Start-Up Visa Program - Business Immigration to Canada

In order to get Permanent Residence through the Start-Up Visa program, you need to meet the following criteria:

Qualifying Business

When you receive a Letter of Support from a Designated Organization:

• Each applicant must hold 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
  AND
• All applicants must jointly hold 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 provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
• An essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
• This business is incorporated in Canada

Letter of Support

Our law office works with you to meet the Designated Organization's due diligence requirements.

• Designated Organization application process
• Assist with Business Plan and Financial Projections
• Incorporation of Business
• Team member/investor recruitment services
• Due Diligence documentation
• Communication with Incubators and IRCC
• Interview preparation
• IRCC Compliance

The process of getting a Letter of Support 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.

Language Requirements

You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas:

• speaking
• reading
• listening
• writing

Financial Requirements

Start-Up Requirements

• Must be able to show that the Start-Up has enough funds to sustain itself.
• Total amount of investment varies from business to business.
• It is advisable that the Start-Up team have at least $150,000 to $200,000 to invested in the business.
  • This amount can be pooled from all Start-Up team members.
• IRCC often audits and we want to ensure that a reasonable amount of investment is available to satisfy the government.

Applicant Requirements

• Individual team member applicants have their own financial requirements.
• The personal funds required depends on the number of family members in your application.

Start-Up Incubators

Business Incubator Information:

• Incubators act as mentors/business advisors while you run the Start-Up. During the processing of your application, you must keep in contact and update the Incubator. IRCC also communicates with Incubators to monitor progress.
• You will need a Letter of Support from the business Incubator (Designated Organization) in order to be eligible for the Start-Up Visa program.
• The process of getting a Letter of Support 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.
• Once the Incubator approves, you get the Letter of Support and sign a term contract to join the Incubator. The term for the contract varies per Incubator, but it typically ends when you get your PR status.
• Incubators charge "incubation fees" for their services and the Letter of Support. This also varies per Incubator.

Work Permit

• You can apply for a Work Permit and come to Canada to work on your Start-Up while your PR application is processing.
• Work Permit applications are processed faster than PR applications (3 - 6 months).
• You and your family can settle down in Canada while your PR application decision is made.

When you apply for a Work Permit, your accompanying dependents can also apply for their own Work Permits, Study Permits, or Visitor Permits. The Permits will be issued for a duration of one year.

Timeline

Though the processing timeline can vary based on individual circumstances, below is a general guide of what to expect:

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