SUV VS EB-5
Canada Start-up Visa (SUV) vs the US EB-5
If the sums required for US investment immigration are a burden, consider the Canadian Start-up Visa: a smaller investment and a more secure route to permanent residence.
SUV VS EB-5
Start-up Visa or US investment immigration — what is the difference?
| Criterion | Canada Start-up Visa | US EB-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment / fees | From USD $100,000 | From USD $800,000 to $1,050,000 |
| Job creation | No job creation requirement | At least 10 jobs required |
| If the business fails | No effect on permanent residence | Permanent residence can be lost |
| Time to permanent residence | 1-3 years | 5-7 years |
| Family | Yes (spouse and children under 22) | Yes (spouse and children under 21) |
CONCERNS
Worried about the size of the investment and whether you will actually get status?
If these are the concerns that came up while you were looking at the US EB-5, the Canadian Start-up Visa may suit you better.
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The $800,000-plus investment is a lot to carry
US investment immigration means putting in more than $800,000. Pulling that kind of money together is a heavy financial burden.
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If the business fails, I could lose my status
It makes me uneasy that I only keep permanent residence if the business succeeds. If it goes wrong, I could lose my status along with it.
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Pick the wrong fund and the money may not come back
It matters a great deal whether the investment firm is trustworthy. Choose badly and the capital may never be returned, or may be lost outright.
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US immigration law keeps changing
Policy shifts could raise the investment threshold or alter the program, so I worry about where the EB-5 will be in a few years.
WHY SUV
Canadian start-up immigration: a smaller investment, and permanent residence approved first
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A smaller investment
Compared with the US EB-5, permanent residence costs far less. It is a strong alternative if a large investment is out of reach.
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Secure permanent residence
You keep your permanent residence even if the business fails, so the risk is low. Your right to live in Canada does not depend on how the business performs.
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Open work permit
You can apply for an open work permit before permanent residence is approved, so you can move to Canada early to start the business or work in another field.
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Benefits for your spouse and children
Your spouse can work freely on an open work permit, and your children are educated free of charge in the public system through to the end of high school.
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Citizenship, then access to the US
You can apply for citizenship three years after obtaining permanent residence. As a citizen, a job offer alone can open the door to working in the US without a work visa.
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Free health coverage, a stable base
Canada is a safe place to educate children and health coverage is free, which makes for a stable long-term settlement.
WHO CAN APPLY
Who can apply for the Start-up Visa
The program is open not only to entrepreneurs with their own business idea, but also to experienced professionals who would rather join an existing venture and obtain permanent residence through an investment in it.
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You have a business idea
You have a genuinely innovative business idea to build out in Canada and you want to establish yourself here.
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You want to join a team
You do not have an idea of your own, but you have experience in marketing, finance, sales, design, IT, education or a similar field and want to join a team as a member and investor.
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements for the Start-up Visa
A Designated Organization must review your business plan and either commit an investment or accept you onto its start-up program, and you must incorporate a company in Canada.
- A real, commercially viable company
- A Letter of Support from a Designated Organization
- Language ability of CLB 5 (English or French)
- At least 50% ownership in total (at least 10% per applicant)
- Proof of minimum settlement funds
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When can I move to Canada?
How long does the Letter of Support (LOS) take?
Can I work freely before permanent residence is approved?
When is permanent residence approved?
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