LMIA FinderMove to Canada Through the Start-Up Visa Program
Canada's Start-Up Visa Program grants permanent residence to innovative entrepreneurs with business ideas supported by designated Canadian investors.
Updated: November 2026
What Is the Start-Up Visa Program?
The Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program is a permanent residence pathway designed for immigrant entrepreneurs who have the potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs and compete on a global scale. Launched as a pilot in 2013 and made permanent in 2018, the program grants permanent residence to qualifying entrepreneurs and their families. Unlike most business immigration programs globally, the Canadian Start-Up Visa does not require you to invest a minimum amount of your own money — instead, you need a commitment from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator to support your business idea. This makes the program accessible to entrepreneurs with strong ideas but limited personal capital. The program is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is distinct from provincial business immigration programs. Up to five people can be included in a single application as co-founders, provided each holds at least 10% of the voting rights in the corporation and the applicant group collectively holds more than 50% of voting rights. Your permanent residence is not conditional on the ultimate success of your business — once PR is granted, you retain your status regardless of what happens to the venture.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Start-Up Visa Program, you must meet four core requirements. First, you need a qualifying business: an innovative business that is actively managed from Canada and has a significant portion of its operations in Canada. The business must be incorporated in Canada, and you must hold at least 10% of the voting rights. Second, you need a Letter of Support from a designated organization — a Canadian venture capital fund (minimum $200,000 investment commitment), an angel investor group (minimum $75,000 investment commitment), or a business incubator (no minimum investment, but they must accept you into their program). Third, you must meet the language requirement of CLB 5 in English or French in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing). This is tested through IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. Fourth, you must have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family in Canada. The amount depends on family size: $14,690 for a single applicant, $18,288 for two people, $22,483 for three, and increases with each additional family member (amounts are updated annually based on the Low Income Cut-Off). You do not need to deposit these funds in a Canadian bank — a letter from your bank showing sufficient available funds is acceptable.
Designated Organizations
The quality of your designated organization relationship is the most critical factor in your application. Designated Venture Capital Funds invest a minimum of $200,000 in your venture in exchange for equity. They bring capital, mentorship, industry connections, and credibility. Getting accepted by a VC fund is the most competitive but most prestigious route. Examples include BDC Venture Capital, Real Ventures, and Impression Ventures. Designated Angel Investor Groups invest a minimum of $75,000 and often provide hands-on mentorship. Angel groups like the Golden Triangle Angel Network, York Angel Investors, and the National Angel Capital Organization member groups evaluate pitches regularly. Designated Business Incubators accept you into their program (typically 4-6 months) and provide workspace, mentorship, training, and networking — but not necessarily capital. This is often the most accessible pathway for early-stage entrepreneurs. Incubators like Ryerson DMZ (now Toronto Metropolitan University), Communitech, and Innovate Calgary have experience working with SUV applicants. IRCC maintains an updated list of all designated organizations on their website. Not all organizations actively participate in the SUV program — research which ones have experience with immigrant entrepreneurs and have successfully supported SUV applications. An organization's letter of support is your most important document, so choose your partner carefully.
The Application Process Step by Step
Step 1: Develop your business concept into a pitch-ready state. You need a compelling business plan, competitive analysis, go-to-market strategy, financial projections, and a clear value proposition. Step 2: Identify and approach designated organizations. Research their investment focus, portfolio, and application process. Most have online application forms; some require warm introductions. Expect to pitch your business to an investment committee. Step 3: Secure a Letter of Support. If the designated organization agrees to support you, they issue a Letter of Support and send a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC confirming their due diligence and investment commitment. Step 4: Complete your language tests (IELTS/CELPIP for English or TEF/TCF for French) — aim for CLB 5+ in all four skills. Step 5: Gather required documents: Letter of Support, language test results, proof of settlement funds, police certificates, medical exams, birth certificates, marriage certificates, education credentials, and passport copies. Step 6: Submit your application online through the IRCC portal. Pay the processing fees: $2,140 per principal applicant ($1,625 processing + $515 right of PR fee), $1,365 per accompanying adult, $230 per dependent child. Step 7: Wait for processing. Current processing times are approximately 12-24 months but can vary. You may receive a request for additional information or an interview. Step 8: If approved, complete the Confirmation of Permanent Residence and arrange your landing in Canada.
Work Permit While You Wait
One of the program's practical advantages is that you can apply for a work permit to come to Canada and begin building your business while your PR application is being processed. This work permit is tied to your start-up venture and allows you to actively operate the business in Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit, and your children can apply for study permits. The work permit application is processed separately from your PR application and is typically faster (1-4 months). Coming to Canada on a work permit is strategically valuable: it demonstrates your commitment to the business, allows you to build relationships with your designated organization, helps you understand the Canadian market firsthand, and gives your children time to settle into Canadian schools. If your PR application is ultimately refused, you can remain in Canada on your work permit until it expires. The work permit does not guarantee PR approval — they are independent assessments.
What Makes a Strong Application
IRCC and designated organizations evaluate your business based on innovation, scalability, and job creation potential. A strong application includes: a technology or business model that is genuinely innovative — not just a copy of an existing Canadian business; a clear target market in Canada or globally with validated demand; a realistic financial model showing how the business will generate revenue and eventually create Canadian jobs; a founding team with relevant experience, technical skills, or domain expertise; traction (existing customers, revenue, partnerships, or a working prototype) significantly strengthens your application; and a clear explanation of why Canada is the right market for your business. Red flags that weaken applications include: generic or vaguely defined business ideas, unrealistic financial projections, no relevant experience in the proposed industry, businesses that appear designed solely to facilitate immigration rather than genuine commercial ventures, and applications where the entrepreneur cannot articulate the value proposition clearly. The designated organization will conduct their own due diligence — they are risking their reputation and, in the case of VCs and angels, their money. Their evaluation focuses on commercial viability and your capability as an entrepreneur.
Costs and Processing Times
Total government fees for a single applicant are approximately $2,140 CAD ($1,625 processing + $515 right of PR fee). For a family of four (2 adults, 2 children): approximately $5,100 CAD. Additional costs include language tests ($300-400), medical exams ($200-400 per person), police certificates ($50-200), document translation and notarization ($200-1,000), and potential legal/consulting fees ($5,000-15,000 if you use an immigration lawyer or consultant). The investment from your designated organization is not a cost to you — it's an investment in your business. However, equity dilution varies: VC funds typically take 20-40% equity for their $200,000+ investment, angel groups take 10-25%, and incubators may take 5-10% or none. Current processing times for the Start-Up Visa PR application are approximately 12-24 months, though IRCC has been working to reduce backlogs. Work permit processing is faster at 1-4 months. Processing times vary based on application complexity, country of origin, and IRCC capacity. Applications with strong supporting documentation and clear business plans tend to be processed faster.
After Approval: Building Your Business in Canada
Once you receive permanent residence, you have the same rights as any Canadian permanent resident: live, work, and study anywhere in Canada; access to universal healthcare; social benefits; and a path to citizenship after 3 years of physical presence. Your permanent residence is not conditional on the success of your business. If the venture fails, your PR status is unaffected — you can pivot to a new business, find employment, or pursue other opportunities. However, your obligation to the designated organization depends on the terms of your investment agreement. Canada's start-up ecosystem is vibrant and growing. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Waterloo, Calgary, and Ottawa are major tech and innovation hubs. Government programs like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), and provincial innovation grants provide additional funding opportunities. Networking is essential — join local entrepreneurial communities, attend startup events, and connect with other SUV entrepreneurs through organizations like Startup Canada, MaRS Discovery District, and Communitech. Many SUV alumni report that the connections made through their designated organization and the broader Canadian startup ecosystem were as valuable as the investment itself.