Canada's Start Up Visa offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs who win the backing of a designated Canadian investor organization and build an innovative business. Intake is tightly limited in 2026.
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 connects entrepreneurs with a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator. If a designated organization commits to support the venture, the founders can apply for permanent residence. Unlike many investor routes, it grants permanent residence from the start rather than a temporary permit.
In recent years Canada has placed caps on the programme and slowed processing. As of 2026 intake is limited and Canada is not designating new organizations. Check the current position with the official authority before you commit time or money, because the rules here have moved several times.
To qualify you generally need a letter of support from a designated organization, a qualifying business where you hold at least 10 percent of the voting rights and where you and the designated investors together hold more than half the voting rights, enough settlement funds, and the required language test result in English or French. A designated venture capital fund must commit at least 200,000 Canadian dollars, while a designated angel investor group must commit at least 75,000 Canadian dollars. A business incubator does not invest money but must accept you into its programme.
Securing support from a designated organization can take many months, and the permanent residence application that follows adds further processing time. Caps and pauses can extend the wait. The official authority publishes current processing times. Treat any single figure as indicative and confirm before you plan.
There is no fixed government investment you must make yourself. Your costs include the capital your business needs, the settlement funds you must show, government application fees, the biometrics fee, language testing, and professional help. The table lists indicative items. Confirm each figure with the official authority.
A successful application grants permanent residence in Canada for the founders and their accompanying family, with a path to citizenship under the general rules after enough time as a permanent resident. Permanent residence is not tied to the business succeeding, although applications are assessed for genuine intent. Verify current rights and obligations with the official authority.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Designated venture capital commitment | 200,000 Canadian dollars | Minimum the fund must invest |
| Designated angel group commitment | 75,000 Canadian dollars | Minimum the group must invest |
| Business incubator | No cash investment | Must accept you into the programme |
| Settlement funds | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Set by IRCC and updated regularly |
| Government and biometric fees | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Application and processing fees |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Intake is capped and processing is limited in 2026, and Canada is not designating new organizations. The route is not fully closed but openings are scarce. Confirm the current position with the official authority.
There is no set personal investment. The designated organization provides the qualifying support, though a venture capital fund or angel group must commit a minimum amount. You must still show settlement funds and fund your business. Confirm figures with the official authority.
Yes. The programme grants permanent residence from the outset, with a later path to citizenship under the general rules. Verify 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.
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