What is the Startup Visa? The Start-up Visa (SUV) Program gives foreign entrepreneurs a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence, provided they have a qualifying business idea and secure a commitment from a designated Canadian organization. Up to 5 founders can apply under a single startup.
Startup Visa Eligibility Checker
3 Types of Designated Organizations
| Organization Type | Minimum Investment / Commitment | What They Provide |
|---|---|---|
| Venture Capital Fund | $200,000 CAD minimum investment per startup | Letter of Support confirming the investment commitment |
| Angel Investor Group | $75,000 CAD minimum investment per startup | Letter of Support confirming the investment commitment |
| Business Incubator | No minimum funding — acceptance into program | Acceptance letter into the designated incubator program |
Note: If multiple founders are applying together, each founder must meet the language and other requirements independently, but only a single Letter of Support / acceptance is needed for the startup as a whole.
Core Eligibility Requirements
- Essential Role in Business: You must own at least 10% of voting shares in the startup. Collectively, all applicant founders (not holding companies) must hold more than 50% of voting shares.
- Language — CLB 5 Minimum: You must achieve at least CLB 5 in all 4 abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing) on an IRCC-approved test (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French).
- Active Business: The startup must not be a passive investment. You must demonstrate you will actively manage and run the business from Canada.
- Settlement Funds: You must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members in Canada (e.g., $13,757 CAD for 1 person; $17,127 for 2; $21,055 for 3 — 2025 IRCC figures).
Bridge Work Permit While Waiting for PR
Because Startup Visa PR applications can take 12–36 months to process, IRCC offers a Temporary Work Permit (TWP) Bridge to allow applicants to live and work in Canada while their PR is being processed.
- Open Work Permit: The bridge work permit issued is an open work permit, meaning you are not tied to a specific employer — you can work for your own startup freely.
- Eligibility: The bridge work permit is only available after IRCC confirms your PR application is eligible for processing (i.e., you have received an "acknowledgement of receipt" from IRCC).
Processing Times: The Startup Visa program has seen processing times of 35–45 months due to high demand as of 2025. IRCC has committed to processing within 16 months for new applications, but check the official IRCC processing times page for current estimates before applying.