# Start-Up Visa Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/programs/business-migration/canada/start-up · Updated: 2026-10-09 Obtain Canada Start-Up Visa. Contact Savory & Partners' expert consultants now to learn more about the Canada Start-Up Visa. ## Canada Start-Up Visa Requirements The Canada Start-up Visa program is designed for innovative entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand a business in Canada. Endorsed by a designated organisation, applicants must have a viable, scalable, and innovative business idea. This visa requires securing a commitment from a designated organisation and allows an initial stay that can lead to permanent residency. The program offers a streamlined path for entrepreneurs who are looking for a visa to establish their business in Canada and contribute to its economy and foster innovation. ## Main Applicant Requirements - 18+ years of age - Good health - No criminal record - Business idea endorsed by a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator) - Meeting language requirements (English or French) - Sufficient settlement funds ## Eligible Dependents - Spouse or partner of the main applicant - Children (biological or adopted) under 22 years of age ## Canada Start-Up Visa Benefits ## Business & Employment Permanent residents in Canada are also known as landed immigrants. As a permanent resident/landed immigrant, you can legally work in the start-up venture and open other businesses in Canada if you so desire. ## Health & Education Access to world-class health services and high standard education opportunities for you and your family. ## Straightforward Process Designed to be a smooth and straightforward process with a timeframe that varies depending on processing times. ## Pathway to citizenship You qualify to become a Canadian national and eligible for a Canadian passport if you reside in Canada for a minimum of 3 years within a 5-year period. ## Dual Citizenship Permitted There is no need to renounce your current citizenship(s), and your home authorities are not notified of your new citizenship. ## Legal Basis The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and associated regulations governs Canada's Start-up Visa, allowing individuals who fulfil the specified requirements to obtain permanent residency. ## Associated Costs Processing Fees & RPRF (Right of Permanent Residence Fee) as follows: | Item | Amount | | --- | --- | | Main Applicant | C$2,385 | | Spouse | C$1,525 | | Dependent child below 22 | C$260 | | Biometrics fees | C$170 | ## Application Process For Canada Start-Up Visa The expected timeframe for the application process is 10 years. The initial stage of document collection can vary depending on the applicant’s ability to gather the necessary documents. Our team guides this process with samples and best practice advice. The review stage is subject to the respective government schedule and can be impacted by factors which we, as authorised agents, have no control over. Savory & Partners collaborates with the government throughout the entire process, aiming to provide the quickest and smoothest experience for the applicant. 1. Savory & Partners will pre-screen your passport copy for government pre-approval. A down payment of the professional fees is required to open your application. The response is in 24-48 hours. 2. During this stage, Savory & Partners will help you prepare a comprehensive business plan that outlines the operations, financial projections, and growth potential of your enterprise. 3. Savory & Partners' professional team will assist and advise you with the collection of the required documents according to the government checklist. This ensures that all necessary paperwork is correctly compiled and submitted. 4. Submit your business plan and supporting documents to a designated organisation (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator). Savory & Partners will guide you through this process to obtain the necessary endorsement for your business idea. 5. After receiving the endorsement, Savory & Partners will assist you in submitting your Start-Up Visa application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes compiling all necessary documentation and completing the application forms. 6. Attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre. Savory & Partners will also provide interview preparation to ensure you are ready to present and discuss your business plan and investment. 7. Once your visa is approved, you will receive your Start-Up Visa and can make arrangements to travel to Canada. Savory & Partners will assist with any final preparations needed for your relocation. 8. Upon arrival in Canada, establish and operate your business according to your endorsed business plan. Savory & Partners will continue to provide support and advice to ensure your business complies with Canadian regulations. 9. Maintain compliance with the Start-Up Visa requirements. After 3 years of residency, you may apply for Canadian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria. ## Application Process 10 Years ## Visa-free Countries for Canada Start-Up Visa Visa-free destinations: Canadian Start-Up Visa primarily grants you the right to live and work in Canada. ### Visa-free access - Canada ## Client Success Stories ### Business Expansion in the UK **The Challenge** A Palestinian business owner based in Dubai approached us with a key challenge: He was thriving in the UAE but had big dreams of expanding his business into Europe, starting with the UK. The problem? As a majority shareholder in his company, he didn’t qualify for the sole representative visa—the usual pathway for this kind of situation. To make matters worse, the sole representative visa program was discontinued just as he came to us in May 2022. Still, our client was determined to make it work, and we knew we had to find a solution. **Our Solution** After hearing his story and understanding his goals, we recommended the UK Expansion Worker Visa. This visa is perfect for senior managers or specialists who want to set up a branch of their company in the UK. It wasn’t going to be easy, but we saw his potential and got to work. **Here’s what we did: **we helped him collect all the right evidence to prove that his business in the UAE was not only thriving but ready to take on the UK market. We showed the authorities past and upcoming projects with UK clients, making it clear that a UK branch wasn’t just a nice idea—it was a necessity. **The Result** Thanks to the solid case we built, our client got the visa. Now, he’s setting up his UK branch and taking his business to the next level. But that’s not all. This visa also opens the door for him to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years. And because he’s eyeing even bigger opportunities across Europe, we’re also helping him acquire a Caribbean passport. With that, he’ll have visa-free access to over 150 countries—making his global expansion dreams a reality. _Why Choose the UK Expansion Worker Visa?_ The UK Expansion Worker Visa lets you stay in the UK for one of two durations—whichever comes first: - **12 months** from the start date of the job listed on your certificate of sponsorship, or - The duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, **plus an extra 14 days**. If you need more time, you can extend it for another 12 months, up to a total of two years under this visa. ## Download brochure - Length: 4 pages - Language: English & Arabic - size: 1 mb **Content** - Canada Country profile - Benefits of the program - Investment requirements - Investment process ## About Start-Up Visa - CAPITAL: Ottawa - TOTAL AREA: 9,984,670 km² - POPULATION: 42,512,000 - LANGUAGE(S): English & French - CURRENCY: Canadian Dollar (CAD) - EXCHANGE RATE: C$1 = $0.73 - GDP – PER CAPITA (2025): $53,560 - GDP – TOTAL (2025): $2.23 trillion ### About Canada Canada is known for its stunning natural landscapes, multicultural cities, and high quality of life. It has a stable political environment, a strong economy, and a robust legal framework for business and investment. Canada offers a welcoming environment for immigrants and is renowned for its diversity and inclusive society. The country has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, providing a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities year-round. Canada experiences four distinct seasons, providing a wide range of recreational activities year-round. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking, fishing, and camping in the summer, Canada offers a plethora of outdoor activities. Canada has strong global ties and is a member of several international organisations, including the United Nations, NATO, G7, G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations. Its strategic location and well-developed transportation infrastructure make it a hub for international trade and travel. Canada's friendly immigration policies, high quality of life, and economic opportunities make it an attractive destination for individuals and families looking to relocate and build a prosperous future. ### Where is Canada? Canada has a vast geography that occupies much of the continent of North America, sharing a land border with the contiguous United States to the south and the U.S. state of Alaska to the northwest. This North American country stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean.