Path to staying
- Permanent residencypossible
- Citizenshipafter 3 years
- Permanent residency
- Citizenship 3 years
- Dual citizenship allowed
- Language required for citizenship
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
- Minimum age 18+
- Criminal record check required
- Health check required
- Health insurance not required
- Endorsement Incubator
Work rights
- Employment allowed
- Self-employment allowed
- Own a business allowed
- Work permit included
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Max child age
- 22
- Parents allowed
- No
Benefits and mobility
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare access granted
Tax
- Tax regime
- Worldwide
- Regime name
- Worldwide Income Tax
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Capital gains taxed
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- online
- Processing time
- 365–730 days
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
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.