Startup Visa Program

The Startup Visa Program (SUV) is Canada’s flagship immigration programme for entrepreneurs seeking permanent residency in the country. Individuals who meet the requirements for the Startup Visa Program may apply for permanent residency in Canada.

The Start-up Visa Program is designed for foreign nationals who want to start an innovative business in Canada that will create jobs for Canadians. Foreign nationals can start a business on their own or with a group of partners. The group can only have 5 foreign national partners.

The SUV program’s goal is to boost Canada’s competitiveness in global markets.

How does the Startup Visa Program work?

Persons who are interested in immigrating to Canada as entrepreneurs through the Start-up Visa Program begin by receiving support from an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to support their start-up business in Canada.  Designated organizations include:

• Business incubators and accelerators;
• Angel Investor Groups; and
• Venture Capital Funds (VCs).

The list of designated organizations changes from time to time.
These organizations are approved to invest in or support the development of an entrepreneur or a group of entrepreneurs wishing to start up a business in Canada.
You must then meet several immigration requirements in order to qualify for the SUV program.