A residency pathway leading to Canadian citizenship and long-term settlement
Canada is a member of the G7 and has consistently demonstrated strong economic performance over the past decade. Its diversified economy, transparent legal system, and pro-business environment make it a reliable destination for entrepreneurs and investors.
Beyond economic strength, Canada is known for its high standard of living and family-oriented lifestyle. The country is home to globally recognised cities that combine thriving business ecosystems with vibrant cultural scenes, excellent education systems, and advanced healthcare services.
Canada’s natural environment is equally impressive. From dramatic coastlines and expansive forests to mountain ranges, open plains, and unspoiled shorelines, the country offers extraordinary geographic diversity. It also holds some of the world’s largest reserves of natural resources, including significant freshwater supplies and energy resources, reinforcing its long-term sustainability.
The Canada Start-up Visa (SUV) Programme was introduced by the Canadian government in 2013 as a pilot initiative and became a permanent immigration pathway in 2018.
The programme is designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs with scalable business concepts that can be developed and operated in Canada. It focuses particularly on technology-driven and high-growth start-ups that have the potential to create employment opportunities for Canadians and compete internationally.
To qualify, applicants must receive support from a government-approved Designated Organization (DO), such as a business incubator, angel investor group, or venture capital fund. These organisations assess the business concept and, if approved, provide the necessary endorsement. Investment commitments typically range from CAD 75,000 to over CAD 200,000, depending on the type of organisation involved.
The programme is industry-agnostic, provided the business is original, innovative, and aligned with Canada’s economic objectives.
Applicants must hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to the shares of the qualifying corporation. Combined ownership between applicants and the designated organisation must exceed 50%.
A mandatory requirement of the programme is obtaining a Letter of Support (LOS) from an authorised Designated Organization. These organisations are approved by the Canadian government to evaluate, mentor, and support start-ups under the SUV programme and include incubators, angel investor networks, and venture capital firms.
Applicants must demonstrate language ability at a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 in either English or French. This requirement applies across reading, writing, listening, and speaking and must be verified through approved testing agencies.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following financial criteria to qualify as an accredited investor:
Personal annual income of at least USD 200,000, or USD 300,000 combined with a spouse
Financial assets totalling at least USD 1 million, including spousal assets
Net assets of USD 5 million or more, including spousal assets
While post-secondary education and business management experience are advantageous, they are not compulsory. The primary requirements are meeting the language threshold and receiving approval from a Designated Organization.
Permanent resident status granted through the Start-up Visa Programme is not dependent on the ongoing success of the business. If the start-up fails after approval, the individual’s permanent residence status remains unaffected.
Processing times may vary, but applicants typically receive permanent resident status within approximately three years of applying through the Start-up Visa Programme. After meeting residency requirements, individuals may apply for Canadian citizenship after five years.
A Canadian passport provides visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorisation (eTA) access to 172 countries worldwide. This includes visa-free entry to the United States for up to 180 days. Globally, the Canadian passport consistently ranks among the top ten strongest passports.
