Canada Start-Up Visa Program — Residency Program

📋 Digital Nomad 🏠 Residency 🏆 Citizenship 🎓 Student

🏠 OVERVIEW

Country 🇨🇦 Canada

Program Start-Up Visa Program

Local Name Programme de visa pour démarrage d'entreprise

Type Startup

Status Suspended (ended Dec 31, 2025)

Formerly offered permanent residency to immigrant entrepreneurs backed by designated Canadian venture capital, angel investors, or incubators. Paused as of January 1, 2026, except for applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates who may apply by June 30, 2026.

📋 ELIGIBILITY

Min Age 18+

Criminal Record Check Required

Health Check Required

Endorsement Required Incubator

Health Insurance Not required

💼 WORK RIGHTS

Employment Allowed

Self-Employment Allowed

Own Business Allowed

Work Permit Included Yes

👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILY & DEPENDENTS

Dependents Allowed Yes

Spouse Included Yes

Max Child Age 22

Parents Allowed No

💰 TAX DETAILS

Tax Regime Worldwide

Regime Name Worldwide Income Tax

Foreign Income Taxed Yes

Capital Gains Taxed Yes

🏆 PATH FORWARD

Permanent Residency Yes

Dual Citizenship Allowed

Citizenship Yes

Years to Citizenship 3 years

Language Required Yes

🌍 BENEFITS & MOBILITY

Bank Account Can open

Property Purchase Allowed

Public Healthcare Access granted

📝 HOW TO APPLY

Method online

Processing Time 365–730 days

Apply from Abroad Yes

Official program page →

📝 NOTES

PAUSED as of January 1, 2026. IRCC stopped accepting commitment certificates after December 31, 2025; applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates must apply by June 30, 2026. IRCC also stopped accepting optional SUV work permit applications on December 19, 2025 except extensions for current in-Canada SUV work permit holders. Investment minimums were: $200,000 from designated VC funds or $75,000 from designated angel investor groups. IRCC says a new targeted entrepreneur pilot will be communicated in 2026.

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