The Canada Start-up Visa (“SUV”) Program offers entrepreneurs and their families the opportunity to obtain permanent residence status upon developing a qualifying innovation business in Canada with support from a designated entity.

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

Do you have an innovative business idea? If you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.

The program requirements are as follows:

• The Proposed Venture is a Qualifying Business

A venture is considered a qualifying business under the SUV program if, at the time the commitment is made:

a. The applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the venture outstanding at that time

b. The designated organization and the applicant jointly hold more that 50% of the voting rights in the business

c. The applicant’s intention is to have a venture

• In which the applicant provides active and ongoing management from within Canada
• For which an essential part of its operations is conducted in Canada;
• That is incorporated in Canada
• Commitment Confirmation from a Designated Entity

To support the fact that the proposed venture involves an innovative business idea that has the potential to compete on a global scale and can create jobs for Canadians, the applicant must receive one of the following:

a. An investment of at least $75,000 from a designated angel investor group;

b. An investment of at least $200,000 from a designated venture capital fund.

c. Acceptance into a business incubator program by a designated business incubator.

• Commitment Confirmation from a Designated Entity

The applicant must have a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or French

• Settlement Fund Requirement

The applicant must show that he has the financial resources to support himself and his dependents. For further information on the settlement fund requirement