Business Immigration
Start-up Visa 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
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.
Note: The Province of Quebec is in charge of its own business immigration program. If you plan to live in Quebec, visit Quebec’s immigration website.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
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
Get a letter of support from a designated organization
You must get a letter of support from a designated organization (a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups).
You will need to:
- contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support
- convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting
- get a letter of support from the designated organization
The process of pitching your idea 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.
If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.
The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. The IRCC will use both your letter of support and the organization's commitment certificate to assess your application. Please note, we may ask you for more business information to take a final decision on your application.
If you do not include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, the IRCC will refuse your application.
Did you know?
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. See work permits for start-up visa applicants.
Meet the language requirements
The ability to communicate and work in English, French, or both languages will help your business succeed in Canada.
You must take a language test from an approved agency and include the results with your application, or we will not process it.
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
Use your test results to find your CLB level.
If you do not meet the minimum language skills, the IRCC will refuse your application.
Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants.
When you apply, you will need to give proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person.
The amount you need depends on the size of your family. The IRCC updates these amounts every year.
How much money should you bring?
Find out how much it costs to live where you are planning to settle in Canada.
List of designated organizations, start-up visa
To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, your business idea or venture must get the support of one or more of the designated organizations listed below:
Designated organizations are business groups that are approved to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program.
Organizations choose which business proposals to review. Each organization has its own intake process for proposals and criteria used to assess them. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
If an organization decides to review your business idea, it will assess the potential of your proposal and whether or not it will succeed.
If an organization chooses to support your business idea, it will give you a Letter of Support.
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Self-Employed
The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed person.
If you are interested in this program, you must:
have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada.
Note: The province of Quebec runs its own business immigration program. If you want to live in Quebec, visit Quebec’s immigration website.
Who can apply?
To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must have:
Relevant experience
Your experience is relevant if you have:
- taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level
- OR
- been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics
Definitions
Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience.
It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day the IRCC makes a decision on your application.
You can get more points if you have three, four, or five years of experience.
At a minimum, your experience must be:
- for cultural activities:
- a. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in cultural activities, or
- b. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in cultural activities, or
- c. a combination of a one-year period described in (a), and a one-year period described in (b)
- for athletics:
- a. 2 one-year periods being self-employed in athletics, or
- b. 2 one-year periods participating at a world-class level in athletics, or
- c. a combination of a one-year period described in (a) above, and a one-year period described in (b) above
Selection criteria
We assess you on selection criteria that include your:
- experience
- education
- age
- language abilities
- adaptability
Medical, security checks, and other requirements
You and your family members must have a medical exam and get police certificates.
You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.
Self-employed person: Selection criteria
To qualify as a self-employed immigrant, you must:
- meet the definition of a self-employed person
- get a minimum of 35 points after we grade you based on our five selection criteria and point system
Your score
Your maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points, but it may change. Make sure you visit this site regularly if you are thinking about immigrating to Canada as a self-employed immigrant.
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