Business Visa / Immigration

Canada welcomes successful businesspeople who are seeking new opportunities and challenges. The Business Immigration Program is designed to encourage and facilitate the admission of these individuals. Both the federal and provincial/territorial governments welcome business immigrants and offer services to help immigrants start a business and settle in Canada.

Start-up Business:

Canada’s Start-up Visa program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada (outside Quebec) that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.Your application to come to Canada under the Start-up Business Class will be assessed on a pass/fail basis against three requirements:

• Requirement 1: Commitment from a Designated Entity
• Requirement 2: Ability in English, in French, or both
• Requirement 3: Settlement Funds

If you meet all three requirements indicated above, then you may qualify to immigrate to Canada under the Start-up Business Class. Below are detailed descriptions of all the requirements that are to be assessed. Carefully review the following information and then decide if you want to apply under this class.

Requirement 1: Commitment from a Designated Entity

Private sector organizations demonstrate their support of your business idea by providing you with a Letter of Support, which details the commitment they are willing to make towards your new business. They will send further details in the form of a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC for assessment.For your application to be eligible for processing, you must have received a Letter of Support from one of the following:

• A designated angel investor group confirming that it is investing at least $75,000 in a qualifying business or two or more designated angel investor groups confirming that they are together investing a total of at least $75,000 in such a business
• A designated venture capital fund confirming that it is investing at least $200,000 in a qualifying business or two or more designated venture capital funds confirming that they are together investing a total of at least $200,000 in such a business
• A designated business incubator that confirms that it is accepting a qualifying business into its program

You must include your Letter of Support with your application. If you do not, your application will be returned to you as incomplete. Each Letter of Support is valid for a period of six months from the date it was issued. This means that IRCC must receive your application for permanent residence under the Start-up Business Class within six months of the Letter of Support being issued.

Requirement 2: Ability in English, in French, or both

The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important for you as a business immigrant. Proficiency in English, French, or both will help you in the Canadian labour market.You meet the language proficiency requirement for the Start-up Business Class if you have a level of proficiency of at least benchmark level 5 in either official language for all four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. You will be assessed on the following language skill areas:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing

You must provide proof of your language proficiency with your application.

Requirement 3: Settlement Funds

The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to business immigrants. You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada. The money must be available to support the costs of living for yourself and your family. The funds must be:

• Available and transferable
• Free of debts or other obligations

You cannot borrow this money from another person. The amount of money you need to support your family is determined by the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year. Check the Proof of Funds page to make sure you have the most recent information.You must submit proof of settlement funds with your application. If you do not, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you as incomplete. For proof of funds, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money. These letters must:

• Be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead
• Include their contact information (address, telephone number, and email address)
• Include your name
• List outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans
• Include, for each current bank and investment account:
  • Account numbers
  • The date each account was opened
  • The current balance of each account
  • The average balance for the past six months

Sufficient funds are determined according to the applicant’s family size, including both accompanying and non-accompanying family members, using 50% of the current low-income cut-off (LICO) for urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more. We strongly recommend that you research the cost of living in the region of Canada where you intend to live. To make your establishment in Canada easier, bring as much money as possible with you to Canada.You should be aware that Canadian legislation requires persons entering Canada to declare cash funds of $10,000 CDN or more. You will have to disclose these funds to a Canadian official upon arrival. Cash funds mean:

• Money (coins or bank notes)
• Securities in bearer form (stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills, etc.)
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form (bank drafts, traveller’s cheques, money orders, etc.)