Start-Up Visa Program

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you need to meet four main eligibility requirements, as follows:

1. Have a qualifying business

The business venture must qualify which means you must hold at least 10% of the voting rights across all shares of the company. The designated organization and the applicant must also jointly hold more than 50% of the voting rights in the business.

The applicant must have the business incorporated in Canada and must operate and manage the business from Canada.

2. Commitment from a designated organization

The applicant must have a letter of support from a designated organization. A designated organization is a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.

To obtain this support, you to have pitch your business idea to the organization and demonstrate the benefits to them of investing in or supporting it. Once you have secured a designated organization, they will provide a Letter of Support. This needs to be included in your Start-up Visa application.

Unlike federal and provincial investor programs, where applicants must invest their own capital, no investment of your own funds is required with a Start-up Visa. Instead, the funding or support is secured from a designated organization. Note that you do however need settlement funds to show you can support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.

3. Language requirement

As part of the Start-up Visa application, you must evidence your language ability. For this, you must take an English or French language test from an approved agency. You need to show that you meet the minimum level 5 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

4. Proof of funds

You need to be able to show that you have sufficient funds to live in Canada in the initial period before you are able to take money from your business. This means having enough money to support yourself and any dependents once you arrive in Canada. The amount you need depends on the size of your family:

• Single applicant – $13,213 CDN
• 2 family members – $16,449 CDN
• 3 family members – $20,222 CDN
• 4 family members – $24,553 CDN
• 5 family members – $27,847 CDN
• 6 family members – $31,407 CDN
• 7 family members – $34,967 CDN
• For each additional family member: $3,560 CDN

In addition to the above four mandatory requirements, you must also meet the admissibility requirements to enter Canada, which are applicable to all applicants, not just Start-up Visa Program applicants. You and your family members must be in good health and have no criminal record.

To be eligible for Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, you must prove that your business is supported by a designated organization.

A designated organization is a business group that is approved by the Canadian government to invest in or support start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program.

You must secure the following investment or support via a designated organization:

• Angel Investor Group – An investment of at least $75,000 CDN
• Venture Capital Fund – An investment of at least $200,000 CDN
• Business Incubator Program – Acceptance into a designated business incubator program (no investment capital is required)

To secure the above investment or support, you’ll need to contact the organizations you feel could be a match for your venture and arrange to pitch to them. Each organization has its own pitching process and requirements that businesses must meet. For example, they may request an in-person presentation of your business idea or a comprehensive business plan.

The list of designated organizations is available here. You can consult this list to find potential matches for your business venture.

If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, they will send you a Letter of Support. This Letter of Support acts as proof that you have support from a designated organization for your business proposal. Letters of Support are valid for six months from their date of issue.

You will need the Letter of Support for your Startup Visa application. If you don’t include the letter of support your application can be refused.

The designated organization that is supporting your business venture will also send a commitment certificate directly to IRCC.

You can submit your application online, or as hard-copy via the mail.

The Start-up Visa Program application requires you to provide documentation to show you meet all four main requirements, as well as significant supporting documentation such as medical exams and police certificates. The full range of documents can vary depending on your circumstances and your business proposal, but in general, you’ll need to submit the following:

• Personal documentation such as passport
• Photographs
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Provide proof of language proficiency
• Letter of Support from your designated organization
• Language test proof
• Police certificates and clearances
• Proof of settlement funds such as bank statements
• Receipt of payment of Start-up Visa fees

Sending your application

If you wish to send your application by mail, your completed forms, supporting documents and fee payment should be sent in a single envelope of size 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″), to one of the IRCC’s addresses in Sydney, Nova Scotia on this page.

”Start-up business visa” should be written on the outside of the envelope.

Note that you must print out this document checklist and sign it. This must be included as the cover page of your application. You must also send 2 self-addressed mailing labels.

Unless specifically requested, copies of documentation (not originals) should be sent. You should keep a copy of the completed application and forms.

Medical Exams

You will need to take a medical exam before being able to move to Canada, and your family members must also have one, even if they aren’t coming with you. IRCC will send you a letter to inform you how to get the medical exam, after they receive it.

Biometrics

Biometrics are your id in the form of your fingerprints and photo. For every permanent residence application, you submit, even if you gave your biometrics in the past, you’ll need to give your biometrics. This applies to anyone between the ages of 14 and 79.

You will receive a letter from IRCC asking you to have your biometrics taken and where you can go. You must show this letter when you give your biometrics. Biometrics are given in person, and you must do this within 30 days from the date on the letter. Once IRCC receives your biometrics, they start processing your application.

Processing time

Applications are typically processed within 12 to 16 months. However, if you would like to begin working in Canada prior to approval of your permanent residence application, you may apply for a temporary work permit.

If your application is successful, the principal applicant and all accompanying family members will immediately receive permanent residence status in Canada.

All applicants for the Start-up Visa Program must demonstrate proficiency in one of Canada’s two official languages, English or French. To prove your language skills, you must take a language test given by an agency that is approved by IRCC, and include the results with your application.

You’ll need to show proof of your English or French ability at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 or higher. The test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.

Canadian immigration authorities currently accept English and French test results from the following test agencies:

English (CELPIP G-Test)

• Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.

English (IELTS)

• Cambridge Assessment English
• IDP Australia
• The British Council

French (TEF Canada)

• The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry

French (TCF Canada)

• France Education International (FEI)

Note that Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centers are not approved testing agencies for those applying for a Start-up Visa.

Here’s what you need to do for language testing:

• Arrange for testing by an approved agency
• Pay the necessary fees
• Include copies of your test results with your visa
• Submit your original test along with your application

In most cases, the fees for the Start-up Visa Program are as per the below.

Main applicant

• $1625 CDN – Application fee
• $515 CDN – Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)

Accompanying family

• $850 CDN – Application fee for spouse/common-law partner
• $515 CDN – Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) for spouse/common-law partner
• $230 CDN – Application fee for each dependent child

The RPRF is refunded if you withdraw your application, or if it is refused by IRCC.

You’ll also most likely need to pay the Biometrics fee – currently, this is $170 CDN.

Additionally, there are third-party fees such as language tests, medical exams, police certificates, and translation of documents fees, if applicable.

IRCC provides a fees wizard (tool) that tells you the exact fees you need to pay depending on the chosen immigration pathway. You can also pay the necessary fees via this tool, by creating an account.

The Start-up visa application needs to meet many requirements including securing a designated organization and submitting an array of supporting documents. There are also protocols to follow when sending your documents and application to the IRCC.

At Total Law we understand that there is a lot at stake when you’re planning to start a new business in a new country. Our immigration attorneys specialize in Canadian immigration visa programs, and will be happy to assist you with this important step.

We offer a tailor-made service that includes the following:

• Expert review of your situation
• Assessment of your eligibility for the Start-up Visa
• Support with preparing to pitch to designated organizations
• Detailed support or direct handling of all stages of the application including:
  • document gathering
  • language testing
  • medical exams
  • police certificates
  • correct submission of the application form and documentation
  • application for a temporary work permit (if needed)
• Liaison with IRCC on your behalf

Contact us via our quick online enquiry form, or call us on +1 844 290 6312 to discuss the best way we can help you make Canada your new permanent home.