Effective December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., IRCC will stop accepting new SUV Program applications, except for those from applicants who have a valid commitment from a designated organization that was made in 2025 but haven’t applied yet.
Effective December 19, 2025, IRCC is no longer accepting applications for the optional work permit available to SUV Program applicants, except for those already in Canada applying to extend their current SUV work permit.
More information about the new pilot program for entrepreneurs will be communicated in 2026.
If you are a talented and brillant entrepreneur capable of creating a business in Canada that (i) is original and creative, (ii) will create work opportunities for residents, and (iii) could become an international player. This article will let you know the eligibility requirement, the application process and supporting documents you need to succeed in your application.
Start-up Visa Program – Eligibility Requirements
In order for you to be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you have five main requirements that you need to fulfill:
- Prove that your business is supported by a designated organization (see below). Those are Canadian venture capital firms, angel investors groups and business incubators, that need to issue you a Letter of Support. You need to contact them directly to ask for support.
- Show that the designated organization(s) that supports you hold(s) at least 50% of voting rights in the business and that you and a maximum of 4 others persons, hold the remaining 50% of voting rights, each one having at least 10% of voting rights.
- Prove that you meet the minimum language requirements, either in French or in English. You must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all of these four areas: speaking, reading, listening, and writing. You can learn more about the French test and the English test requirement here.
- Bring enough money to settle. The amount needed, updated every year, depends on the number of family members that are coming with you. You will need to show proof that you own the money and that it is not borrowed. The funds must be readily transferable funds in a convertible currency. Find out more the amounts here (same amounts required as for Express Entry).
- You must not intend to live in the province of Quebec.
Start-up Visa Program – List of Designated Organizations
The list of Designated Organizations that could help your application for the start-up visa program is set by Immigration, Refugees, and Immigration Canada (IRCC). The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements.
In order to be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you will have to receive support from one of the Designated Organizations, either a Venture Capital Fund (min investment of $200,000), a Angel Investor Group (min investment of $75,000), or a Business Incubator (no min investment).
Each calendar year until December 31, 2026, IRCC will only be considering 10 applications per designated organization. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
IRCC is currently prioritizing applications backed by the following:
- Venture Capital Funds
- Angel Investor Groups
- Business Incubators with committed capital
- Organizations in Canada’s Tech Network, labelled Priority processing in the lists below.
Designated Venture Capital Funds
You must get one or more of these groups to agree to invest a minimum of $200,000 – All Venture Capital Funds are “Priority processing” designated organisations :
- 7 Gate Ventures
- Alt Ventures
- Amplitude Ventures Inc.
- Apex Innovative Investments Ventures
- Arete Pacific Tech Ventures (VCC) Corp
- BCF Ventures
- BDC Venture Capital
- Extreme Venture Partners LLP
- Golden Venture Partners Fund, LP
- INP Capital
- iNovia Capital Inc.
- Intrinsic Venture Capital
- Invest Nova Scotia
- PRIVEQ Capital Funds
- Red Leaf Capital Corp
- Relay Ventures
- Tangentia Ventures
- Top Renergy Inc.
- Vanedge Capital Limited Partnership
- WhiteHaven Venture
- Westcap Management Ltd.
- Yaletown Venture Partners Inc.
- York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) VC Fund
Designated Angel Investor Groups
You must get one or more investors connected to these groups to agree to invest a minimum of $75,000 – All Angel Investor Groups are “Priority processing” designated organisations :
Designated Business Incubators
You must be accepted into one of these programs – Only some Business Incubators are tagged as “Priority processing” designated organisations :
- Alacrity Foundation
- Alberta Food Centre
- Alberta IoT Association
- Altitude Accelerator
- Bhive
- Biomedical Commercialization Canada Inc. (operating as Manitoba Innovates, previously as Manitoba Technology Accelerator)
- Ability to issue commitment certificates suspended from December 19, 2025 to September 19, 2026.
- Brilliant Catalyst
- DMZ Ventures
- Empowered Startups Ltd.
- Extreme Innovations
- Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre
- Genesis Priority processing
- Highline BETA Inc.
- Innovate Calgary
- Innovate Eastman Inc.
- Innovation Cluster – Peterborough and the Kawarthas
- Innovation Factory Priority processing
- Interactive Niagara Media Cluster o/a Innovate Niagara Priority processing
- Intrinsic Innovations
- ISM Arts & Culture Ltd
- Ignite o/a Planet Hatch
- Global Startups Accelerator
- Launch Academy – Vancouver
- LaunchPad PEI Inc.
- Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship
- NEXT Canada
- Niagara Business & Innovation Fund
- North Forge Technology Exchange Priority processing
- Pacific Technology Ventures
- Platform Calgary Priority processing
- Pycap
- Red Leaf Capital Corp
- Roseview Global Incubator
- Spark Commercialization and Innovation Centre
- Spring Activator
- The DMZ Priority processing
- Think8 Global Institute
- TiE Toronto
- Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC)
- Treefrog
- TSRV Canada Inc. (operating as Techstars Canada)
- University of Toronto Entrepreneurship Hatchery
- ventureLAB Innovation Centre Priority processing
- VIATEC Priority processing
- Waterloo Accelerator Centre Priority processing
- York Entrepreneurship Development Institute
- YSpace (York University)
Start-up Visa Program – Biometrics Requirements
Start-up Visa Program – Medical Exam Requirements
Start-up Visa Program – Application Fees
When applying to the Start-up Visa Program, you must pay a $1,895 Business Immigration application fee in addition to the $600 Right of Permanent Residence fee, making a total of $2,495 for a single applicant.
For your spouse or common-law partner, you also need to pay a $990 Application fee and a $600 Right of Permanent Residence fee. For each dependent child, you need to add $270.
The processing fees are not refundable if the application processing started. The RPRF is refundable if the application is rejected, if you decide to cancel your application, or if you decide not to come to Canada.
Start-up Visa Program – Processing Times
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not have a target service standard of processing for Start-up Visa Program applications.
You can find out the current average processing times here. You need to select “Economic Class”, then “Start-up Visa”.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
You can learn more about these programs and how to apply here.
