START-UP VISA (SUV)

Canadian start-up immigration

A single innovative idea can secure permanent residence for your whole team and their families. Build the business and obtain permanent residence at the same time, with a modest investment and free schooling for your children.

ABOUT SUV

What is the Start-up Visa?

The Canadian Start-up Visa (SUV) program began as a pilot and has run as a full federal permanent residence program since 2018.

It is designed to attract promising entrepreneurs with competitive technology or business ideas. Up to five people can apply as a group, and permanent residence is approved before you need to leave your home country.

WHO CAN APPLY

Who can apply for the Start-up Visa

The program is open to experienced professionals as well as entrepreneurs. SP Consulting draws on years of accumulated know-how to support both the business itself and your permanent residence application.

You have a business idea

You have a genuinely innovative idea to build out in Canada and you want to establish yourself here.
You want to join a team

You do not have an idea of your own, but you have professional experience in marketing, strategy, finance, sales, design, IT, education or a similar field and want to join a business as a team member and investor.

BENEFITS

Advantages of the Canadian Start-up Visa

The benefits extend beyond the principal applicant to every member of the group and their accompanying families, and permanent residence is approved before the business begins. Because the venture is funded through a designated investment organization, it starts on a stable footing.

No capital or investment threshold

There is no set minimum capital or investment requirement.
Bring your family

Your spouse and children under 22 can accompany you.
Citizenship after 3 years

You can apply for citizenship three years after obtaining permanent residence.
PR approved before you move

Permanent residence is approved before you enter Canada, which makes the move secure.
PR for every applicant (up to 5)

All members of a group of up to five can obtain permanent residence.
Work permit available in advance

You can apply for a three-year work permit while permanent residence is being processed.
Settle anywhere you choose

It is a federal program, so you are free to choose where in Canada you settle.
Independent of business success

Your permanent residence stands whether or not the business succeeds.

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.

01 A qualifying business The company must be real and commercially viable, and must meet the requirements set by IRCC. Each applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights, and the applicants together with the designated organization must hold more than 50%. Up to five applicants are permitted.
02 A Letter of Support (LOS) from a Designated Organization This is the central requirement. You secure a commitment of investment from a Designated Organization, or enrol in its start-up program, and receive a Letter of Support. Option 1, venture capital: a commitment of at least $200,000. Option 2, angel investor group: a commitment of at least $75,000. Option 3, business incubator: acceptance onto the program with a commitment of support.
03 Meet the language requirement You must demonstrate CLB 5 or above in each of the four abilities (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) in English or French. Accepted English tests are IELTS (General), CELPIP (General) and PTE Core; accepted French tests are TCF Canada and TEF Canada.
04 Proof of minimum settlement funds You must show the minimum settlement funds for yourself and your dependants.