You can apply for the Start-up Visa Program as an individual or as part of a group of up to 5 owners. Either way, you need to meet certain requirements:
- have a qualifying business
- get a letter of support from a designated organization
- meet the language requirements
- bring enough money to settle
Have a qualifying business
To qualify under this program:
- each applicant must hold 10% or more of the total voting rights
- applicants and the designated organization together must hold more than 50% of the total voting rights
If your application is successful, you need to
- incorporate your business in Canada
- provide active and ongoing management of your business from inside Canada
- make sure an essential part of business operations happens in Canada
Get a letter of support from a designated organization
Designated organizations are business groups that have been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups.
You’ll need to
- contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support
- convince the organization you have a business worth supporting
- get a letter of support from the designated organization
The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. This is an immigration document used to evaluate your application.
Designated organization caps
Until December 31, 2026
Each calendar year, we’ll only be considering 10 complete group applications per designated organization. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you apply after the annual cap is reached, we’ll return your application and reimburse the processing fees.
What is a complete group application?
Each member must submit their own permanent residence application before we can process any of them. Once a group has submitted a complete application, it will count as 1 of the designated organization’s 10 possible submissions for the year.
If any group member doesn’t pass the completeness check, the application will still count against the cap.
Work in Canada while we review your application
While your application for permanent residence is being processed, you can apply for a temporary work permit to get to Canada and start building your business.
Meet the language requirements
You need to take achieve Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking (English or French) to qualify for an SUV.
Your results need to be from a language test done by an approved agency.
Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada won’t support you financially as a start-up visa immigrant.
When you apply, you’ll need proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can’t borrow this money from another person.
The amount you need depends on the size of your family. We update these amounts every year.
Minimum amount of money you need to immigrate to Canada based on the size of your family
Updated June 3, 2024
| Number of family members | Funds you need (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $14,690 |
| 2 | $18,288 |
| 3 | $22,483 |
| 4 | $27,297 |
| 5 | $30,690 |
| 6 | $34,917 |
| 7 | $38,875 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member, add | $3,958 |
How much money should you bring?
Find out how much it costs to live where you’re planning to settle in Canada.
Bring as much money as possible to make moving to Canada and finding a home easier.
Voting rights
Voting rights are the right of a business owner to vote within a company. The right to vote is attached to each share of a business that is outstanding at a given time.
