Startup Visa

Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) allows foreign entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residence in Canada through business immigration. Owners of innovative start-ups or established foreign companies may be able to use this program to permanently relocate to Canada along with other founding partners (up to 5 partners), provided that they meet other requirements for the program.

Below is the list of requirements as set by the Canadian immigration authorities for entrepreneurs who wish to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the SUV program:

• Foreign nationals must get a Letter of Support or investment commitment from one of the Designated Organizations in Canada
• Each foreign national must own at least 10% of the shares in the startup. Foreign nationals and their Designated Organization must jointly have more than 50% of the total shares (voting rights) in the start-up venture
• Each applicant must meet the minimum English or French language skill at CLB level 5
• Each applicant must have sufficient funds to settle in Canada (depending on the size of the applicant’s family)

In addition to the above, to be successful in this program, entrepreneurs should be prepared to also meet the following basic criteria:

• Ownership of an innovative or successful business that is generating scalable and sustainable revenue or has strong market validation
• Access to capital fund your start-up venture
• Have highly specialized knowledge or unique experience in your field or have solid managerial experience
• Have an upper-intermediate level of English and/or French language skill(s)