CA flagResidency by Investment · Americas

Canada Start-Up Visa

Direct permanent residence for entrepreneurs with a backed venture.

Direct PR Path to citizenship Entrepreneur route

Minimum investment

CAD 200,000

Processing time

Varies (PR on approval)

Grants

Residence permit

Region

Americas

Overview

Canada's Start-Up Visa grants permanent residence to entrepreneurs whose business secures support from a designated investor or incubator, a direct PR route, with a path to Canadian citizenship.

Investment routes

Qualifying options for this programme. We model each against your goals.

Designated VC investment

From an approved venture-capital fund

CAD 200,000

Angel investor

From a designated angel group

CAD 75,000

Business incubator

No fixed investment

Acceptance

Key benefits

  • Permanent residence for you and your family on approval
  • Path to Canadian citizenship after meeting residence requirements
  • Live, work and study anywhere in Canada
  • No net-worth or management-experience threshold

Requirements

  • A qualifying business with required ownership and control
  • Support from a designated investor, angel group or incubator
  • Meet language and settlement-funds requirements

Family inclusion

Spouse and dependent children are included on the application.

What to weigh

  • Approval hinges on securing designated-organisation support for a viable business.
  • Processing times vary and have lengthened in recent years.

Where it takes you

A selection of notable destinations this programme unlocks.

Live & work in Canada Path to citizenship

Frequently asked

Is Canada Start-Up Visa right for you?

We'll tell you honestly, including when another programme, or simply waiting, would serve you better.