Licensed Canadian immigration guidance
Canada's Start-Up Visa program offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs whose business idea receives support from a designated Canadian organization — a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. It sits alongside self-employed and provincial entrepreneur streams as the main routes for business-driven immigration.
A decade of files, decisions and outcomes across every major Canadian pathway.
What we handle
A sharper service plan
The right service is more than a checklist. It is a sequence that turns your facts into a coherent, review-ready pathway.
Start with the facts, goals, history and deadlines that shape the route.
Organize evidence, explanations and forms around the decision-maker’s concern.
Keep ownership, communication and the next deadline visible from start to finish.
A visual route guide
Every file has a human story behind it. These moments reflect the preparation, decisions and new beginnings that shape this service.
Your people and your purpose are part of the pathway—not an afterthought.
A strong case connects your goals, evidence and timing into one story.
The best route is the one that makes sense for the full picture.
Move with confidence when the plan reflects the decisions ahead.
Clear context helps important choices feel less overwhelming.
When the details align, the way forward becomes easier to act on.
The right support turns a complex process into a shared plan.
Build toward a place where your next opportunity can take root.
What this service covers
Use the guide below to understand the route before you book. Your existing page content remains the source of truth; this surface gives it the same visual hierarchy as the reference homepage.
Talk through your fileOpen this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.
Your service guide
Review the complete guide below, then use the consultation path when your situation needs a tailored strategy.
Canada's Start-Up Visa program offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs whose business idea receives support from a designated Canadian organization — a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. It sits alongside self-employed and provincial entrepreneur streams as the main routes for business-driven immigration.
Key figures at a glance
Source sequence preservedApplication timeline Sequence and requirements | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Detail |
| Qualifying business | Each applicant holds 10%+ of voting rights; together with the designated organization, applicants hold more than 50% |
| Designated organization support | A letter of support from a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator |
| Minimum investment (if applicable) | Roughly $200,000 from a designated venture capital fund, or $75,000 from an angel investor group |
| Language ability | CLB 5 in English or French across all four abilities |
| Settlement funds | Sufficient funds to support the applicant (and family) after arrival, unless already working in Canada |
Application timeline Sequence and requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | Who it's for | Key requirement |
| Start-Up Visa | Entrepreneurs with a scalable, innovative business idea | Designated organization support letter |
| Self-employed persons program | Applicants with relevant experience in cultural or athletic activities | Intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada |
| Provincial entrepreneur streams | Business owners investing in and actively managing a business in a specific province | Varies by province — typically a minimum investment and net worth threshold |
CLB 5 is the minimum threshold — a solid intermediate level across speaking, listening, reading, and writing, not full fluency.
Yes — up to five applicants can be named on a single qualifying business, provided each holds at least 10% of voting rights and the combined applicant ownership exceeds 50%.
Start-Up Visa requires support from a designated national-level organization and leads directly to permanent residence. Provincial entrepreneur streams are run by individual provinces, often require an initial work permit and a probationary period actively operating the business before a nomination is issued.
CTA: Book a Free Consultation to assess your business immigration fit.
Client success gallery
Explore moments from the Commonwealth Migration community, then visit our YouTube channel for the latest pathway conversations and client stories.
Bring your questions, history and documents to a focused review with a licensed Canadian immigration team.
Keep exploring your pathway
Use a free tool to pressure-test the route, or return to the pathway library when you are ready to compare options.
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