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Start-Up Visa

​The Start-Up Visa enables foreign entrepreneurs to establish businesses in Canada and obtain permanent residency (PR). It provides a straightforward path to PR for those with passion to create businesses in Canada. These businesses should be:
•    Innovative
•    Capable of generating jobs for Canadians
•    Positioned to compete globally

Settle anywhere in Canada: Start-Up visa made simple

As an applicant, you can settle anywhere in Canada (except Quebec) and obtain a work permit while awaiting permanent residency. There are no specific investment, revenue, or profit requirements for your business. Instead, you need to actively manage your business and ensure that a significant part of its operations occurs within Canada.

Priority Processing cuts wait times

Although the IRCC website states a 40-month processing time for the Start-Up Visa as of November 2024, recent cases have been approved in as little as 16-22 months due to improved processing and reduced backlogs from earlier paper-based applications. Contact us to learn more about the "priority processing" option.

Steps to permanent residency

To qualify, entrepreneurs must secure a Letter of Support from a Canadian business incubator, demonstrate proficiency in English (at level 5 on the Canadian Language Benchmark), and show sufficient funds to settle in Canada and support their family members during the initial 12 months. Once the Canadian federal government confirms that these conditions are met, the entrepreneur, their spouse, and dependent children under 22 years old will be granted Permanent Residencies.

3-year Open Work Permit boosts SUV flexibility

As of October 3, 2024, Start-Up Visa (SUV) applicants can now apply for a 3-year open work permit. This permit offers more flexibility than the previous employer-specific permit. Entrepreneurs can now work for any employer in Canada while developing their business. Spouses can also apply for open work permits, and dependent children have access to study permits.

  • What types of businesses are eligible for an SUV program?
    ● Innovative ● Can create jobs for Canadians ● Can compete on a global scale
  • In the SUV application, there are essential members and non-essential members. What is the difference?
    Currently, only essential members can apply for a work permit to work in Canada. Non-essential members, however, cannot apply.
  • How many people can apply for an SUV?
    ● A maximum of 5 families can team up to apply for an SUV ● The skills or professional backgrounds of each team member should complement each other, such as a technical professional serving as CTO, someone with an accounting background as CFO, etc.
  • Does a Criminal Record Disqualify One from SUV Application?
    ● No, eligibility typically depends on when the offense was committed. Offenses that occurred over 5 years ago may still be considered for application. ● The 5-year period is counted from the end of the sentence. In cases of imprisonment, this period begins upon release. For traffic violations that result in license suspension, the period starts when the license is reinstated. In situations where a fine was levied, the period starts once the fine is completely paid. ● The severity of the offense is also a key consideration. It's important to thoroughly understand the nature of the offense committed by the applicant and to compare it with the standards set forth in the Canadian Criminal Code to determine its severity.
  • How much money do you need to prove?
    When you submit your PR application: Using a family of four as example, you need to prove you have CAD25,564 to apply for the SUV.
  • Does your spouse need to be outside of Canada?
    No, your spouse or common-law partner is not required to be living outside of Canada. If he/she is living inside Canada, he/she can also apply for PR under family class sponsorship. He/she can also submit an open work permit (i.e. work permit that is not job- or location- specific). If your spouse already has a work permit when the PR application is submitted, he/she is reminded to maintain their status while waiting for the decision of the PR application.
  • What does common-law partner mean?
    A common-law partner is a partner who: is not married to you can be either sex is at least 18 years old has been living with you for at least 12 consecutive months, meaning you've been living together continuously for 1 year in a conjugal relationship, without any long period apart. Any time spent apart between you two should have been short and temporary
  • What is the income requirement to sponsor my partner and children?
    There is no set income threshold or requirement for sponsoring my spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner and dependent children. The Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) only applies when you are sponsoring family members other than the abovementioned, e.g. your parents and grandparents,
  • What does conjugal partner mean?
    A conjugal partner is someone who: is not legally married to you can be either sex is at least 18 years old has been in a relationship with you for at least 1 year lives outside Canada cannot live with you in the country where you live or marry you because of significant legal and immigration reasons such as: they are still married to someone where divorce is impossible their sexual orientation (e.g. you are in a same-sex relationship and it is either not accepted or legal in the country where you live) persecution (you are members of different religion groups where it may be punishable legally or socially if you live together)
  • Does the sponsor need to be living in Canada?
    While Canadian citizens can sponsor their spouses or children outside of Canada, they must commit to living in Canada after the sponsored family becomes a permanent resident. On the other hand, Canadian PRs must be living in Canada if they wish to sponsor their family.
  • What is sponsorship undertaking and how does it work?
    When a Canadian citizen, PR residing in Canada, or registered Indian sponsors a family member to become a PR in Canada, he/she must make a formal commitment to be financially responsible for this family member. This process is called sponsorship undertaking and it is a legally binding contract between the sponsor and the minster of the IRCC. When the undertaking takes effect, the sponsor will be obliged to give financial support to the sponsored family members for their basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, dental care, and eye care. This undertaking cannot be revoked even if the sponsor's situation changes. There are different periods of time for sponsorship undertaking, depending on which family member is being sponsored and where you reside. The following guide only applies to residents outside of Quebec. The undertaking starts on the day when the sponsored persons become PR. Spouse or common-law partner or conjugal partner: 3 years Children under 13 years old: 10 years Children from 13 to 19 years old: until age 22 Children over 19 years old: 3 years You (the sponsor) is still financially responsible for the sponsored family members even if: Your relationship with the person you sponsored changed (e.g. divorce, separation) The person you sponsored becomes a Canadian citizen Your financial situation gets worse (e.g. job loss, debt) You requested to withdraw the sponsorship application after the sponsored person becomes a PR
  • Who cannot sponsor a spouse?
    ​You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse if: You are sponsoring a spouse or partner but you signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it hasn’t been three years since they became a permanent resident You previously sponsored someone and did not pay back any social assistance that they received while the undertaking was in place. You are in default on an immigration loan or a performance bond You did not pay court-ordered alimony or child support You have declared bankruptcy which has not been discharged You were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent crime, an offence against a relative that caused bodily harm or threatened or attempted to commit any of the above offences—depending on the nature of the offence, how long ago it happened and if you received a pardon You are sponsoring a spouse or partner and you were previously sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and became a permanent resident of Canada less than five years ago You are under a removal order, You are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison You have already applied to sponsor your current spouse or partner and haven’t received a decision.
  • How do I apply for a police certificate for my PR application?
  • What is CLB 5 in terms of IELTS and CELPIP results?
    CLB 5 is equivalent to the following tests scores in IELTS - General Training: Reading: 4.0 Writing: 5.0 Listening: 5.0 Speaking: 5.0 CLB 5 is equivalent to the following tests scores in CELPIP - General Test: Reading: 5 Writing: 5 Listening: 5 Speaking: 5
  • Are all post-secondary schools in Canadian DLIs?
    Not all post-secondary schools in Canada are Designated Learning Institutions. A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government of Canada to host international students. For example, some private career colleges may not be DLIs. Speak with our consultant to learn more.
  • Can I bring my spouse and children to Canada while I study?
    You can bring your spouse and children to Canada while you study. Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for open work permit, while your children may be eligible for study permits.
  • Do my spouse or children need to be living in Canada when I am studying?
    Your spouse and children are not required to be living in Canada while you study. On a separate note, you should declare their personal information when you apply for a study permit whether they will accompany you during this period or not.
  • What are the extra requirements for post-graduate diploma or certificates?
    If you are applying for Stream A after completing a post-graduate diploma or certificate, the post-secondary diploma or certificate must be a program of at least 1 year in length. It must also: Requires the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance into the program; and you must have graduated from the prerequisite post-secondary diploma or degree no more than 5 years before the start of graduate or post-graduate program. For example, if you are graduating a one-year graduate diploma in 2026, you must have completed the prerequisite degree no later than 2020.
  • Is there an age limit to the program?
    There is no age limit to the program.
  • Do my spouse and children need to take language tests?
    Only the main applicant (the person who has completed a post-secondary program) is required to prove his/her language skills in order to apply for PR under Stream A. Your spouse and children are not required to take the language tests.
  • Do my spouse and children need to take language tests?
    Only the main applicant (the person who has completed a post-secondary program) is required to prove his/her language skills in order to apply for PR under Stream A. Your spouse and children are not required to take the language tests.
  • How do I apply for a police certificate for my PR application?
  • Do my spouse or children need to be living in Canada when I am working?
    Your spouse and children are not required to be living in Canada while you work. On a separate note, you should declare their personal information when you apply for a study permit whether they will accompany you during this period or not.
  • Can I bring my spouse and children to Canada while I work?
    You can bring your spouse and children to Canada while you work. Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for open work permit, while your children may be eligible for study permits.
  • What work experience is not counted for Stream B?
    Any work experience acquired during full-time studies or self-employment does not count.
  • What is CLB 5 in terms of IELTS and CELPIP results?
    CLB 5 is equivalent to the following tests scores in IELTS - General Training: Reading: 4.0 Writing: 5.0 Listening: 5.0 Speaking: 5.0 CLB 5 is equivalent to the following tests scores in CELPIP - General Test: Reading: 5 Writing: 5 Listening: 5 Speaking: 5
  • Is there an age limit to the program?
    There is no age limit to the program.
  • What is an FAQ section?
    An FAQ section can be used to quickly answer common questions about you or your business, such as “Where do you ship to?”, “What are your opening hours?” or “How can I book a service?” It’s a great way to help people navigate your site and can even boost your site’s SEO.

Contact

Hoga Immigration Consulting Inc.

Toronto Office

2209-155 Beecroft Road,

Toronto, ON M2N 7C6

Email: info@hogavisa.com

Tel: +1 (437) 985-1903

​

Hoga Consulting (Hong Kong) Ltd.

Unit B, 10/F, Dragon Industrial Bldg, 

93 King Lam Street, Lai Chi Kok

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Email: info@hogavisa.com

Tel: +852 6513 3680

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