Residency by Investment
in Canada
This residency programme provides a route to Canadian citizenship, allowing people to live and work in Canada.
CAD225,000
18+ Months
Route to Citizenship
Why is Canada a popular investment location?
Canada is a member of the G7 and, over the last 10 years, has had one of the strongest economies in the world.
The North American country offers a modern, family-friendly way of life. It is home to numerous top-notch cities providing a wide variety of corporate settings, active social scenes, and a plethora of cultural activities.
Canada’s natural beauty is unparalleled, with stunning maritime coasts, vast forests, rugged mountains, expansive grasslands, and pristine seashores. With the second-largest oil reserves and the fourth-largest freshwater supply globally, Canada is a treasure trove of natural resources that inspires awe and appreciation.
About the Canada Residency by Investment programme
The Government of Canada launched the Start-up Visa (SUV) program in 2013. It was initially launched as a pilot program but was made permanent in 2018.
The program aims to attract talented entrepreneurs to Canada with innovative, technology-related ideas that may be successfully launched in Canada.
The authorised Designated Organization (DO) must accept the business idea to ensure that start-ups meet the government’s criteria and make a minimum investment ranging from CAD 75,000 to over CAD 200,000.
The SUV program is sector-agnostic as long as the start-up is innovative, unique, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale, thereby qualifying and meeting the government’s guidelines.
How to obtain the Canada Start-up Visa
Qualify business
Secure 10% or more of the shareholding of the corporation outstanding.
Letter of support from a Designated Organization (DO)
Get a Letter of support (LOS) from one of the various Designated Organizations (DOs) the government has trusted to administer and mandate the SUV program, such as incubators, angel groups and venture capital groups.
Language requirements
The applicant must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French, as determined by the approved agencies.
Accredited investor
The applicant must be an accredited investor by satisfying one of the following criteria:
- Individual income of $200,000 or combined with spouse $300,000
- Financial assets of $1 million (including spouse’s)
- Net assets of at least $5 million (including spouse’s)
Contact our Citizenship by Investment Expert
Canada FAQs
Is post-secondary education and/or business management experience required?
While both are preferred, they are not mandatory to apply. However, you must pass the Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in reading, listening, writing and speaking in English or French to qualify for the SUV program.
What if the start-up business fails? Would my PR status be revoked?
The PR status is not tied to the success of the business. Therefore, if the business fails, it does not impact your permanent resident status.
How long does it take to obtain PR and Canadian citizenship?
While timeframes can vary, obtaining permanent resident status via the SUV program takes an average of three years. Applicants can then apply for citizenship after five years.
How strong is the Canadian passport?
Canadian passports grant visa-free/visa-on-arrival/eTA access to 172 countries worldwide, including visa-free/180-day permit access to the United States of America. The Canadian passport has a global rank of 7th in the PASSPORT POWER RANK index.