The Canada Start Up Visa offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs backed by a designated organisation. This page explains the current paused position for Pakistani nationals and points you to the official source.
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.
The Start Up Visa has never set a Pakistan specific bar, so the eligibility rules apply to Pakistani nationals in the same way as to other applicants. The decisive issue right now is timing, not nationality.
Because the route is paused for new applicants, a Pakistani entrepreneur who does not already hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate cannot start a fresh application at this time. Confirm the live position with IRCC before planning around this route.
Applicants need a letter of support from a designated organisation, which can be a venture capital fund, an angel investor group or a business incubator. The investment thresholds reported for these supporters are CAD 200,000 from a designated venture capital fund and CAD 75,000 from a designated angel group, while an incubator accepts the applicant into its programme.
Up to five people can apply as owners of one business. Each owner must hold at least ten percent of the voting rights, and the applicants together with the designated organisation must hold more than half of the voting rights.
Even before the pause, processing took a long time and depended on the file. With the route now closed to new commitment certificates, the immediate question is whether you fall inside the narrow remaining filing window rather than how long a fresh case would take. Confirm with IRCC.
Beyond the support of a designated organisation, applicants must show settlement funds and pay government processing fees. The settlement funds figure reported for a single applicant is CAD 15,263, with higher amounts for larger families. Confirm the current figures with IRCC.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Designated venture capital investment | CAD 200,000 | Minimum reported investment from a designated fund |
| Designated angel investment | CAD 75,000 | Minimum reported investment from a designated angel group |
| Settlement funds, single applicant | CAD 15,263 | Higher amounts apply for larger families |
| Government processing fees | Confirm with the official authority | Set by IRCC, subject to change |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Only if they already hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate, and even then the filing window is set to close on 30 June 2026. IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates after the end of 2025. Confirm the live position with IRCC.
Yes, a successful Start Up Visa application leads to permanent residence, which can in time support a path to citizenship under separate Canadian rules. Confirm the current rules with IRCC.
Applicants must show a minimum level of English or French across all four abilities at the level set by IRCC. Confirm the current requirement with 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.
We introduce you to vetted, independent advisors, in confidence and at no obligation. Your topic is noted for you below.
Independent and paid by the people we help, never by a government and never by a firm.
One short email when a programme rule changes, with the official source named so you can verify it. No hype, unsubscribe anytime.