Start-Up Visa
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world,
linking innovative immigrant sought out entrepreneurs with experienced private sector
organizations that have expertise in working with start-ups companies that will create jobs
in Canada, and eventually, compete globally.
There are four eligibility requirements:
Prove that the business idea is supported by a designated investor organization
Meet language requirements
Meet education requirements
Have enough settlement funds
Let’s look at each of the above requirements:
Prove that the business idea is supported by a designated investor org.
Before applying for a Start-up visa, the applicant must convince a designated
angel investor group or venture capital fund to invest in their business idea. If the investor organization
decides to fund the business idea, they will give the applicant a Commitment Certificate/Letter of Support.
The applicant must include a commitment certificate with their application as proof
that an angel investor group or venture capital fund supports their business idea.
Meet Language Requirements
Being able to communicate and work in English, French or both will help the
applicant’s business in Canada. The applicant must prove their ability in English/French in these four areas:
Speaking
Reading
Listening and
Writing
The applicant must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 in either English or French for
all four language abilities.
If the applicant does not meet the minimum language skills, IRCC will refuse the
applicant’s application.
The applicant must take a language test from an agency approved by IRCC and include
the results when the applicant applies. If the applicant does not, IRCC will not process the applicant’s
application and IRCC will return the applicant’s fees.
The applicant will not have another chance to prove the language proficiency.
The visa officer will only use test results that the applicant provides when the applicant applies.
Meet Education Requirements
The applicant must provide proof of education with their application.
Specifically, the applicant will need:
Proof of having completed at least one year of post-secondary education
Proof that the applicant was in good standing during at least one year while
the applicant were attending a post secondary institution
The proof of education may be in the form of transcripts and a letter of good standing,
or certificate or diploma or degree.The proof of education may be in the form of transcripts and a letter of
good standing, or certificate or diploma or degree.
Have Enough Settlement Funds
The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new start-up
business visa immigrants.
The applicant must show that they have enough money to support himself or herself and their dependants after
the applicant arrives in Canada. The applicant cannot borrow this money from another person. The applicant
must be able to use this money to support the costs of living for their family.
The applicant will need to provide proof of their funds when they submit the
application for immigration.
The amount of money needed to support the family is determined by the size of the family. Note: the required
funds are updated each year on the IRCC website.
Number of Family Members Funds Required (in CAD $)
1 ------- $12,474
2 ------- $15,530
3 ------- $19,092
4 ------- $23,181
5 ------- $26,291
6 ------- $29,652
7 ------- $33,013
The applicant should bring as much money as possible to make moving and finding a home in Canada easier.
Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program
Immigrant Investor Venture Capital is pilot program that was launched in January 2015 to attract millionaire
investors in exchange for permanent residence. IRCC accepts the first 60 complete applications received,
including meet the initial completeness and have been retained on the waiting list or until the ending
period the end of each year.
The program is to attract international investors who want to become permanent residents of Canada and have
the skills and abilities needed to integrate into Canadian society and contribute to our economy.
To be eligible the investor must:
Have a net worth of $10 million CAD or more acquired through lawful, private sector
business or investment activities. As a result, the investor’s personal net worth acquired such as, by
inheritance or the value of their primary residence will not be accounted for.
Have proof of net worth by way of a due diligence report from a IRCC designated
financial services provider as mentioned below. The due diligence report is an assessment of the investors
past business or investment experience, source of funds and personal net worth. The validated report must
be from one of these companies:
BDO USA, LLP
Deloitte Forensic Inc
EY
KPMG LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP
Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.
If selected under this program, must make an at-risk investment of $2 million CAD
in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Fund for a period of 15 years. There is no guarantee that it will
be returned in its entirety or any amount will be paid back to the investor. It depends of the performance
of the investment. The money will be invested in innovative Canadian companies based outside Quebec. Quebec
is not included in this program.
Meet the minimum level of CLB 5 in either English or French in all four language abilities
(speaking, reading, listening and writing) through a IRCC approved language testing institution.
Must have completed Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate of at least one
year or have a foreign equivalent validated Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a IRCC-designated organization.
The ECA report must indicate that the investor’s completed foreign education credential is equal to a completed Canadian
post-secondary education credential of at least one year.
/ Caregiver Application for Permanent Residence
Caregivers
There are three ways to apply for permanent residence through the Caregiver Program, The options are:
Live-in Caregiver Program
for live-in caregivers who are already working in Canada with a Live-in Caregiver
Program work permit, as well as caregivers who are approved for their first
Live-in Caregiver Program work permit based on an employer’s positive Labour Market
Impact Assessment application that was submitted to Service Canada on or before November 30, 2014.
Caregiver
Caregivers caring for children
The caregiver must have at least 24 months of full-time work experience in Canada as a home child
care provider in the four years (48 months) before they apply.
But they do not need to have lived in
their employer’s home to qualify. Find additional criteria here
Caring Children
Caring Medical
Caregivers, caring for people with high medical needs – The caregiver must have at least 24 months of
full-time work experience in Canada as a home child care provider in the four years (48 months)
before they apply. But they do not need to have lived in their employer’s home to qualify. Find
additional criteria here
Caring Medical