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Start-up Visa

Entrepreneur

Permanent residence for founders whose business is backed by a designated venture fund, angel group or incubator. The backing letter is the binding constraint, and the backlog is long.

Who it is for. Founders with a qualifying commitment from a designated Canadian organisation.

Researched, not independently verifiedlow confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026

Worth knowing. The investment figure applies where the backer is a designated venture capital fund; angel groups and incubators have different thresholds, and incubator acceptance requires no investment at all. Processing has run to several years and intake has been limited.

Fact
Income required
Not stated
Savings required
Not stated
Investment required
CA$200K
Application fee
Not stated
Processing time
730–1460 days
Permission lasts
—

Not renewable

Permanent residence
Not via this route
Citizenship
After 3 years
Remote work not coveredLocal employment allowedFamily can joinPolice certificateMedical exam
Apply through the authority, not through us: www.canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

Sources

Researched, not independently verifiedlow confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026

Worth knowing. The investment figure applies where the backer is a designated venture capital fund; angel groups and incubators have different thresholds, and incubator acceptance requires no investment at all. Processing has run to several years and intake has been limited.

Check this against

Reference dataset, compiled 20 September 2026. This is a compiled reference dataset. Every figure is drawn from official material and cited, but no record has been signed off by a named editor working through the review console, so nothing here is marked verified. Immigration rules change without notice and consulates apply them differently. Check the linked authority before you act on anything. This site is not legal advice.