New Canadian Start-Up Visa

The Startup Visa program was introduced in 2013 to facilitate the growth of innovative companies wishing to establish themselves in Canada, relocate their headquarters and enter international markets, starting in Canada.

This program is one of the most effective and easy immigration pathways for entrepreneurs. It has minimal requirements, the main one being a viable and competitive business idea for international markets.

While the program does not require any upfront financial investment, it assumes that your business will grow, including aspects such as hiring employees and general development. Notably, unlike many other start-up programs in other countries, there are no strict requirements for minimum tax payments or a certain number of employees to be hired. An important difference, especially when compared to some EU programs, is that this Canadian program offers a direct route to permanent residency.

For those looking for more information, we recommend visiting our YouTube channel where we provide in-depth details. In addition, the most up-to-date information can be found on the official website of the Government of Canada.

Venture capital funds are financial entities that provide funding to startup companies and small businesses in exchange for equity ownership or a share of the company's profits. These funds play a crucial role in nurturing innovation and driving entrepreneurial growth.

They offer not only capital but also valuable expertise and connections to help businesses flourish. By taking calculated risks on emerging ventures, venture capital funds contribute to economic development, technological advancements, and the creation of new job opportunities.

Business angel groups, also known as angel investor networks, are associations of individual investors who pool their resources and expertise to collectively invest in startups and early-stage businesses. These groups provide a structured and efficient approach to early-stage investing. Business angel groups typically hold regular meetings or pitch sessions where entrepreneurs can present their business ideas and fundraising needs.

Investors within the group evaluate these opportunities and may choose to collectively fund promising ventures. By working together, business angel groups provide startups with a broader access to capital, mentorship, and networking, increasing their chances of success in a competitive business landscape.

To prove your qualifications, the first and foremost key document is a detailed business plan for your project, which should contain many different aspects, outlining your strategy and your plans for growing your business in Canada.

Traditionally in North America, a business plan consists of a description:

• of your marketing strategy;
• of your target market;
• intellectual property strategy;
• pricing strategy;
• sales progress;
• management team;
• financial projections which include all the key financial metrics your startup will use to grow.

If you want more information on how to prepare a business plan and what it should include, then follow our YouTube channel where we provide more detailed information on how to prepare one.

A business incubator is one of the Government of Canada's designated organizations that decides whether to issue a Letter of Support. You can find over 50 different incubators on the government's website, each with its own requirements that you must meet in order to receive a Letter of Support. In simple terms, a business incubator is an organization that accredits you and confirms that your innovative business idea can indeed succeed in Canada.

To find out which incubators can currently give you a letter of support, go to the government's website. Here you can find a list of current business incubators that can give you a letter of support.

Each business incubator usually has its own set of application requirements. In most cases, the application form can be easily found on the business incubator's website. If it is not available, feel free to send an email requesting the application form and describing the specific startup requirements.

The application form typically includes sections on your personal biography, work experience, details of your business concept, strategic approach, intended target audience, how you have researched and tested the market, and sometimes more details about your business journey, where you are asked to outline your achievements and milestones.

It is important to note that these achievements do not have to be solely business in nature. This program opens doors for people with promising ideas to emigrate to Canada and start a business on Canadian land.

All business incubators have an interview format. You will need to meet with representatives from the business incubator to answer questions related to your plans to grow your business in Canada before they will accept you into their accelerator or incubator program and ask you to complete certain tasks in order to receive a Letter of Support.

Usually, there are several representatives from the business incubator side at the interview. This is what is called a decision-making committee, which consists of 2-5 people. The questions usually relate to your team, your team's experience, your action plans, your understanding of how knowledgeable you are in terms of analyzing your competitors, including those outside of Canada, your plans to grow your business in Canada, and which of your current partners you think might be useful and helpful.

Of course, any questions can be asked as part of the interview and are not limited to that. We have heard many different questions from Startup Visa participants and in total we have accumulated over 350 different questions that can be in an interview. If you would like us to share these questions with you to do so, please click the button below and we will send you a list of potential interview questions.

The cost of a selection program can vary from $8,000 to $120,000 depending on the business incubator and province. The cost also depends on the number of funders on your team. Typically, selection programs are necessary for you to learn the specifics of the Canadian market, and to understand the entire program process and activities.

Very often in the process of passing the selection program participants face the fact that they need to change some parameters in their business plan, to make the so-called pivot of their business idea or business strategy. Based onn that, be sure to make changes in your business plan development strategy taking into account the result of the program.

A letter of support is a letter that states your personal details and business idea. It is a government document that the business incubator gives you as confirmation.

We would like to point out that it is useless to copy this document and send it to the government, as the same document is duplicated by the business incubator and sent on both sides. It is also worth mentioning that the business incubator sends a set of documents related to your business, the business plan itself, and all attachments to it.

The following is a list of the documents you will most likely need to collect. Please note that you can get a detailed list of documents either from the Government of Canada's website or from the migration agent who prepares your documents. Make sure that all your documents are translated by a certified organization that is authorized to translate from your native language.

We highly recommend that you rely on and thoroughly examine information exclusively from the official Canadian website. This is primarily because the internet can be flooded with various information that might not align with reality or may become outdated. Therefore, it's crucial to stick with the official and up-to-date sources.

A permanent resident is a person who became a permanent resident by immigrating to Canada but is not yet a Canadian citizen.

As a permanent resident of Canada, you can:

• Receive most of the social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health insurance;
• Live, work or study in Canada.

What permanent residents are not allowed to do: You cannot vote or run for political office, or hold some jobs that require a high level of security clearance.

You can lose your permanent resident status if: you voluntarily give up your permanent resident status; you are subject to a removal order and have it enforced; or you become a Canadian citizen.

To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years. These 730 days do not have to be continuous. Some time spent abroad can count towards the 730 days.

Even if you have not fulfilled the residency obligation, you are still a PR until an official decision is made about your status.

To obtain any Canadian visa, you must submit biometric data. To do this, you must be photographed and have all ten fingerprints taken.

But there are still some exceptions to the biometric data collection rules. Surrender of biometric data for a visa to Canada is not required if the visa is applied for:

• children under 14 years of age
• Applicants over the age of 79.

To submit biometrics you must have the documents listed below:

• a valid passport on the basis of which the visa application was made
• a copy of the instruction letter on the necessity to submit biometrics
• a copy of the cheque confirming payment of the biometric fee.

When applying for permanent resident status, you must go through the procedure again, even if you have already been fingerprinted for a tourist visa to Canada.

A medical examination is a requirement for immigration to Canada. Once your documents have been collected, submitted and reviewed by an immigration officer, you will receive an invitation for a medical examination. We can assure you that once you have completed the medical examination, you will likely receive your papers to enter the country soon.

After you receive your referral, please go to this section of the Government of Canada website, select your preferred country for the examination and contact the clinic yourself.

Documents you need to bring with you:

• valid passport
• eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, etc.
• medical certificates concerning your illnesses
• list of medications you are taking
• recent photographs (specify the number)
• a medical report in the form IMM 1017 (you should apply for it at the immigration office).

Keep in mind that the results are valid for 12 months. If your spouse is pregnant, it is likely that you will not be able to undergo a full examination due to the impossibility of taking X-rays (in this case you will have to apply to the Immigration Service).

The government website lists the addresses of all visa centers and embassies where you can submit your application under the program. In case there isn't a Canadian office or visa center in your country, your application may be processed in a neighboring country. You can send your documents through postal services or schedule an in-person appointment there.

Before your trip to Canada, we advise you to download special customs forms from the official government website a few days prior to your entry.

These forms must include details of all the belongings you'll be bringing into Canada. Items listed on these forms are typically exempt from taxes and can be brought into the country for a specified period.

If something is not declared on the form and you attempt to bring it into Canada, customs authorities may treat it as purchased goods, resulting in taxes that you'll need to pay for importing those items.

When you arrive in Canada you will be required to meet with an immigration officer in the first city of your arrival city. Simply follow the signs at the airport leading you to the immigration office, where you will present your documents and go through a brief interview. During this interview, they will inquire about your plans and ask some routine questions related to your stay in Canada.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:

be a permanent resident. Have lived in Canada for 3 out of 5 years (not necessarily continuously).

Candidates between the ages of 18 and 54 take the citizenship test and answer questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and Canadian citizenship regarding Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

The test is 30 minutes long, consists of 20 questions and has a passing score of 15 correct answers.

This is your main number, which is the key to any information, registration on different sites, etc. This is a rather important document that you should definitely get upon arrival. It will allow you to make various registration actions.

We recommend that the first place to start is by visiting the special services in the province where you plan to live.

Once you've settled into your new home in Canada, you should to reach out to your business incubator to schedule a meeting and discuss your future plans. The business incubator will assist in recording and managing your business, providing support in the post-arrival phase. They may also request updates on your business's progress and your overall experience.

During your meeting with the advisor at the business incubator, you'll need to go over your business development plan. This plan typically breaks down into several key stages, organized by quarters. For instance, in the first quarter, your focus might be on acquiring clients, in the second, participating in an exhibition, in the third, launching a product, and in the fourth, hiring your first employees to further grow your business.

Company registration is a vital step within the Startup Visa program. You are required to register your company in the same province as your business incubator, where you received your acceleration. The cost of company registration in Canada typically ranges from $200 to $300, and you have the option to either handle the registration process yourself or utilize different companies. Moreover, various online services, like Ownr, are available to assist you with the company registration procedure.

When you apply to immigrate, you will need to provide proof of funds to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents once you have arrived in Canada.

The amount required is based on the size of your family. It is usually sufficient to provide an account statement or a reference on availability of accounts with balance confirmation.

Now, for example, if someone immigrates without a family, they will need to have $13,310 Canadian dollars on the account. For a family of 3 the sum adds up to $20,371 Canadian dollars. Please note that these amounts are periodically updated.

You do not need to invest your own funds in your company or your business, you can attract investments while in Canada or get a loan from a bank.

A1. Beginner

At the beginner level, the vocabulary covers about 500 words. Basic English is a level that means you can:

- understand and use expressions and phrases to meet basic needs;

- introduce yourself and get acquainted in English;

- ask simple personal questions (about place of residence, family, and friends) and answer them;

- read short English texts with illustrations (greeting cards, road signs, brief explanations, signs).

A2. Elementary

The conversational (or almost intermediate) level of English starts with a vocabulary of about 1000 words. At this stage, you can:

- understand spoken language (video, dialogue, or monologue on everyday topics);

- speak in simple words about routines, maintain a conversation on familiar topics (movies, appearance, entertainment);

- read medium difficulty texts;

- express your opinion in writing or evaluate a situation, describe events.

B1. Intermediate

The intermediate level of English implies a vocabulary of at least 2000 words. At this level, you will be able to:

- correctly understand the essence of statements on familiar topics (work, school, leisure);

- communicate in English while traveling to an English-speaking country;

- describe impressions, events, dreams, desires, briefly state your opinion and provide arguments;

- watch movies in their original language, sometimes filling in dialogues based on the visuals;

- read simple instructions, advertising brochures, letters, short documents;

- write coherent texts (essays, letters, instructions) in English on familiar topics.

B2. Upper-Intermediate

The upper-intermediate level of English means that you already know at least 4000 words. At this stage, you will be able to:

- comprehend the idea of complex texts on specific topics, engage in conversations in English on professional activities;

- communicate fluently with native speakers;

- formulate sentences with details on various issues;

- express your view on issues, note the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions;

- understand English programs - interviews, reports, talk shows, live broadcasts;

- write coherent texts (essays, letters) on unfamiliar topics.

C1. Advanced

The advanced level of English means that you are almost a pro: vocabulary - at least 8000 words. At this stage, you will be able to:

- comprehend complex and lengthy texts on various topics, reveal hidden meanings (read between the lines);

- speak fluently and spontaneously, without obvious difficulties in choosing words and expressions;

- effectively use the language in social, scientific, and professional activities;

- understand movies in English with slang and idioms without subtitles;

- write detailed texts on various topics introducing complex structure in them;

- maintain effective correspondence in English.

C2. Proficiency

Mastering English language proficiency is a challenging but achievable task. In this case, the vocabulary consists of about 16,000 words. At the highest level, you will be able to effortlessly:

- understand almost everything you hear and read;

- summarize information from oral and written sources, present arguments and opinions in the form of coherent text;

- speak on any topic without preparation, express your thoughts without difficulty, distinguish between shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

Innovation in this context does not necessarily refer to revolutionary inventions such as space flight or the latest aircraft turbines. Rather, it refers to significant improvements to existing products or services. Such improvements are aimed at increasing the efficiency of processes and the quality of products in demand.

Here are three ways to determine whether your idea is innovative, along with illustrative examples:

Novelty: the hallmark of an innovative idea is its novelty, that is, something that was not previously available or greatly simplifies an existing process. Take the pastry business, for example. Previously, decorating cakes with images was a manual and time-consuming task. Now, however, a chocolate printer combined with food colorings makes it quick and easy to apply the desired image. The innovation here is not in the printer or the food coloring, but in the clever combination of these elements to streamline the process.

Potential: Innovative ideas can become "game-changers" that can transform entire industries or markets. Take a car rental fleet, for example. Previously, customers had to rent a car for the day and drive to a central car park to access it. However, the new approach involves creating a network of car parks across the city and making cars available for hire for any length of time via a mobile app. This is now common practice, but a few years ago such an innovation revolutionized the rental market.

Market demand: Innovative ideas often address current or future needs. A strong indicator of market demand is the willingness of customers to pay for a product or service. For example, a coffee shop with a mobile app that allows customers to order in advance reduces waiting times. Other examples are fast food restaurant chains that have optimized the ordering process, self-assembly furniture shops such as Ikea, or online retailers such as Amazon. These companies excel in satisfying customers' needs for speed and convenience.

Thus, an innovative idea typically has three key characteristics: novelty, revolutionary potential, and relevance to market demand. This trinity often serves as a reliable benchmark for identifying innovations in different contexts.

There is no English language test required to study at the business incubator, just an interview at the business institute.

However, for permanent residency, you must take a language test in your place of residence/residence from an approved agency (e.g. IELTS) and attach the results to your application.

You must show that you have achieved Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French. The CLB 5 language proficiency level corresponds to the B1 level.

It should be noted that this programme has very minimal requirements for demonstrating language ability.

The criteria for business success can vary, and it's a relative concept. To qualify for the Startup Visa program in Canada, your startup doesn't necessarily have to be groundbreaking or highly innovative. If your business is performing well in more traditional terms and has a customer base, sales, revenue, and strong metrics, it can still be considered a success. Ultimately, the decision on whether your business qualifies for the program is made by the designated organization, typically a business incubator.

The Canadian government doesn't set a specific minimum investment amount for your business. However, if your business plan demonstrates that you intend to invest at least $100,000 of your own funds in a Canadian company, it may enhance the likelihood of a successful application.

It's important to note that not having this amount doesn't disqualify you from applying. In such cases, the focus of the reviewing officer will shift from your available funds to the merits of your business idea.

Your experience in entrepreneurship, even if you have had it in another country or in another area of business, will certainly be an advantage. You can demonstrate it by simply describing it and mentioning it in your business plan. In any case, it is an added advantage that you have in comparison with other candidates.

This program grants Permanent Resident status to all founders and all members of their families. In other words, if your company has, say, two founders and each of you has a spouse and children, then all members of your business can apply for Permanent Resident status.

Today, all documents are submitted remotely through Canada's website. If any documents are sent in paper form, this is the exception rather than the rule. You can learn more about the application process on the official website of the Government of Canada.

It's worth mentioning that even if you don't have an officially registered marriage, but you have been in a dependent relationship with your partner for more than a year, you are entitled to fill out a special form as proof of your long-term relationship.

Children are defined as adult family members under the age of 22 if they are not married. Children depend on your care. Even if you have children from a previous marriage, they may also qualify for residency.

The language exam only needs to be taken by the applicant, namely the founder of the company, meaning the family may not have to take the English language exam to obtain residency status.

Recently, the government has been issuing open work visas to all applicants under the Startup Visa program. This means that when your business is still growing, you are eligible to come to Canada and get a job while growing your business.

Here we would like to draw your attention to the fact that your startup can have no more than 5 applicants, each of which has at least 10%.

The average processing time for an open work visa is 3-4 months. This means that you can come to Canada with an open work visa before you become a Canadian resident. The processing time varies by country and the embassy that issues it.

It's all fair here — the Canadian government is aware that not every start of the business could be successful, so if your business fails, it won't somehow affect your permanent resident status.

Please follow the link below to find the official answer to this question.

The duration of an acceleration program can vary depending on the specific business incubator you're engaged with. Some programs extend for an entire year, while others may have differing timelines. It's essential to thoroughly review the requirements and program offerings provided by the business incubator. To obtain accurate information about the acceleration program's duration, consider reaching out to the business incubator directly.

On average, the preparation of required documents typically takes around one and a half to two months. This estimate is based on the experiences of individuals who have previously participated in the Startup Visa program. The extended duration is often attributed to the time required for document acquisition, particularly the issuance of a criminal record certificate from each country where an applicant has resided for more than six consecutive months.

Therefore, we strongly recommend initiating the process of obtaining these certificates well in advance, possibly even before commencing your participation in the business incubator's accelerator program.

The processing time for a startup visa application typically falls within a range of 5 weeks to 3 months. The specific duration can vary based on your current location or country of residence. For precise and up-to-date information regarding processing times, it's advisable to refer to the government website. The processing period is influenced by factors such as your current country of residence and the applicable regulations in place.

Today, the timeframe for issuing permanent residence has increased and can be up to 37 months. However, we see them shortening from month to month. This is due to the fact that most of the applications that were formed and hung up during the period of covida began to be sorted out.

All new applications are processed much faster and you can expect 1.5 years of consideration of your permanent resident status. However, it is worth mentioning that if you need to come to Canada urgently, you can always come on an open work visa and start running your business.

If you find that you lack a comprehensive understanding of internal processes, are pressed for time due to your business development efforts, or simply have limited availability, there's an option to engage the services of business consultants. These professionals can assist you in preparing your business project for admission into a program. The cost associated with hiring a business consultant can vary and is contingent on the scope of your project and the level of involvement required from the consultant.

In cases where your startup is still in the conceptual stage and may not meet the innovation criteria for the program, the cost of hiring a business consultant tends to be notably higher. It can reach up to $100,000 or even surpass that figure. In such situations, the consultant assumes the responsibility of refining your entire business concept and aids in packaging your business case comprehensively, including making necessary commitments to enhance your chances of program acceptance.

The expenses associated with hiring a migration counselor are not fixed and can depend based on the specific counselor you engaged with and the extent of their involvement. Migration counselors can offer a range of services, which may include reviewing documents you've prepared yourself or actively participating in the preparation of your application and those of your family members.

It's highly advisable to seek assistance exclusively from licensed migration counselors, as they possess the necessary authorization to provide both paid and complimentary consultations.

There are certain government fees that must be paid to facilitate the processing of your application. While the information provided here is regularly updated, we strongly recommend verifying the official fee rates by referring to the government's website to ensure accuracy and compliance with the most current regulations.

If the immigration officer harbors any concerns regarding the legitimacy of your business, they retain the authority to conduct additional assessments. This might include temporarily suspending your business operations until a designated authority can review and evaluate it. As part of this process, you may be requested to furnish supplementary documents to substantiate your planned endeavors.

Within this context, we've delineated the potential costs associated with responding to the immigration officer's inquiry, which may involve engaging a business consultant for their services. However, it's important to note that you do have the option to craft this response yourself.

It's essential to anticipate that upon your arrival in Canada, you will incur certain expenses related to the development of your business. At a minimum, you'll need to establish a company (typically around $390), secure a small office or co-working space (averaging about $350), and potentially hire specialized professionals. Therefore, it's advisable to allocate a minimum budget of $20,000 to initiate your business and conduct market testing.

A letter of support is a letter that states your personal details and business idea. It is a government document that the business incubator gives you as confirmation.

We would like to point out that it is useless to copy this document and send it to the government, as the same document is duplicated by the business incubator and sent on both sides. It is also worth mentioning that the business incubator sends a set of documents related to your business, the business plan itself, and all attachments to it.

The language exam only needs to be taken by the applicant, namely the founder of the company, meaning the family may not have to take the English language exam to obtain residency status.

When submitting your application for permanent residency or Canadian citizenship, it is essential to include a police certificate for both yourself and your family members. This certificate serves as documentation confirming the absence of a criminal record, or if applicable, provides a copy of your criminal record. Its purpose is to assist in verifying whether there are any grounds for inadmissibility to Canada.

Police certificates vary between countries and territories and may be referred to as police clearance certificates, good conduct certificates, or judicial record extracts. If your certificate is not in English or French, it is necessary to submit both the original certificate and a translation by a certified translator.

• Check your application guide. It will tell you how many photos you require for your application.
• You must provide identical and unaltered photographs.
• Photos may be in colour or black and white.
• Photos must be original and not altered in any way or taken from an existing photograph.
• Taken by a commercial photographer.
• 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide x 2- 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm (1- 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1- 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head).
• Clear, sharp and in focus.
• Taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling).
• Taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections.
• Taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (i.e. the photographs must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing full face centred in the middle of the photograph).
• Taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between your face and the background. Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
• Original photos that are not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo.
• Reflect your current appearance (taken within the last twelve months)
• Professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper (photos printed at home and photos printed on heavy weight paper are not acceptable)

When you apply to immigrate, you will need to provide proof of funds to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents once you have arrived in Canada.

The amount required is based on the size of your family. It is usually sufficient to provide an account statement or a reference on availability of accounts with balance confirmation.

Now, for example, if someone immigrates without a family, they will need to have $13,310 Canadian dollars on the account. For a family of 3 the sum adds up to $20,371 Canadian dollars. Please note that these amounts are periodically updated.

You do not need to invest your own funds in your company or your business, you can attract investments while in Canada or get a loan from a bank.