Program Minimum Requirements.
Visa
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
Are innovative
Can create jobs for Canadians
Can compete on a global scale
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
Have a qualifying business
Get a letter of support from a designated organization
Meet the language requirements
Bring enough money to settle
At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization:
Each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners) AND
Applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
At the time you receive your permanent residence:
You provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
An essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
This business is incorporated in Canada
You must get a letter of support from a designated organization (a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups).
Contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support
Convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting
Get a letter of support from the designated organization
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
The organization will send s letter of support to the candidate and a Commitment Certificate to IRCC.
If you don’t include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, IRCC will refuse your application.
The ability to communicate and work in English, French or both languages will help your business succeed in Canada.
You must take a language test from an approved agency and include the results with your application, or IRCC won’t process it.
You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas