Move to Canada with your family on Start-up Visa
Skynet Immigration is a leading expert in Start-up Visa in Canada. We have received 9 LoS & 5 Work Permits.
What is a start-up visa
If you have a great business idea and want to bring it to Canada, the Start-Up Visa program is your ticket to making it happen. It’s a Canadian immigration program that provides permanent residency to entrepreneurs who can create jobs and contribute to the Canadian economy.
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
- are innovative
- can create jobs for Canadians
- can compete on a global scale
Do you have an innovative business idea? If you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.
Benefits Of The Start-Up Visa
Access to Canada's thriving business ecosystem
Canada has a strong and dynamic business ecosystem that provides entrepreneurs with access to a range of resources, including funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and government support programs. Through the Start-Up Visa program, entrepreneurs can tap into this ecosystem and leverage these resources to grow their businesses.
Opportunity to grow your business and create jobs in Canada
The Start-Up Visa program is designed to attract entrepreneurs who have the potential to create jobs and contribute to the Canadian economy. By launching their businesses in Canada, entrepreneurs can access a large and diverse market and tap into Canada's highly skilled workforce to help them grow their businesses.
Access to funding, mentorship, and other support programs
Entrepreneurs who participate in the Start-Up Visa program have access to a range of support programs and resources that can help them succeed. These include funding programs, incubators, accelerators, mentorship programs, and other resources that are designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed in Canada.
High quality of life for you and your family
Canada is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in. With its high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, and strong social safety net, Canada offers entrepreneurs and their families a safe and welcoming environment in which to live and work.
Pathway to Canadian citizenship
The Start-Up Visa program is a pathway to permanent residency in Canada, which can ultimately lead to Canadian citizenship. By becoming a Canadian citizen, entrepreneurs can enjoy all the benefits of Canadian citizenship, including the ability to vote, access to government programs and services, and the ability to live and work in Canada without restriction.
Start-Up Visa Requirements
HAVE A QUALIFYING BUSINESS IDEA
GET A LETTER OF SUPPORT
MEET THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking a language test approved by the Canadian government. This is to ensure that you can communicate effectively in Canada.
PROOF OF FUNDS
You must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members who will be accompanying you to Canada. The amount of funds required will depend on the size of your family.
PASS SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCES
You must undergo security and medical clearances to ensure that you are admissible to Canada. This includes a criminal background check and a medical examination.
Skynet Immigrations services for Start-up Visa
Assessing your eligibility for the Start-Up Visa program
Skynet Immigration and Consultants can help assess an entrepreneur's eligibility for the Start-Up Visa program. They will review the entrepreneur's business plan, education, work experience, and language proficiency to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for the program. Skynet Immigration will provide feedback on the entrepreneur's eligibility and offer advice on how to improve their application
Connecting you with designated organizations in Canada
To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa program, entrepreneurs must secure a commitment from a designated organization in Canada to support their business venture. Skynet Immigration can help entrepreneurs connect with designated organizations that are a good fit for their business idea. These organizations can provide funding, mentorship, and other resources that are crucial for the success of the business.
Assisting with the application process
Applying for the Start-Up Visa program can be a complex and challenging process. Skynet Immigration can assist entrepreneurs with the application process, ensuring that all necessary documents are submitted, and all requirements are met. They will also communicate with the Canadian government on behalf of the entrepreneur and provide updates on the status of the application.
Providing guidance and support throughout the entire process
Skynet Immigration and Consultants will provide guidance and support to entrepreneurs throughout the entire Start-Up Visa application process. They will be available to answer any questions or concerns that entrepreneurs may have and offer advice on how to navigate any challenges that arise. Skynet Immigration is committed to ensuring that entrepreneurs have a smooth and successful immigration process and can start their businesses in Canada as quickly as possible.
The Start-Up Visa Program was introduced by ministerial instruction in April 2013 as a pilot project. The Start-Up Visa program grants Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with the Canadian private sector businesses, (angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators) and facilitate the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.
Successful candidates will receive a letter of support from a government designated entity (angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator). The government designated entity is primarily responsible to determine the viability of the applicant’s intended business and present an approved project along with a Commitment Certificate to immigration authorities. Applications are assessed under a pass fail basis.
Applicants to Canada’s Start-Up Visa program must meet four basic eligibility requirements:
- Obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate or Letter of Support;
- Have sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds;
- Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education;
- Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5) ;
The required commitment from a designated entity must meet the following criteria:
- A designated angel investor group must confirm that it is investing at least $75,000 CAD into the qualifying business, or two or more commitments from designated angel investor groups totaling $75,000 CAD; OR
- A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 CAD into the qualifying business or two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totaling $200,000 CAD; OR
- A designated business incubator must confirm that it is accepting the applicant into its business incubator Program.
In order to qualify, the intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada at the time the commitment is made and:
- The applicant owns a least 10% of the voting rights in the corporation; AND
- No other person holds 50% or more of the total amount of voting rights in the corporation.
Up to five applicants may have their application for permanent residence supported by the same business investment. However, certain applicants may be designated essential to the intended business. If any of the essential applicants withdraw their application or are refused for other reasons, all other applicants under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.
Applicants who have secured a Commitment Certificate from a designated entity, and who wish to begin working in the business during the processing of their permanent residence application may apply for a short term work permit on the basis of their Commitment Certificate if the designated entity supports such a request.
Canada’s Start-Up Visa program does not apply to applicants who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.
At the date of publication, designated entities that may support an application under the Start-Up Visa program are:
Designated venture capital funds
- BDC Venture Capital
- Blackberry Partners Fund II LP (doing business as Relay Ventures Fund II)
- Celtic House Venture Partners
- Celtic House Venture Partners Fund III LP
- Celtic House Venture Partners Fund IV LP
- DRI Capital Inc.
- Golden Opportunities Fund Inc.
- iNovia Capital Inc.
- Lumira Capital
- MaRS Cleantech Fund L.P. I.
- New Brunswick Innovation Foundation Inc.
- OMERS Ventures Management Inc.
- Pangaea Ventures Fund III, LP
- PRIVEQ Capital Funds
- PRIVEQ III Limited Partnership
- PRIVEQ IV Limited Partnership
- Quorum Group
- Advantage Growth (No.2) LP
- Ontario SME Capital Corporation
- Quorum Investment Pool Limited Partnership
- Quorum Secured Equity Trust
- Real Ventures
- Rho Canada Ventures
- Rogers Venture Partners, LLC
- Summerhill Venture Partners Management Inc.
- Tandem Expansion Management Inc.
- Vanedge Capital Limited Partnership
- Version One Ventures
- Wellington Financial LP
- Westcap Mgt. Ltd.
- Canadian Accelerator Fund Ltd.
- Yaletown Venture Partners Inc.
Designated angel investor groups
- Angel One Network Inc.
- First Angel Network Association
- Golden Triangle Angel Network
Designated business incubators
- Communitech
- GrowLab
- Innovacorp
- Innovate Calgary
- Toronto Business Development Centre