Canada's Start-Up Visa Program: A Guide for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Canada's Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program is a permanent immigration pathway for innovative entrepreneurs who want to build their business in Canada. Unlike investor programs requiring large capital deposits, the SUV program focuses on the quality of your business idea and its potential to create Canadian jobs and compete globally.

Eligibility Requirements

• Qualifying business: you and up to 5 co-founders must hold at least 10% of voting rights each; combined applicants + designated org must hold more than 50%
• Letter of support from a designated Canadian organization
• CLB 5 language proficiency in English or French
• Sufficient settlement funds

Three Routes to a Letter of Support

• Venture Capital Funds: Must invest at least $200,000 CAD — most competitive route
• Angel Investor Groups: Must invest at least $75,000 CAD — more accessible
• Business Incubators: No minimum investment — simply be accepted into a designated incubator (Creative Destruction Lab, Ryerson DMZ, Communitech, Waterloo Accelerator Centre, and others)

Application Process

1. Develop your innovative, scalable business concept
2. Research and apply to designated organizations
3. Receive Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate
4. Submit PR application to IRCC
5. Apply for a temporary work permit to start building your business while waiting for PR

Processing and Tips

PR processing takes approximately 35-48 months as of 2026. A bridging work permit lets you operate your business during this time. Target incubators first — most accessible route, many have virtual programs. Focus on sectors Canada prioritizes: cleantech, AI, healthtech, and agtech.

Official: IRCC Start-Up Visa.