Start-Up Visa Program

The start-up visa program aims to connect entrepreneurs with designated organizations. The designated organizations are private Canadian Angel investor groups, venture capital fund organizations, and business incubators. The start-up visa’s unique feature is that the applicants do not have to invest their own money, and the business must be new, as the name implies.

Requirements

• Have a business or an eligible business
• Have a letter of support from any of the designated organizations
• Have a language proficiency of CLB 5 in either English or French
• Provide proof of sufficient settlement funds
• Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec
• Up to five applicants can submit one application, as long as the applicants hold at least 10% of the voting rights individually and 50% collectively with the designated organization.