Federal Start-up Visa Program

As of April 1, 2013, Federal Immigration Canada is accepting applications for the Start-up Visa, a program designed to attract innovative immigrant entrepreneurs to invest in Canada, create new jobs, and promote economic growth. The program links immigrant entrepreneurs with organizations in Canada that have entrepreneurial experience and can provide significant resources, and is part of a series of reforms to Canada's immigration system designed to speed up the processing of immigration applications and make them more flexible and responsive to the needs of the Canadian economy.

To help these entrepreneurs realize their potential and maximize their impact on the Canadian labour market, applicants need the support of a Canadian angel investor group or venture capital fund prior to applying for the Entrepreneurship Visa Program. First, Immigration Canada will work with two organizations: the Canadian Venture and Private Equity Association (CVCA) and the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO). CIC also works with the Canadian Business Incubation Association to add these incubatees to the list of eligible organizations as quickly as possible.

Entrepreneurial immigrant applicants must meet the following three minimum requirements.

(1) Have a letter of support (obtained with the help of the company) from a Canadian angel investment group or venture capital fund;

(2) Pass the Canadian Language Standards (CLB / NCLC) Level 5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing English;

(3) High school or higher education.