The Canada Startup Visa is not a visa. This is one of the main misconceptions regarding this program. It is a permanent residency immigration program, with an option for a work permit prior to arrival for the approved applicants.

The Startup program administered through the Canadian Federal government for applicants to immigrate to Canada by starting and/or moving their business and creating jobs.

The Startup immigration program in Canada is designed for innovators and entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build and/or grow their businesses in Canada.

The key factors in determining applicants is based on the following:

• Innovation of the business
• Potential to create jobs for Canadians
• Globally scalable business

This program is possible for all provinces except Quebec.

All potentially eligible applicants and/or businesses should receive a support letter from a designated organization in Canada (approved list by the Canadian government). The designated organizations in Canada can include incubators, angel investors, and/or venture capital. Our licensed immigration office in Canada assists potential applicants and businesses to apply for the support letter.

• Each Startup consist of a group between 1-5 applicants;
• Each applicant within this group should hold 10% or more voting rights attached to their shares in the corporation. In case one of the designated organizations in Canada decides to invest in the company (Angel Investor or Venture Capital) all applicants in the group and the designated organization should jointly hold 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation. Incubators do not typically invest or request shares in the Startup Company;
• Each applicant must obtain a language proficiency result of minimum CLB 5 by taking the IELTS / TEF / or CELPIP;
• Each applicant and their dependant families have to obtain a criminal record certificate from their home country and/or countries which they have resided for more than 6 months since they were 18;

• Settlement funds based on the regulations set by the Canadian government. This figure is based on the number of family members coming to Canada. Each year this figure is adjusted as per inflation figures;
• At least one of the group members for this Startup Visa application will be an “ essential “ applicant. In case the essential member(s) are denied permanent residency due to medical , criminality, or authenticity of documents/information on their application, all members of this Startup Visa group will be denied entry to Canada;
• After the support letter is issued for the Startup group, the members names issued on the letter will be able to apply for their Permanent Residency. A confirmation of permanent residency is issued through the Canadian embassy for the applicants within the group to enter Canada;
• After the support letter is issued, and during the time the Permanent Residency is under process, applicants can apply for their work permits to enter Canada prior to their Permanent Resdencies.

Typical Mistakes and misconceptions regarding this program:

• This is not a visa based program. The Startup Visa program allows approved applicants to apply directly for permanent residency;
• The Startup Visa group can be a member of an existing company which has been in operation for more than 2-3 years. It does not necessarily need to be a new company or idea. A better established company may have a higher chance of becoming selected by a designated organization in Canada for a support letter.

Our services for Startup Visa groups / applicants:

• We assist in the presentation of the company / innovative concept to the designated organizations in Canada to obtain a support letter;
• We consult and assist on the business plan, pitch deck, and strategy and presentation of the Startup business / concept;
• We prequalify and assess potential new applicants and companies on whether they would be likely to be selected by the designated organizations.

Key industries that are prioritized by designated organizations in Canada for the Startup Visa program:

* This is not an exclusive list and based on the stage at which the Startup is at, various designated organizations accept innovative ideas from various industries.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality (VR & AR)
• Cybersecurity
• Agritech
• Foodtech
• Biotech
• Cleantech
• Marine tech