PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Start Up Visa

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

Requirements

Start Up Visa

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

  1. Have a qualifying business- a qualifying business means you created a 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); AND
      • 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 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
  2. Get a letter of support from a designated organization
  3. 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
  4. Bring enough money to settle