All-Visas
Start-up Visa (SUV)
entrepreneur · Canada
SUV is the PR programme for foreign entrepreneurs with an innovative business backed by a designated Canadian organisation. Required commitment: VC fund ≥ CAD 200,000, angel group ≥ CAD 75,000, OR business incubator acceptance (no $ minimum). Applicant + designated org together > 50% voting rights; applicant alone ≥ 10%. Up to 5 applicants per business can be supported. Language CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities. From 1 April 2024, max 10 applications per designated org per year. Note: IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates after 31 December 2025; valid 2025 certificate holders had until 30 June 2026 to apply.
- Minimum stay / validity
- Permanent residence
- Processing time
- Backlogged (multi-year IRCC service times)
- Official source
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html
Requirements & criteria
- [Mandatory] Set up / hold a qualifying local company
- [Mandatory] No criminal record
- [Mandatory] VC commitment ≥ CAD 200,000
- [Mandatory] Angel-group commitment ≥ CAD 75,000
- [Mandatory] Acceptance into designated business incubator
- [Mandatory] Applicant ≥ 10% voting rights
- [Mandatory] CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities