:

  • Determining the best program to use (Provincial Nominee Program or Start-Up Visa).  
  • Obtaining a support letter from an approved organization or drafting a compelling business plan.  
  • Submitting the PR application with the required documentation.  
  • Completing the medical and security checks.  
  • Investing the funds or establishing the business in Canada after getting the approval. 
  • Being granted Canadian PR, and applying for citizenship after some years.

There are no specific age limit restrictions for any Canadian start-up visa program or immigration in Canada. However, an applicant should be able to adequately invest in the qualified start-up and contribute towards the management of the start-up in Canada. Oftentimes, this requires evidence of a certain level of work experience or skill development. The likelihood of selection and fulfillment of eligibility criteria is increased if the primary applicant is experienced as a professional or entrepreneur.

A person must physically be inside Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years of permanent residency to be eligible for Canadian citizenship or passport. That means one can immediately apply for Canadian citizenship upon completion of the 3 years requirement in Canada at any time during the 5 years, even if this is concluded before holding the permanent residency for a full 5 years. This requirement is unique to Canada out of most residency by investment programs which require a minimum holding time for the permanent residency.

You can apply for the Start-up Visa Program as the main applicant, his/her spouse, and any unmarried children under the age of 22. All the family members included in the application will be entitled to the benefits of permanent residency in Canada, like social security, universal free healthcare, education, and employment.

The Canadian Startup Visa Program is aimed at immigrant entrepreneurs who can build businesses in Canada and requires applicants to have a comprehensive business plan outlining their startup venture. The business plan should include details such as the business concept, market analysis, financial projections, and the team’s qualifications. It plays a crucial role in demonstrating the viability and potential success of the proposed startup, contributing to the overall assessment of the application.

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