Canada residence by investment

The Canada Start-Up Visa Program is an immigration initiative that grants permanent residence to immigrant entrepreneurs who can establish innovative businesses in Canada, create jobs for Canadians, and compete on a global scale.  Based on business proposal at any stage of business (idea or mature business), the person intending to come to Canada can be considered for the status of PR.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have a qualifying business. Biggest emphasis on Innovation (which our firm helps define)
• Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator). Equivalent to business approval for deployment in Canada (which our firm helps procure)
• Meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in English or French (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 similar to IELTS5).
• Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. (discuss with our firm based on your family size)

A qualifying business means you hold at least 10% of the voting rights in the business, and together with the designated organization, you control more than 50% of the voting rights. Additionally, at the time you receive your permanent residence, the business must be incorporated in Canada, with essential operations conducted within the country.  Example: you own 25% and you have 4 more families applying with you in the same business proposal. Another example: you own 100% of the company with no other families applying with you with the same business proposal.

You need to pitch your business idea to a designated organization. Each organization has its own intake process and criteria. If they decide to support your business, they will provide you with a letter of support, which is a mandatory part of your application.  Our firm assists in such approvals with experience of hundreds of successful applicants.

Two parts to this answer. One about investment by the family that is proposing to start a business and the second investment is by an organisation that is reviewing the submission (designated organisation).

• 1st Investment for consultation, immigration fees, processing fees and ongoing support – depending on number of partners in business and family size.
• 2nd, the required minimum investments needed to be raised or incubation fees need to be paid to the designated organisations:
• Venture capital fund: At least CAD 200,000 to be raised (ask for investment) or
• Angel investor group: At least CAD 75,000 to be raised (ask for investment) or
• Business incubator: No financial investment required from incubator, but incubators charge programming fees upon acceptance.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by achieving at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. IELTS equivalent is IELTS5

The amount varies based on family size. For example, a family of four requires approximately CAD 27,297. These funds must be available and transferable to support yourself and your family upon arrival. More funds are needed if you intend to come under work permit. Business funds are quoted separately depending on the nature of business proposed to be launched in Canada.

Yes, up to five families can apply as owners of a single business. However, each must meet the eligibility criteria, and certain applicants may be designated as "essential" to the business. If an essential applicant's application is refused, all related applications will also be refused.  Example, one founder can have 10%, another 25% another 55% etc… as long as no one has less than 10% of voting rights in the business.

The Start-Up Visa Program is designed to attract entrepreneurs who will contribute to the Canadian economy. If your business fails, your permanent resident status remains intact. The Canadian government recognizes that not all businesses will succeed and does not penalize individuals for business failures.

Yes, if you've received a letter of support from a designated organization, you can apply for a temporary work permit to start building your business in Canada while your permanent residence application is being processed. As of October 2024 a 3 year open work permit became available in conjunction with this program.