Canada: Start-up Visa (SUV) Program
The Start-up Visa Program allows founders of approved startups to move to Canada with their family.
Benefits
- Bring family
- Path to Permanent Residence
- Renewable after 1 year
- High standard of living
- Beautiful nature
- Progressive, stable society
Introduction
The Start-up Visa Program allows innovative entrepreneurs and their family to move to Canada permanently.
Spanning North America with both Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Canada has unrivaled natural beauty and plenty of opportunities to explore—in fact, it’s the 2nd largest country in the world, but is home to only 0.48% of the world’s population. A progressive society committed to equality, Canada’s cosmopolitan cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver welcome people from around the world.
Internet Speed
Fixed broadband: 174.53 Mbps download/74.35 Mbps upload
Mobile: 85.91 Mbps download/ 12.34 Mbps upload
Cost of living
No. 26 globally
Requirements
$10,042 bank balance ($12,817 for a couple, $18,740 for a family of 4) for personal expenses.
Startup funded by an approved investor or accepted into an accelerator. Must have a letter of support from a designated organization.
Startup must:
- Be innovative or technology based.
- Have potential to create jobs in Canada.
- Have potential to compete globally.
Startup should be based in Canada and meet business structure requirements.
The Startup Visa Program is not valid in Quebec.
Fees
- Fees start at $1,623
Application Process
You can apply to this program online.
You can also apply by mail. First, download the application forms from the application package.
Fill them out on a computer, print the completed forms, and sign them by hand.
Pay your fees.
Submit your documents by mail to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
This visa takes 12-16 months to process. You may be asked to provide biometrics while your visa is processing.
You may be eligible to apply for a short-term work permit while you wait for your Start-up Visa to be processed.
Documents Required
- Application forms
- Copies of passport for applicant and all dependents
- Proof of language proficiency (English or French)
- Proof of family relationships such as marriage or birth certificates, evidence of common-law partner status
- Police clearances from every country where you have lived for six months or more, since you were 18 years old
- 2 photos from every member of family (even if they are not accompanying you)
- Proof of fee payment
- Proof of funds, such as bank certification letter, proof of bank balance, or deposit statements
- Letter of support and commitment certificate from a designated organization
- Business plan, “pitch,” or other business materials required by supporting organization
- Self-addressed mailing labels: 1 in English or French and 1 in the national language of the country in which you live
Submit your documents by mail or online. Additional documents may be requested. Consult the official document checklist for details.
