What is Start-up Visa (SUV) Program?

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. If you have an innovative business idea and can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.

​

Benefits of Start-up Visa Program

• No personal net worth required

• No education required

• No specific business experience required

Eligibility of Start-up Visa Program

​

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:

• Have a qualifying business.

• Get a letter of support from a designated organization (Capital Fund, Angel Investor or Incubator). If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support

• Meet the language requirements. Score IELTS (General Training) in the last 2 years: minimum Listening 5.0; Speaking 5.0; Writing 5.0 and Reading 4.0.

• Bring enough money to settle down in Canada.

• ​

For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:

• The intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada.

• The candidate must own at least 10 percent of the voting rights in the corporation.

• No other person can hold 50 percent or more of the voting rights in the corporation.

• Up to five candidates may have their permanent residence application supported by the same business investment.

​

Do you know?

• If an entrepreneur has a viable start up business project, it will take about 4-6 months to secure a commitment certificate/letter of support from a designated entity. Once a letter of support is received, the application for permanent residence can be submitted.  It will take approximately 18-months to finalize the application to visa issuances.

• You are not required to have working experience in the related industry and management.

• You do not need to have completed a program at a post-secondary institution to apply. To meet the education requirements, you need to demonstrate only that you were a student in good standing for at least one year at a post-secondary institution.

​

There are a variety of start-up business projects that are currently looking for talents to join the team. Contact us if you are interested in being a part of those projects.