The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed changes to loosen up the requirements for an H-1B visa for highly-skilled workers have still not passed and so Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) immigration program is still the best option for many of these foreign nationals who are looking to put their skills to good use.
Under sweeping changes made by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, the H-1B visa program made it more expensive and difficult to get highly-skilled immigrant workers into the United States and Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program a much-needed boost.
That was a massive blow to American tech companies but a boon to Canada’s high-tech sector.
With sudden, higher costs for immigrants with tech skills south of the border, foreign investors looked to set up in North America took a closer look at Canada and its SUV, many liking what they saw.
The SUV program grants Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. It aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and introduce them to Canadian investors so these budding entrepreneurs can start their businesses in Canada.
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Under the SUV, three types of private-sector investors are considered: angel investors, venture capital funds, and business incubators.
A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more investments from angel investor groups totaling $75,000.
A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totalling $200,000.
A designated business incubator must accept the applicant into its business incubator program.
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It is up to the immigrant investor to develop a viable business plan that will meet the due diligence requirements of these government-approved designated entities.
That’s usually done with the help of business consultants in Canada’s start-up ecosystem and experienced corporate business immigration lawyers who can ensure a start-up’s business plan meets all industry-required terms and conditions.
Candidates to the SUV program can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canadian investor before qualifying for permanent residence once their business is up and running.
SUV Applicants Must Have A Qualifying Business
The basic candidate eligibility requirements for the SUV program are:
- a qualifying business;
- a commitment certificate and letter of support from a designated entity;
- sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds, and;
- proficiency in English or French at the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level 5.
| Number of family members | Funds required |
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| Each additional family member | $3,706 |
Ottawa does not give financial support to new SUV immigrants.
When candidates apply, they need to give proof they have the money to support themselves and their dependents in Canada. This money cannot be borrowed.
The amount needed depends on the size of the candidate’s family.
The SUV program is growing in popularity.
IRCC has allocated substantial planned admissions for permanent residence to Start-Up Visa applicants. Whereas the Federal Business allocation number has only been 1,000 per year during the past few years, in 2024, 2025 and 2026 this number will increase dramatically to 5,000, 6,000 and 6,000 respectively.
The SUV also represents an important option for international students, many of whom do not qualify for permanent residence through the skilled worker immigration streams.
While Ottawa has taken steps to gear up the Express Entry system to favour international students, they are by no means guaranteed to qualify for a coveted Invitation to Apply under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The minimum score needed to qualify has often been over 495, leaving many students unable to qualify even with the support of a job offer from a Canadian employer.
These candidates can either sit in the Express Entry pool and hope the minimum score under the CRS falls or they can make the transition from temporary to permanent residence.
This is where the SUV program becomes an option.
Unlike almost every other federal and provincial-level entrepreneur program which requires a minimum of one or two years of previous experience either owning a business or in top-level management, the SUV does not require previous management experience.
The support of a government-designated entity is enough. And that support can be either financial or in the form of accepting the candidate into a business incubator program.
Immigrants who avail themselves of the SUV program consistently report that it is quick, both for the initial work permit and permit residence application.
SUV-Eligible Business Must Owned At Least In Part By Applicant
With a viable start-up business project, an immigrant entrepreneur can expect it to take about four to six months to secure a commitment certificate or letter of support from a designated entity. Once that letter of support is received, the application for permanent residence can be submitted. It will then take approximately 18 months to finalize the application through to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.
For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:
- The intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada;
- The candidate must own at least 10 per cent of the voting rights in the corporation, and;
- No other person can hold 50 per cent or more of the voting rights in the corporation.
As many as five candidates can have their permanent residence application supported by the same business investment.
But that can come with a risk. Certain candidates may be designated as essential to the business. If any of the essential candidates withdraw their applications or are refused, all other candidates under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.
Surveys suggest SUV candidates usually go on to succeed in Canada, in terms of growing their business, attracting further investment, networking, or selling their business for a profit.
Immigration.ca works extensively with industry-acclaimed designated entities in the Canadian start-up ecosystem. The firm provides a range of hands-on business advisory services to help intending entrepreneur immigrants and their start-up business concept meet all industry requirements.
To find out if you qualify for the SUV program, click here.
