Canada•North America

Closed

SUV — Start-up Visa

Investment PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

Closed to new applications — December 31, 2025

The Start-up Visa Program is paused as of January 1, 2026. IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025. Applicants who hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate have until June 30, 2026 to submit their permanent residence application.

At a Glance

Processing Time

10 years

Estimated Cost

CAD $2,495

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Permanent residence

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

12% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$48,000

Quality of Life

170/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Permanent residence for entrepreneurs backed by a designated Canadian VC, angel, or incubator — program paused; only 2025 commitment-cert holders may apply by Jun 30, 2026.

Canada's Start-up Visa (SUV) grants permanent residence to entrepreneurs backed by a designated Canadian organization — a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. No personal investment is required; designated orgs assess the concept's innovation, scalability, and job-creation potential.

Applicants need CLB 5 in English or French, settlement funds (CAD 15,263 for one), and must hold at least 10% of voting rights — with applicants plus the designated organization together holding over 50%. The government fee is CAD 2,495 (1,895 processing + 600 RPRF). As of January 1, 2026 the program is paused: only holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate may apply, deadline June 30, 2026.

This visa is ideal for international entrepreneurs who already hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate from a designated Canadian organization and can file before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

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Cost Breakdown

Processing feeCAD $1,895

Right of Permanent Residence FeeCAD $600

TotalCAD $2,495

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Obtain a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator).

Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities).

Have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family.

Plan to settle in a province other than Quebec.

Pass Canadian security and medical clearances.

Meet ownership requirements: each applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights, and the applicants plus the designated organization must collectively hold more than 50% of the voting rights.

Actively manage the business with core operations in Canada.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

15,263 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Document Checklist (IMM 5760)

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)

Schedule 13 – Business Immigration Program – Start-Up Business (IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 13)

Letter of Support from a designated organization

Commitment Certificate

Proof of settlement funds

Language test results

Police certificates

Medical examination results

Passport or travel documents

Photos of all family members

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Permanent residence granted directly to applicant and accompanying family.
No requirement to invest personal funds into the business.
PR is retained even if the business venture fails.
No age limit for the principal applicant.
Spouse can work in Canada without restriction.
Access to publicly funded healthcare and education for children.
Direct pathway to Canadian citizenship after meeting residency rules.

Worth Knowing

Processing time is currently more than 10 years, far longer than other PR pathways.
Securing a commitment from a designated organization is highly competitive.
Business must be innovative, scalable, and create jobs for Canadians.
Not available to applicants intending to settle in Quebec.
Each applicant must hold at least 10% of voting rights; applicants plus the designated organization must hold over 50%.
Program paused as of January 1, 2026 — no new commitment certificates issued after December 31, 2025.
Only applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate may apply, deadline June 30, 2026.
Without a Letter of Support from a designated organization, the application cannot proceed.

Application Process

Secure a commitment from a designated organization (venture capital, angel investor, or incubator).

Obtain the Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate from the organization.

Prepare the permanent residence application package.

Submit the application to IRCC (online or by mail).

Undergo medical examinations and background/security checks.

Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon approval.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

IMM 0008

Generic Application Form for Canada

Fill online

Verified Claims (28)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Secure a commitment from a designated organization (venture capital, angel investor, or incubator).;…

canada.ca

Blockers

The Start-up Visa Program is paused for new applicants without a valid 2025 commitment certificate. …

canada.ca

Dependent Visa

Included in application

canada.ca

Discontinued

true

canada.ca

Discontinued At

2025-12-31

canada.ca

Discontinued Note

The Start-up Visa Program is paused as of January 1, 2026. IRCC stopped accepting new commitment cer…

canada.ca

Fee Breakdown

Processing fee: 1895 CAD; Right of Permanent Residence Fee: 600 CAD

canada.ca

Fees

From CAD 2,495 (varies by applicant/family size)

canada.ca

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

12% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$48,000

Quality of Life

170/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Permanent residence for entrepreneurs backed by a designated Canadian VC, angel, or incubator — program paused; only 2025 commitment-cert holders may apply by Jun 30, 2026.

This visa is ideal for international entrepreneurs who already hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate from a designated Canadian organization and can file before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Obtain a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator).

Meet minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all abilities).

Have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family.

Plan to settle in a province other than Quebec.

Pass Canadian security and medical clearances.

Meet ownership requirements: each applicant must hold at least 10% of the voting rights, and the applicants plus the designated organization must collectively hold more than 50% of the voting rights.

Actively manage the business with core operations in Canada.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

15,263 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Document Checklist (IMM 5760)

Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)

Schedule 13 – Business Immigration Program – Start-Up Business (IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 13)

Letter of Support from a designated organization

Commitment Certificate

Proof of settlement funds

Language test results

Police certificates

Medical examination results

Passport or travel documents

Photos of all family members

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Permanent residence granted directly to applicant and accompanying family.
No requirement to invest personal funds into the business.
PR is retained even if the business venture fails.
No age limit for the principal applicant.
Spouse can work in Canada without restriction.
Access to publicly funded healthcare and education for children.
Direct pathway to Canadian citizenship after meeting residency rules.

Worth Knowing

Processing time is currently more than 10 years, far longer than other PR pathways.
Securing a commitment from a designated organization is highly competitive.
Business must be innovative, scalable, and create jobs for Canadians.
Not available to applicants intending to settle in Quebec.
Each applicant must hold at least 10% of voting rights; applicants plus the designated organization must hold over 50%.
Program paused as of January 1, 2026 — no new commitment certificates issued after December 31, 2025.
Only applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate may apply, deadline June 30, 2026.
Without a Letter of Support from a designated organization, the application cannot proceed.

Application Process