Important Changes to Canadian Start-Up Visa Work Permit
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently made significant changes to its policy regarding work permits for Start-up Visa (SUV) applicants. Applicants will need to provide additional documents if they are to apply for work permits.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently made significant changes to its policy regarding work permits for Start-up Visa (SUV) applicants. Applicants will need to provide additional documents if they are to apply for work permits. However, these changes align with IRCC's previous description of the Start-up Visa program and show that the government is paying more attention to processing work permit applications.
This blog post will summarize the key changes and discuss how they affect Start-up Visa applicants at different stages.
Applicants were evaluated based on the following criteria before May 18, 2023:
A designated entity must have issued a commitment certificate stating that the work permit application is "essential" and that there are urgent business reasons for their early entry to Canada.
A letter of support connected to a commitment certificate should have been provided by a designated entity.
The applicant must have intended to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
The applicant must have possessed sufficient funds to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size for a period of 52 weeks.
The foreign national, exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), must have completed an offer of employment and indicated their self-employment status. The completed form and employer compliance fee should have been submitted to IRCC.
To meet the requirements for a SUV Work Permit now, the applicant must meet the requirements above and:
Applicants and any other team members who are also applying for the Start-up Visa must have already submitted their permanent residence application(s).
Applicants must prove that they are essential to the business expansion in Canada by providing various documentations.
Apply online and not at any port of entry.
Company funds will no longer be acceptable as proof of settlement funds. Applicants must provide personal documents.
SUV work permit renewal will require proof of Canadian business operation.
The recent changes in IRCC policy for Start-up Visa applicants aim to streamline the process and attract foreign nationals who can bring significant economic or social benefits to Canada. These changes will apply to not only new Start-up Visa work permit applications but also applications submitted and pending a decision.
Apply for your Start-Up Visa Work Permit here
Apply for your Start-Up Visa here
