Federal Start-up Visa
The Start-Up Visa program is unique to Canada and has been implemented to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to come to Canada, build businesses and stimulate economic growth.
A program such as the Start-Up Visa expects a limited number of applicants due to its narrow focus, but the focus of the program is on the quality and achieving a track record of success.
To be accepted as an applicant in the start-up business class, a foreign national must:
- have obtained a written commitment for a total investment of at least $75,000 by one or more designated angel investor groups,
- or have obtain a written commitment for a total investment of at least $200,000 by one or more designated venture capital funds,
- or have been accepted into a Canadian business incubator program,
- have the commitments signed by a person with proper authority,
- have attained the specified level of language proficiency,
- have the appropriate funds required to settle and live in Canada.
In cases where there is more than one applicant concerning the same business, if an applicant deemed essential to the business is refused permanent residency, then the other applicants will be classified as not having met the requirements and their applications will be refused as well.
In certain scenarios, peer reviews may be required to assess the commitment. The peer review panel is not under the Minister’s control and the officer deciding whether or not the applicant meets the requirements for the visa does not necessarily need to consider the assessment.
For more information, please contact us.
Important Immigration Court Decisions
