Canada's Immigration Program for business entrepreneurs

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 The Start-Up Visa (SUV) program is Canada's flagship federal immigration pathway for innovative entrepreneurs. Its unique model connects immigrant founders with designated Canadian private-sector organizations (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators) that are approved to invest in or incubate their business idea. The key advantage of the SUV is that it provides successful applicants and their families with immediate permanent residence, allowing them to focus on launching and growing their business in Canada from day one. 

Experienced entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea that has significant potential for growth, job creation, and global competitiveness. 

• Letter of Support: A commitment from a designated organization (e.g., a minimum investment of $200,000 CAD from a VC fund or $75,000 from an angel group, or acceptance into a business incubator program).
• Language Proficiency: Minimum language proficiency of CLB 5 in English or French.
• Settlement Funds: Proof of sufficient unencumbered funds to settle in Canada for you and your family.
• Qualifying Business: Meet the ownership and activity requirements for the business.

Approximately 3 to 4 years  (as of early 2025). Processing times are estimates and can vary based on application complexity and IRCC volumes. 

To improve processing and focus on the most promising startups, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced two key changes:

• Application Cap: Each designated organization can only support a maximum of 10 startups for new permanent residence applications per year.
• Priority Processing: Applications backed by Canadian capital (venture capital or angel investors) or by a business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network will receive prioritized processing. This applies to both new applications and those already in the inventory.

Contact us today for a personalized assessment of your eligibility and guidance through the application process. 

An experienced entrepreneur with significant personal net worth seeking to establish a business in British Columbia.

 An experienced entrepreneur with significant personal net worth seeking to establish a business in any region of British Columbia. 

• Business Experience: Minimum of 3 or 4 years of business ownership or senior management experience.
• Personal Net Worth: Minimum of $600,000+ CAD (depending on the business location), legally obtained and verifiable.
• Minimum Investment: Invest at least $200,000 CAD to $400,000+ CAD into the new or existing business.
• Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (more may be required).
• Language Proficiency: Not a mandatory requirement for the Base Stream.
• Active Management: Must actively manage the business day-to-day from within BC.

 The process is multi-staged. After initial application and approval, a work permit is issued to implement the business plan. Permanent residence is recommended after successfully establishing the business and meeting all conditions, a process that typically takes 3-4 years in total. 

The Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot is a unique pathway to permanent residence for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to actively start and manage a new business in a smaller, participating community outside of British Columbia’s major metropolitan areas. This program emphasizes community economic development and requires applicants to first secure a referral from one of the participating communities, ensuring a good fit between the business idea and local needs. 

An experienced entrepreneur seeking to integrate into and contribute to the economic growth of a smaller BC community. 

• Community Referral: Secure a referral from one of the participating communities in BC.
• Business Experience: Minimum of 2 years of business ownership or senior management experience.
• Personal Net Worth: Minimum of $300,000 CAD, legally obtained and verifiable.
• Minimum Investment: Invest at least $100,000 CAD into the new business.
• Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Language Proficiency: Achieve a minimum of CLB 4 in English or French.

The process occurs in stages. After an Expression of Interest and invitation, the work permit stage can take several months. Permanent residence is granted after successfully establishing the business and meeting all conditions, which typically takes 3-4 years from initial application to PR. 

Canada's Self-Employed Persons Program offers a pathway for eligible self-employed foreign nationals with experience in cultural activities or athletics to attain permanent residency in Canada. 

As per the Canadian government, a self-employed person is a foreign national with relevant experience and the intent and capability to be self-employed in Canada, contributing significantly to specified economic activities in the country. 

A key benefit of this program is that it doesn't mandate education and language qualifications for approval.

Minimum Eligibility Requireemnt

• Self-employed experience 2 out of the last 5 years (non-consecutive possible);
• Obtain minimum points threshold based on the age, work experience, education, and language;
• Provide a business plan on setting up a business in the same field in Canada (our office will provide the information to help you prepare this plan);
• Prove recognition or world-class activity within your profession in the country you are working (i.e. media and industry recognition, prizes, awards, international event participation, etc).

Effective April 30, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a full pause on accepting new applications for the Self-Employed Persons Program.  While no new applications are being accepted, IRCC will continue to process applications already in the system during this pause.