What is the Start-Up Visa Program?
The Start-Up Visa Program (SUV) is a direct pathway to permanent residence for foreign entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea and obtain support from a designated Canadian investor or incubator.
Unlike most immigration programs, SUV does not require a job offer, prior Canadian experience, or a minimum net worth. The focus is on the viability and scalability of your business venture and whether it has backing from a trusted Canadian organization.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the Start-Up Visa Program, you must meet all of the following:
- Have a qualifying business
- Up to 5 applicants can apply as owners
- You must each hold at least 10% of voting rights
- The applicant(s) and designated organization must jointly hold over 50% of total voting rights
- Obtain support from a designated organization
- Business Incubator (no investment required), or
- Angel Investor Group (min. $75,000 CAD investment), or
- Venture Capital Fund (min. $200,000 CAD investment)
- Meet the language requirement
- Minimum CLB 5 in English or French in all four abilities
- Valid test: IELTS General, CELPIP General, or TEF Canada
- Prove you have sufficient settlement funds
- Required even if you already live in Canada
- Amount depends on family size and is updated yearly by IRCC
- Pass admissibility checks
• Medical, criminality, and background screening
Designated Organizations
You must secure a Letter of Support from one or more IRCC-approved designated organizations:
| Type | Minimum Requirement | Examples |
| Business Incubator | Acceptance into program | DMZ, Highline Beta, Volta |
| Angel Investor | $75,000 CAD | Keiretsu Forum, York Angel Investors |
| Venture Capital | $200,000 CAD | BDC Venture Capital, Version One Ventures |
- If multiple organizations are involved, it is called a syndication
- Only one Letter of Support is issued to IRCC regardless of the number of supporters
- Each organization also sends a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC
Essential Persons & Business Failure
If your business has multiple co-founders, IRCC will ask the designated organization to identify any “essential persons.”
- If an essential person is refused for any reason, all other linked applications will be refused
- If your start-up business fails after you receive PR, you still retain your permanent resident status
Peer Review Process
To ensure program integrity, IRCC may randomly or selectively request a peer review of your Commitment Certificate. This is conducted by a third-party industry association such as:
- NACO – for angel investor groups
- CVCA – for venture capital firms
- RICs/Incubators Canada – for incubators
The panel confirms whether appropriate due diligence was performed by the designated organization. The peer review is not binding but is a tool for IRCC to detect fraud or low-quality commitments.
Application Process
Section ID: #application-process
- Develop a scalable, innovative business idea
- Apply for support from a designated organization
- Receive a Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate
- Take an approved language test
- Gather required settlement funds
- Submit a complete permanent residence application
- Optional: Apply for a work permit while PR is being processed
Processing time:
- PR application: 12–18 months (may vary)
- Work permit: ~3–4 months (if applicable)
Fees and Documents
IRCC Fees (as of 2025):
| Application Type | Cost |
| Principal Applicant | $1,365 CAD |
| Spouse/Partner | $1,365 CAD |
| Dependent Child | $230 CAD |
| Biometrics | $85 CAD (per person) or $170 (per family) |
Required Documents:
- Valid passport(s)
- Language test results (CLB 5 minimum)
- Letter of Support from designated organization
- Business plan (optional but strongly recommended)
- Proof of settlement funds
- Police certificates and medical exam results
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Step 2: Create Your Express Entry Profile
- Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents
- Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Step 5: Prepare Your Application
- Step 6: Submit Your Complete Application within timeframe
- Step 7: Respond to Additional Information Requests
- Step 8: Receive Your Decision
- Step 9: If Approved, Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) Document
You can apply alone or with up to four other co-founders (maximum 5 applicants per business). Each must meet eligibility requirements.
No. You are not required to invest personal funds in your business.
You will not lose your permanent resident status. PR is granted based on the business proposal and organizational support, not on the business’s future success.
- Yes, you may apply for a temporary work permit if your designated organization supports this. This helps you build the business in Canada sooner.
- No. The Start-Up Visa Program is not available to applicants intending to settle in Quebec.
Launch Your Business in Canada — and Secure Permanent Residence
Sapra Immigration helps visionary entrepreneurs apply through the Start-Up Visa Program. We guide you from selecting the right incubator or investor, to preparing your business documentation and filing a strong PR application.