Start-up visa

Get your business idea funded and immigrate to Canada permanently. Canada’s new Start-up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world. It links immigrant entrepreneurs with experienced private sector organizations who are experts in working with start-ups.

There are many reasons why Canada is the best place to build your business. Canada’s advantages include:

To be eligible to receive a start-up visa, you must:

Prove your business venture or idea is supported by a designated organization

Before you apply for the start-up visa, you must convince a designated organization to support your business idea. If the designated organization supports your business idea, it will give you a Letter of Support.

You must include your Letter of Support with your application as proof that a designated organization supports your business idea.

If you do not have a Letter of Support from a designated organization or do not meet any of the eligibility requirements below, your application will be refused.

Meet the language requirements

Being able to communicate and work in English, French or both will help your business in Canada.

You must prove your ability in English or French in these four areas:

  • speaking
  • reading
  • listening
  • writing

You must meet the minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French for all four language abilities.

If you do not meet the minimum language skills, CIC will refuse your application.

You must take a language test from an agency approved by CIC and include the results when you apply. If you do not, CIC will not process your application and CIC will return your fees.

Use your test results to find your CLB level.

Meet the education requirements

You must provide proof of your education with your application. Specifically, you will need:

  • proof of having completed at least one year of post-secondary education
  • proof that you were in good standing during at least one year while you were attending a post‑secondary institution

Your proof of education may be in the form of transcripts and a letter of good standing, or certificate or diploma or degree.

Have sufficient settlement funds

The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new Start-up business visa immigrants.

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. You must be able to use this money to support the costs of living for your family.

You will need to provide proof of your funds when you submit your application for immigration.

The amount of money you need depends on the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Number of
Family Members		 Funds Required
(in Canadian dollars)
1 $11,824
2 $14,720
3 $18,097
4 $21,971
5 $24,920
6 $28,105
7 or more $31,291

How much money should you bring?

Find out how much it costs to live where you are planning to settle in Canada.

Bring as much money as possible to make moving and finding a home in Canada easier.

Disclosure of funds

If you are carrying more than C$10,000, tell a Canadian official when you arrive in Canada. If you do not tell an official, you may be fined or put in prison. These funds could be in the form of:

  • cash
  • securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
  • negotiable instruments in bearer form (for example, bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders).