The Canadian dream has brought millions of people to Canada, and if you are reading this blog, you can be the next one. Most people would move to Canada on a work visa or a permanent resident visa. But what if you are not interested in working for anybody but yourself in Canada? You wouldn’t want to compete against the regular express entry program because it is very competitive, and if you come through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), it might restrict you to a province. So, if you want to start a new business in Canada and apply for business visa of Canada, we do have a piece of good news for you. Read on to know more.
What is the Start-Up Visa Program?
The Start-Up Visa Program is a special way for entrepreneurs from other countries with good ideas for new businesses to move to Canada. Successful applicants will get permanent residency, which will let them set up and run their new business in Canada.
What is the Application Process?
Step 1: Come up with a new idea for a business
The first step is to come up with a new business idea that meets the requirements of the Start-Up Visa Program. Your business idea must be new, scalable, and have the ability to help Canada’s economy in a big way.
Step 2: Get a support letter
You need a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian group in order to move forward with your application. These groups could be seed investor groups, venture capital funds, or groups that help start new businesses. They will review your business plan and send you a Letter of Support if they think it has a chance of success. You can check the entire list of such designated organizations here.
Step 3: Meet the requirements for language and education
Applicants must show that they can speak English or French, which are both recognized languages in Canada. You also need to show proof that you have at least one year of post-secondary schooling.
You must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 base level in either English or French in all four of these areas:
- Speaking
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
Step 4: Show enough money for the settlement
To live in Canada well, you need to have enough money. The number of members in a family decides the amount you’ll need to show for settlement. The Letter of Support from the designated group could include financial help to meet this need. Remember, this money is for you and your family to settle in Canada and not for your business expenses.
The number of
family members (including you) |
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
1 | $13,757 |
2 | $17,127 |
3 | $21,055 |
4 | $25,564 |
5 | $28,994 |
6 | $32,700 |
7 | $36,407 |
7+ | $3,706 for every additional member |
Please note these numbers might change. We suggest you keep an eye on it here.
Step 5: Send in your form
Once you have the Letter of Support and all the other documents you need, you can send your Start-Up Visa application. To avoid delays or refusals, it’s important to ensure all forms are filled out correctly, and all supporting papers are included.
Step 6: Wait for the processing
When you send in your application, IRCC will look at it. The time it takes to process can vary, so patience is key at this step. At Visa Immigration, we have a lot of knowledge about expected processing times and possible outcomes.
At the time of writing this article, the processing time shown on the IRCC website is 37 months.
But from our experience, we have seen that it varies from application to application. Your visa might get approved sooner or later, purely based on how proper your documents are.
Step 7: A medical exam and checks for safety
If your application is chosen, you and your family (if you have one) will have to go through physical exams and security checks as part of the process of being admitted.
Step 8: Get a permanent place to live
You will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa if you finish the application process and meet all the standards. Congratulations! You are now all set to start your business in Canada.
Why hire a professional to help you apply for business visa instead of doing it yourself?
At first look, the process for applying for a Canadian Start-Up Visa might seem easy, leading some people who want to start their own business to think about doing it themselves. But working with professionals like Visa Immigration can make all the difference in how well your application is accepted. Here are some compelling reasons to hire a professional:
Expert advice
Companies that help people move to Canada have a team of immigration lawyers and other legal professionals who know much about Canadian immigration law. Their knowledge makes sure that your application is correct, full, and in line with the latest rules. This reduces the chance of mistakes or missing information that could cause delays or rejections.
A personalized approach
Every immigration case is different, and an immigration company will pay attention to your needs in a way that fits your situation. They look at your skills, talk to you about possible problems, and come up with a plan to help you succeed.
Full support
Applying for a Start-Up Visa involves a lot of steps and paperwork. An immigration company walks you through the whole process, making sure you meet all the requirements, get all the papers you need, and send in a complete application package. If your documents are not properly submitted, you can expect a lot of delays, but with an immigration company, you can rest assured that your documentation part is proper.
Solving complications
The rules and requirements for immigration can change, making the process complicated. A company that helps with immigration stays updated on what’s going on, making it easier for you to deal with complicated situations and possible problems.
Language support
If you don’t speak English or French well, an immigration company can help you with language standards and provide language support to ensure you meet the necessary criteria.
Strong representation
If you need to appeal or if there are problems with your application, an immigration company can stand up for you and fight for you. They know how to deal with possible problems and make a strong case.
Peace of mind
Deciding to move to a new country is a big choice that can affect your whole life. Knowing that your case is being handled by experts with years of experience lets you focus on your business goals while leaving the complicated application to the experts.
The Canadian Start-Up Visa Program gives foreign business people a golden chance to bring their new business ideas to Canada and live there permanently. If you follow this step-by-step application guide and work with Visa Immigration, your path to doing business in Canada will be easier and more successful. Let’s work together to make your dreams of starting up and building your business in Canada come true. Contact us today to apply for business visa!