Start-up Visa Program for Canada
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
About the process
- Fees from $2,140 CAD, (effective from April 30, 2022)
- Processing time – 32 months
Eligibilities and requirements
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
More details below. Please read through this page to help yourself understand.
Have a qualifying business
A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions.
- 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)
- 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
- You provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
- You provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
- An essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
- The 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 in all of these four areas:
- Speaking
- Reading
- Listening
You must take a language test that include the results with your application, otherwise your application will not go through.
Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants.
| Number of family members | Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 01 | $14,690 |
| 02 | $18,288 |
| 03 | $22,483 |
| 04 | $27,297 |
| 05 | $30,690 |
| 06 | $34,917 |
| 07 | $38,875 |
| For each additional family member | $3,958 |