The Canada Start Up Visa offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs backed by a designated organisation, but new intake has been paused. This page sets out the reported position for Chinese nationals and names the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
When open, the Start Up Visa was available to entrepreneurs regardless of nationality, which included Chinese nationals. There was no nationality specific bar reported for Chinese applicants.
Because new intake has been paused, the practical position for a Chinese national starting fresh today is that no new application can be filed. Confirm the current status and any successor route with the official authority before planning around this programme.
The route required support from a designated organisation, meaning a venture capital fund, an angel investor group or a business incubator approved by the authority, which would issue a commitment certificate. Applicants and the designated organisation together had to hold more than half of the voting rights in the business.
Reporting also cites a language requirement at Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 and proof of settlement funds, commonly cited at a minimum near CAD 15,263 for a single applicant. These figures change, so confirm the current criteria with the official authority.
With new intake paused, there is no open application window for new applicants. Reporting indicates that holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate were given a window into the middle of 2026 to submit their application.
A new entrepreneur pilot has been signalled for 2026, with details to be communicated by the authority. Watch the official authority for the launch and rules of any successor route rather than relying on the paused programme.
When open, costs included government processing fees per applicant, settlement funds you must show but keep, and any costs set by the designated organisation, which were independent of the government. Because the route is paused, treat any cost planning as provisional. We do not name or rank firms or designated organisations. To compare vetted independent advisors, use Get Matched below.
| Item | Reported position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New intake | Paused | No new applications reported as accepted from late December 2025 |
| Existing commitment certificate holders | Window into 2026 | Valid 2025 certificate holders given time to apply |
| Settlement funds, single applicant | Around CAD 15,263 | Confirm the current figure with the official authority |
| Successor route | Entrepreneur pilot signalled for 2026 | Details to be announced by the authority |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
New intake has been paused, so a new applicant cannot file today. There was no nationality specific bar for Chinese nationals when the route was open. Confirm the current status with the official authority.
Reporting indicates holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate were given a window into 2026 to submit their application. Confirm your own deadline with the official authority.
A new entrepreneur pilot has been signalled for 2026, with details to follow. Watch the official authority for the launch and its rules.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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