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The START-UP Visa Program in Canada

Updated: Jun 2, 2023


 

Canada is one of the best countries in the world to be an entrepreneur, with a thriving start-up scene, low taxes, and plenty of funding options. It’s also very friendly to entrepreneurs who come from other countries and want to start their businesses in Canada.

If you’re thinking about applying for a start-up visa but aren’t sure what it entails, Ansari Immigration is a great choice.


Here are some details on the program and how you can get started.


Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program


Qualified immigrant entrepreneurs can apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Start-Up Visa Program. Ansari immigration can help make your application for permanent residency in Canada through the Start-Up Visa Program a successful one.

The Canada Start-Up Class is the name given to it formally. But the Start-Up Visa program (SUV) is the name given to it most often.

The initiative seeks out creative entrepreneurs and connects them with Canadian investors from the private sector who will aid in the establishment of their start-up businesses.

Before becoming eligible for permanent residency after their business is operational, candidates can initially enter Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canada-based investor.


Three different types of private sector investors exist:

  • Angel Investor

  • Venture Capital Funds

  • Business Incubator


What Is a Designated Entity Under the Start-Up Visa Program?


A designated entity is a venture capital fund, company incubator, or angel investor in the Canadian private sector.

The following criteria must be met under the start-up visa program:

  • The qualified startup must receive an investment from a designated angel investor group of at least $75,000. Additionally, candidates are eligible if two or more investments totaling $75,000 come from angel investor groups.

  • A designated venture capital fund must certify that it is making an investment of at least $200,000 in the qualifying business. Candidates may also be accepted provided they have received a minimum of two commitments from approved venture capital funds totaling $200,000.

  • The applicant must be accepted into the program of a designated business incubator.

Eligibility Requirements for the Start-Up Visa


The following basic prerequisites must be met by applicants for the Start-Up Visa:

  1. Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate: A letter of support from a designated investor group is required for applicants. The applicant must convince a designated venture capital fund or angel investor group to invest in his or her proposed business to get a letter of support. Additionally, the investing organization will be required to send a Commitment Certificate outlining the specifics of the agreement established with the applicant directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

  2. Language Prerequisite: The candidate must be able to work and communicate in either English or French. Candidates must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 in either English or French and provide results of a language exam from an authorized agency.

  3. Sufficient Settlement Funds: The applicant must have adequate settlement funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada. The amount of money needed varies depending on how many family members the applicant will be traveling with.

  4. Medical and Security Clearances: The applicant and accompanying family members must go through a security check and a medical assessment, as is the case with all Canadian immigration programs, to see if they pose a security threat or have a medical condition that would put an undue burden on the country's healthcare system.

Peer Review Process


To prevent fraud and ensure the commitments are genuine, the Canadian government has selected associations to examine the agreements between investment organizations and applicants.


Final Thoughts


To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the Canadian government started a program called Start-Up Visa, making it easier for international entrepreneurs to create their own businesses in Canada.

This means that if you have an idea for a new business, you can now start up your company in one of the most desirable countries in the world. Ansari Immigration will be ever willing and delighted to guide you through that process to avoid common application mistakes.

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