Start-up Visa (Federal)

Start-up Visa program

Canada’s start-up visa program aims to help innovative entrepreneurs migrate to Canada by getting support from Canadian private sector businesses such as angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators. The supporting partner also facilitate the establishment of applicant’s start-up business in Canada.

The program gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to immigrate to Canada in order to establish a new business. Canada Start Up Visa program grants Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs.

The applicant must demonstrate that their business will ensure the creation of more employment opportunities and global competition. The immigrant entrepreneurs must have a sound, innovative, and scalable business idea which is supported by the designated authorities and this will open doors for the applicant’s immigration to Canada.

There are five requirements you need to meet in order to be eligible for a Canadian start-up visa:

Applicants to Canada’s Start-Up Visa program must meet five basic eligibility requirements: Have a qualifying business; Obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support;Have sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable Settlement Funds  updated each year (the requirements identical to those for skilled workers);Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 Language Test Equivalency Charts) ; No inadmissibility due to  Security and/or Medical issues

NOTE1: Use this official link for Settlement Funds for Star-up Business Visa

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/proof-funds-start-business-class.html

NOTE2: Use The following official Link for Language Test Equivalency Charts

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements/test-equivalency-charts.html

  1. Business Meets Ownership Requirements
  • You must hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company
  • Together with the designated organization, you must hold at least 50% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company
  1. Have support from designated organization:
  • You need to demonstrate that you have the support of a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator
  • In order to do this, you must pitch your business idea and convince the organization that it is worth supporting
  • The process of pitching your business idea will be different for each organization
  • If your pitch is successful, you will receive a letter of support from the organization which must be included in your start-up visa application
  1. Meet the language requirements:
  • You must take a language test from an approved agency and show that you meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.
  1. Have Sufficient funds to Settle in Canada:
  • You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents once you arrive in Canada. The amount you need depends on the size of your family.
  1. Proof of Security and Medical Clearances

You and your family members need to undergo a security clearance and a medical examination in order to determine whether you:

  • Pose a security threat to the country,
  • Have a severe health condition that would put a burden on the Canadian healthcare system.

Successful candidates will receive a letter of support from a government-designated entity (angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator).

The government-designated entity is primarily responsible to determine the viability of the applicant’s intended business and present an approved project along with a Commitment Certificate to immigration authorities. List of Designated Entities

NOTE3: Use the following official Link for List of Designated Entities

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa/designated-organizations.html

The required commitment from a designated entity must meet the following criteria:

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada through the Entrepreneur Start-up Visa program, the first step is to find a Canadian angel investor group, business incubator, or venture capital fund to back you up. At least one of these entities must be willing to invest in your new start-up.

Mind you, the investor organization must be a designated angel investor group, a qualified business incubator program, or a designated venture capital by the Canadian government to take place in the Entrepreneur Start-up Visa program.

Each fund or group has its own application. Chances are, you will need to contact these groups and apply through various processes to submit and present your business idea to them. While some parties may expect you to have a complete business plan, others may not.

Spend some time researching these groups. Visit their websites and analyse what sort of start-ups they are interested in. Each group or fund may have varying objectives and choose to invest in specific sectors or types of businesses. On their websites, you may also find an outline of their application process.

Once you submit your idea and convince one of the designated incubators, angel investor groups, or venture capital funds to support your business, they will send you a letter of support.  They also provide the IRCC with a completed Commitment Certificate. The certificate lays out the details of the agreement and commitment between the designated organization and the candidate.

You may very well receive support from more than one investor. This is referred to as syndication.  In this case, the organizations supporting you will provide one joint Commitment Certificate to IRCC.

  • A designated angel investor group must confirm that it is investing at least $75,000 into the qualifying business, or two or more commitments from designated angel investor groups totaling $75,000; OR
  • A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business or two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totaling $200,000; OR
  • A designated business incubator must confirm that it is accepting the applicant into its business incubator Program.

The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.

If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.

The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. We’ll use both your letter of support and the organization’s commitment certificate to assess your application. Please note, we may ask you for more business information in order to take a final decision on your application.

If you don’t include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, we’ll refuse your application.

Up to five applicants may have their application for permanent residence supported by the same business investment. However, certain applicants may be designated essential to the intended business. If any of the essential applicants withdraw their application or are refused for other reasons, all other applicants under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.

Applicants who have secured a Commitment Certificate from a designated entity, and who wish to begin working in the business during the processing of their permanent residence application may be able to apply for a short-term work permit

Once you have the letter from your investor or investors, you are now ready to apply for your Start-up Visa provided you have all other documents available.

Applicant must provide for his Work Permit Application:

  • A letter of support from the designated entity; and
  • Proof they have sufficient funds to meet the low-income cut-off (LICO) for their family size, for one year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For permanent residency, the following criteria must be met:

 

  • Applicants must be actively involved in the management of the business within Canada;
  • The operations of the business, or an essential part, must take place in Canada; and
  • The business must be incorporated in Canada.

 

Complete List of Documents required for Work permit and PR

  • Detailed Resume (CV) of the candidate
  • Draft Business Proposal
  • Copy of Passport or Legal Travel Document
  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate (if married)
  • Police Clearance Record from your country of origin and residence
  • Proof of Funds: a recent Bank Statement covering at least six months
  • Bank Reference Letter
  • Language Test Results (IELTS CLB Level 5 or NCLC Level 5)
  • Medical Examination Confirmation from a certified health institution
  • Letter of Support from a designated entity in Canada
  • Has paid the FEE for Start-up Visa Program-PR as per link below:

https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/epay/order.do?category=10072

 

Note; Canada’s Start-Up Visa program does not apply to applicants who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.

Related Services:
Owner Operator LMIA

Intra-Company Transferees (“ICTs”)

Our all Services

  

Designated entities that may support an application under the Start-Up Visa program are:

 

NOTE: Use links for all Designated Entities from below official link only:

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa/designated-organizations.html

 

Designated venture capital funds

Designated angel investor groups

Designated business incubators

Start-up Visa program

Please contact us, to apply for the Start-up Visa Program and speak to our experts.

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