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SUVP
Start-up Visa Program
Expand your Start-up in Canada
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
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:
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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
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- 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).
your business idea or venture must get the support of one or more of the designated organizations listed below:
- Venture capital funds
- Angel investor groups
- Business incubators
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 won’t 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.
IELTS: You must take the “General Training” option.
| CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| 9 and above | 8.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants.
When you apply, you’ll need to give 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.
| Number of family members |
Funds required (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,310 |
| 2 | $16,570 |
| 3 | $20,371 |
| 4 | $24,733 |
| 5 | $28,052 |
| 6 | $31,638 |
| 7 | $35,224 |
| For each additional family member | $3,586 |
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How The Program Works
1- If you want to immigrate to Canada through this program, you need the support of a Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator that is willing to invest in your new business.
2- If the investor, business incubator or angel investor group decides to support your business idea, they will provide you with a letter of support and send a completed Commitment Certificate directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Commitment Certificate provides the relevant details of the commitment between you and the investment organization.
Once you have your letter of support, you will be ready to apply for a Startup Visa, assuming you meet the other qualifications.
We offer Unique Services to Support of Start-Up
Daily support from experts to help your business face every challenges and develop.
Our team of lawyers and business intelligence experts offer a one-stop solution for start-ups, entrepreneurs and immigrant investors seeking to establish their businesses in North America.
Our team will navigate you through complex corporate and immigration laws. We will help your business relocate and incorporate, and help you or your key foreign employees and hires to obtain work authorizations. Our business intelligence experts can help you prepare business plans and expansion strategies to guide your new business to profitability by ensuring that you and your key foreign employees obtain authorization to work and develop your business in Canada.
Relocation Services
- Help with relocation to Canada
- Filling out documentation
- Applying for Start-Up Visa
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Providing Office Space
Marketing Services
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Canada/US Market Research
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Help with getting the product ready for market
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Introductions to partners in Canada
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Representation of your company in Canada
Development Help
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Help with software(web) development
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Mentorship in AI / ML / Big Data technologies
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Help with hiring new developers
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Team extension services