Canada Start-Up Visa Program

Eligibility Requirements for the Canada Start-Up Visa

To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa Program, you must meet the following four main requirements:

1. Qualifying Business

Your business must meet these requirements at the time you receive your permanent resident visa:

• Your business must be incorporated in Canada.
• An essential part of the business operations must happen in Canada.
• The business must be actively managed from within Canada.
• Each applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights.
• The applicants and the designated organization must collectively hold more than 50% of the total voting rights.

2. Letter of Support from a Designated Organization

This is a crucial step. You must get a letter of support from a designated organization, which is a business group approved by the government of Canada to invest in or support start-ups. There are three types of designated organizations:

• Venture Capital Funds: You must secure a minimum investment of CAD$200,000.
• Angel Investor Groups: You must secure a minimum investment of CAD$75,000.
• Business Incubators: You must be accepted into one of their programs; no minimum investment is required.

The organization will send a Commitment Certificate directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and you will receive a Letter of Support to include in your application.

3. Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate a minimum proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French for all four language abilities:

• Speaking
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing

You must take an approved language test from an agency designated by IRCC and include the results with your application.

4. Proof of Settlement Funds

You must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependent family members after you arrive in Canada. The Canadian government does not provide financial support to SUV program immigrants. The required amount is updated annually and depends on the size of your family.

Here is a table showing the minimum settlement funds required as of August 2025:

The Canada Start-Up Visa Application Process

The process involves several key steps:

1. Develop Your Business Idea: Conceptualize an innovative business that has the potential to create jobs and compete on a global scale.
2. Contact a Designated Organization: Pitch your business idea to a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator) to secure their support.
3. Get a Letter of Support: Once your idea is accepted, you will receive a Letter of Support, and the organization will send a Commitment Certificate to IRCC.
4. Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including your Letter of Support, language test results, and proof of funds.
5. Submit Your Application: Complete and submit the online application for permanent residence through the IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal.
6. Undergo Medical and Security Checks: All applicants and their family members must undergo a medical examination and obtain police certificates.

Recent Program Updates and Processing Times

The Canada Start-Up Visa program has recently undergone several changes to address backlogs and streamline the process.

• Processing Times: As of August 2025, the official processing time for a permanent residency application under the SUV program is approximately 51 months. However, these times can vary.
• Application Caps: To manage the high volume of applications and reduce backlogs, the government has imposed an annual cap of 10 complete group applications per designated organization. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Open Work Permit: In October 2024, the government introduced a new measure allowing essential members of a start-up to apply for an open work permit with a duration of up to three years. This allows entrepreneurs to work and support themselves and their families while their permanent residency application is in process. This is a significant improvement over the previous one-year closed work permit.

The Canada Start-Up Visa is an excellent option for innovative entrepreneurs seeking to build a life and a business in Canada. The program’s recent updates aim to make the process more efficient and competitive, attracting high-quality businesses that will benefit the Canadian economy.