Canada
Start-Up Visa Program

Eligibility Criteria for the Canada Start-Up Visa Program:

Qualified immigrant entrepreneurs can apply for permanent residency in Canada under the Start-Up Visa Program. The Canada Start-Up Class is the official name for it. However, it is more often known as the Start-Up Visa program (SUV Program).

The initiative aims to connect innovative entrepreneurs with private sector investors in Canada who can help them launch a new firm. Candidates can come to Canada on a work permit backed by a recognized Canada-based investor, and/or apply for permanent residence before launching the operations of the new Start-up company.

The Start-Up Visa Program aims to attract foreign Entrepreneurs and give them permanent residence in Canada if they are willing to start a business that qualifies with the following major criteria:

• Is an innovative business
• Can create jobs for Canadians
• Can compete on an international level

For detailed information on the eligibility criteria, fill out our online questionnaire and we will call you back.

As opposed to other immigration programs for Canada, Start-Up Visa Program has no quota system limiting the intake of new applications until now.

Canada Start-Up Visa Requirements:

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

1. Have a qualifying business that meets the following conditions: (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)
   • 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
   • At the time you receive your permanent residence:
     • You must provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
     • The essential part of the operations of the business must happen in Canada
     • The business must be incorporated in Canada
2. Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization
   • Designated organizations are Canadian venture capital funds, angel investors, and business incubators who all have their own application process and selection criteria.
     • To do so, you must propose your company concept to the organization and persuade them that it is worthwhile to sponsor.
     • Each organization’s approach to presenting a business concept will be different.
     • If your pitch is successful, the organization will provide you a letter of support, which you must submit with your start-up visa application.
   • It will be important to find the best match for your business idea. JTH Lawyers will help you find such designated organizations to facilitate the whole process.
3. Meet the language requirements (CLB 5 out of 12, the equivalent of expressing and understanding basic thoughts)
   • You must take a language exam from an approved organization and demonstrate that you can speak, read, listen, and write at the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French.
4. Have enough money to settle in Canada
   • When you arrive in Canada, you must demonstrate that you have enough money to sustain yourself and any dependents. The quantity you will require is determined by the size of your family.
5. Undergo security and medical clearance at the permanent resident visa application step.