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Canada Country Overview
Canada is renowned for its excellent healthcare system, which is universally accessible and provided to all Canadians, regardless of their income or health status. The Canadian healthcare system is comprehensive and includes coverage for hospital stays, prescription drugs, home and community care, and mental health services.
The Canadian education system is also highly regarded and is considered one of the best in the world. Canada has a strong focus on quality education, with over 80% of the population completing post-secondary education. Canada also has a strong commitment to making education accessible to all, with low tuition fees and various financial aid options available.
Immigrants have been a core part of Canada’s culture since its inception. In 2018, almost 21% of Canada’s population was foreign born and this has had a major effect on the country’s culture. Canada is home to a vibrant and diverse population, with over 200 languages spoken across the country.
The country boasts various immigration routes, and the most popular investment immigration channels in the past few years has been the Canadian Start Up Visa.
Canada Start-Up Visa Program

The Start-up Visa Program is a Canadian immigration program designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs from around the world to come to Canada and establish their business. The Canada Startup Visa program is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Canada. This program allows foreign entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency in Canada by demonstrating that their business idea is innovative, has growth potential, and can create jobs for Canadians. The program is designed to attract talented entrepreneurs worldwide and help them establish their businesses in Canada. By providing access to a world-class education system, a diverse and skilled workforce, and a supportive business environment, Canada is an ideal destination for startups looking to expand and succeed in the global market.
The program is designed to help these entrepreneurs succeed and create jobs in Canada. The program is open to entrepreneurs who have the required experience, have a qualifying business and can demonstrate that their business has the potential to create jobs and become commercially viable.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must have proof of a signed commitment from a designated business incubator or venture capital fund and must meet certain language and education requirements. Successful applicants will receive a work permit and may be eligible for permanent residence.
The Start Up Visa program offers successful applicants direct permanent residence, removing the risk of them losing their immigration status if their business does not succeed, as Canada understands that the chances of a start up succeeding depend on various variables and market conditions.
By having a permanent residency, applicants are no longer bound to the success of their business to maintain their status, and they have a clear pathway to citizenship as they only need to spend three years in Canada to apply for naturalization.
Applying for a Canada Startup Visa can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, with the help of our team, we can simplify the process and provide you with the guidance and support needed to apply for this visa successfully. Our team has extensive knowledge and experience in the Canadian immigration system. We can help you navigate the application process, from preparing your business plan to submitting your application. With our assistance, you can increase your chances of obtaining a Canada Startup Visa and begin building your business in Canada.

The Start Up Visa program has no set minimum investment amount, rather the company’s capital must correspond to the nature of its activity and objectives. The normal range one should expect to invest, whether they work with a business incubator or angel investor, ranges between $150,000 to $300,000, depending on the specifics of their business. This is not a requirement nor a threshold they have to meet, and it will all come down to the business requirements, it just has to make sense.
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Qualification Criteria
To qualify for the Start Up Visa an applicant must:
- Demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher.
- Be able to demonstrate a clean background,
- Meet the ownership requirements for their proposed business.
- Demonstrate that the proposed business is likely to be successful.
- Demonstrate that they have sufficient unencumbered personal funds to settle in Canada.
Eligible Family Members
An investor can add these family members to their application:
- Spouse
- Dependent children below 22 years of age

Investment Options
Canada’s Start Up Visa only has one investment option which is to create an innovative business on Canadian soil. The investment amount is not fixed, and may vary depending on the business size, activity, staff, overhead, and other asset requirements. The usual range of investment varies between $150,000-$300,000 depending on the business.
It is important to note that the Start Up Visa allows applicants to partner with up to four other investors under one application, meaning they can tinker with their business cost and that way only one innovative idea is needed for five applicants.
The Process
Canada’s Start Up Visa has a straightforward process that consists of a few steps. However, while issuing a permanent residency can take between 10-14 months, applicants have the option to issue a work permit after three months of applying in order to get to Canada and collect their permanent residence once it is issued.
The steps to obtaining a Canadian Start Up Visa are:
Day 1
MoveAnywhere will conduct preliminary due diligence on the client prior to signing
Week 1
MoveAnywhere will analyze your case and assist you in choosing the best investment option
Week 3
Create a business plan (can be done by our partners)
Week 6
Our partners will apply for an endorsement letter by a recognized party
Week 8
Apply for the Start Up Visa
Week 12
Apply for work permit and move to Canada (optional)
Month 10-14
Collect Permanent residence
The Benefits
The Canada Startup Visa comes with a plethora of benefits, including:
- Gain direct permanent residence in Canada that is not contingent on the success of the business
- Invest in an innovative business of your choice within one of the best economies in the world
- Ability to add up to five investors into one application
- Gain access to Canada’s immense healthcare system
- Simple route to Canadian citizenship and obtaining one of the best passports in the world
- Simple process handled by our network of experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the term innovative may also include businesses that are not available in Canada. You can also join an investor who has an idea as a partner in the business if you don’t have your own idea ready.
There is no fixed minimum investment amount for the Start Up Visa. While a range between $150,000-$300,000 is the norm, the investment amount depends on the scale and activity of the business.
Yes, applicants can apply for a work permit that allows them to travel and live in Canada until their permanent residence card is issued.
No, as a permanent residence holder, your residency status is not contingent on the success of your business.
You can apply for Canadian citizenship after three years of residing in Canada as a permanent resident.
Do I need an innovative idea to apply for the Start Up Visa?
Yes, but the term innovative may also include businesses that are not available in Canada. You can also join an investor who has an idea as a partner in the business if you don’t have your own idea ready.
What is the Start Up Visa’s minimum investment amount?
There is no fixed minimum investment amount for the Start Up Visa. While a range between $150,000-$300,000 is the norm, the investment amount depends on the scale and activity of the business.
Can I move to Canada before my permanent residence card is issued?
Yes, applicants can apply for a work permit that allows them to travel and live in Canada until their permanent residence card is issued.
Will I lose my immigration status if my start up fails?
No, as a permanent residence holder, your residency status is not contingent on the success of your business.