Start-up Visa
The Start-up Visa Program is a program that allows foreign entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada to establish and grow their business, with the support of designated Canadian organizations. It targets innovative entrepreneurs with high-growth potential businesses.
Do you have an innovative business idea? If you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.
About the Program
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
- are innovative
- can create jobs for Canadians
- can compete on a global scale
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
- have a qualifying business
- get a letter of support from a designated organization
- meet the language requirements
- bring enough money to settle
A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions.
1. At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization:
- each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners), AND
- applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
2. 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
Meet the language requirements
The ability to communicate and work in English, French or both languages will help your business succeed in Canada. You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French.
Work Permit
While your application for permanent residence is being processed, you can apply for a temporary work permit to get to Canada and start building your business.
*A designated organization may support Start-up Visa applications for a maximum of 5 owners from the same company.
**Each owner MUST file his/her own application with SuperVisas.
- Quick and easy online application
- Preparation of submission package
- Expert review and representation
- $1 million in insurance
- Secure encrypted document storage
How It Works
- 1Create An Account
Do an eligibility check, or pick a visa, or just sign up directly to create an account. Then you can see all the documents needed, questions you must answer, and fee payments for our services and to the government. If you have any questions, it is easy to contact our sales team or to schedule a call.
- 2Eligibility Confirmation Before Payment
First you will answer a few questions to ensure you are eligible for the visa. Only if you are eligible will the payment unlock. Making payment assigns an immigration lawyer or regulated consultant to your application. We are transparent in our process and pricing, and clearly list all the fees and processing times for your visa. Read our Transparency Pledge. We use Stripe for credit or debit card payment processing, which is secure and encrypted.
- 3Complete Your Application Online
You can complete as many of the application tasks you wish before payment. Take your time. Some visas require a lot of information, which requires answering questionnaires and uploading of documents. Our system ensures everything necessary is gathered depending on your situation - preventing errors and omissions - and saving you time.
- 4Visa Preparation and Submission
Once all the tasks are completed, our experts will review your answers and start preparing your application so that the best case is best presented. Government fees are also due once the application is completed and we can correctly calculate the government fees due. After a final review by you, and by our experts, your application will be submitted! You will have peace of mind that only comes with an accurate application.
- 5Approval and Renewals
We notify you when your visa is approved! If there are any questions or rejections from the government, we will answer them and resubmit without any further fees from us. We securely store your immigration documents for 7 years and provide alerts well before any expiry dates. Renewing or taking the next step toward citizenship is easy when all your immigration history is in one place.
Required Documents
Some documents you will need to provide, and some documents we may prepare for you.
- Birth Certificates - Permanent Residence
- Divorce Certificate - Permanent Residence
- Family Member Questionnaire
- Family's Passports
- Other Identity Documents - Permanent Residence
- Police Certificate - Permanent Residence
- Resume
- Voting Rights of Canadian Company