Canada Start-up Visa: An Innovative Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Canada Start-up Visa Program is designed to attract ambitious entrepreneurs from around the world who wish to build innovative businesses in Canada. This program offers a unique opportunity for business founders and their families to obtain Canadian permanent residency by launching a qualifying start-up with the potential to compete on a global scale.

Applicants must create a new, innovative business that meets the criteria set by the program. To qualify, the start-up must be supported by a designated Canadian angel investor group, venture capital fund, or business incubator. The business must be incorporated and actively managed in Canada, with the applicant holding at least 10% of the company’s shares and voting rights, and the combined ownership of the applicant and the designated organization must be over 50%.

The program stands out for its flexibility and advantages. There are no age limits, no strict requirements on the source or path of funds, and family members—including spouses or partners and dependent children under 22—can be included in the application. Successful applicants enjoy the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, benefit from Canada’s world-class healthcare and education systems, and may apply for citizenship after three years of permanent residency.

With a streamlined process and fast approval times—typically within 12 to 16 months—the Canada Start-up Visa is one of the most attractive options for entrepreneurial talent seeking security, mobility, and the chance to participate in Canada’s thriving innovation ecosystem.