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Start-Up Visa Program in Canada: Immigrate with a Start-Up Visa Program, Work Permit, & Requirements & Designated Organization

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Learn about the Canada Start-Up Visa program, work permit options, designated organizations, and how to immigrate as an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs reviewing business and financial documents for a Canadian Start-Up Visa.

Canada's Start-Up Visa Program has been an important business immigration pathway for entrepreneurs who want to build an innovative company in Canada. The program was designed for immigrant entrepreneurs whose businesses have the potential to create jobs for Canadians and compete internationally.

However, applicants and businesses need to be aware of a major program update in 2026. The Start-Up Visa Program is currently paused, and IRCC is not accepting new applications. As of January 1, 2026, new applications were no longer accepted, except from applicants holding a valid commitment certificate issued in 2025, who had until June 30, 2026, to submit their permanent residence application. IRCC continues to process applications accepted before that deadline.

For entrepreneurs whose applications were submitted before the pause, understanding the program's eligibility criteria, supporting documentation, designated organizations, work permit options, and translation requirements remains important.

For businesses, founders, and designated organizations handling documentation, accurate translations can also be an important part of preparing corporate and personal records for immigration and business purposes.

Our professional translators work with documents in multiple languages, helping entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations prepare accurate documentation for Canadian and international use. Feel free to contact us for a quote!

What Is a Start-Up Visa Program for Entrepreneurs in Canada?

Entrepreneur searching for information about the Canada Start-Up Visa Program.

The Canada Start-Up Visa Program, also called the SUV program, was created to attract immigrant entrepreneurs who can build businesses in Canada and establish innovative companies. The program applies to all provinces and territories except Quebec.

The program focuses on a business idea that has the potential to develop innovative products or services, create jobs for Canadians, compete on a global scale, and contribute to Canada's economy.

Unlike some business immigration pathways that focus primarily on an applicant's personal investment or net worth, the Start-Up Visa program centres on support from a designated organization. A qualifying principal applicant needs a commitment from an eligible designated organization, such as a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.

The program is therefore closely connected to both business immigration and Canada's innovation ecosystem. It is also important to distinguish the Start-Up Visa from programs such as Express Entry, the Atlantic Immigration Program, Quebec immigration programs, or the Self-Employed Persons Program, as each has its own eligibility criteria and application process.

As of 2026, however, entrepreneurs should not treat the Start-Up Visa as an open pathway for new applicants. IRCC confirms that the Start-Up Visa program was paused and that new applications are not currently being accepted. Those researching how to immigrate with a Start-Up Visa should review the current program status before preparing an application.

Start-Up Visa Program: Eligibility Requirements for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur reviewing financial documents and business budget for Start-Up Visa eligibility.

For applications that qualified under the program's final intake rules, applicants generally needed to meet several requirements involving the business venture, ownership, language ability, settlement funds, and admissibility. Applicants whose files are already in process should also review IRCC's current processing times.

Commitment from a designated organization

One of the most important requirements was obtaining support from a designated organization. Applicants could review the list of designated organizations to identify an eligible organization for their business venture.

Depending on the type of organization, support could come from:

The applicable investment thresholds were at least CAD 200,000 from a designated venture capital fund or CAD 75,000 from a designated angel investor group. A business incubator could support an entrepreneur by accepting the business into a qualifying incubation or acceleration program.

Ownership and voting rights

The applicant also had to meet the applicable ownership requirements. Each applicant needed to hold at least 10% of the voting rights in the business, while the applicants and designated organization collectively needed to hold more than 50% of the voting rights. These requirements helped ensure that the applicant had a meaningful role in the Canadian start-up rather than acting only as a passive investor.

Language requirements

Applicants were required to demonstrate English or French proficiency at a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

Language results are important immigration documents and should be submitted according to IRCC's requirements. If supporting records are issued in a language other than English or French, applicants may also need certified translations depending on the document and application requirements.

Settlement funds

Applicants were also expected to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their accompanying family members after arriving in Canada. This requirement was separate from the investment amount or support provided by a designated organization. A business commitment did not automatically replace the applicant's personal settlement-fund requirements.

Admissibility

Applicants and accompanying family members may also be subject to medical, criminality, security, and other admissibility requirements. Police certificates, civil-status records, passports, identity documents, and other personal records may therefore form part of the application package.

For applicants who were eligible under the final intake, it was important to apply for the Start-Up Visa with complete and properly prepared documentation. Because Canadian immigration programs and their requirements can change, applicants should verify the latest information with IRCC before preparing or submitting documents.

Designated Organizations, Investors and Business Incubators

Business team discussing a start-up proposal and investment opportunities in Canada.

A designated organization played a central role in the Start-Up Visa process.

Canada's designated organizations included venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators that were authorized to support immigrant entrepreneurs under the program.

Each type of organization had a different role.

Designated venture capital funds

A designated venture capital fund had to commit a minimum investment of CAD 200,000 in the applicant's business.

This type of support was intended for start-ups with the potential to grow and compete in broader markets.

Designated angel investor groups

A designated angel investor group had to commit a minimum investment of CAD 75,000.

Angel investors can provide both capital and business experience, although the Start-Up Visa requirement was specifically connected to the organization's qualifying commitment.

Designated business incubators

A designated business incubator did not have to provide the same minimum financial investment. Instead, it needed to accept the immigrant entrepreneur into its qualifying incubation or acceleration program.

This made the business incubator route different from the investment-based options.

IRCC's current information confirms that designated organizations are no longer accepting new Start-Up Visa commitments following the program pause. IRCC also stopped accepting commitment certificates from organizations after December 31, 2025, and no new organizations are currently being designated.

For applications already submitted under the final intake, the commitment certificate and Letter of Support remain important records. IRCC states that applicants had to submit their permanent residence application before the commitment certificate expired and include the Letter of Support with the application.

Start-Up Visa Work Permit and Permanent Residence for Business Migration

Work permit application form for an entrepreneur seeking to work in Canada.

The Start-Up Visa pathway was connected to both permanent residence and temporary work authorization.

Eligible entrepreneurs could use a work permit option to come to Canada and work on their qualifying business while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed.

IRCC stopped accepting new applications for the optional Start-Up Visa work permit on December 19, 2025. Entrepreneurs who already hold a work permit under the Start-up Visa Program may be able to extend it while their permanent residence application is being processed. This option applies only to existing work permit holders and cannot be used to begin a new Start-Up Visa application.

Before the work permit option closed, eligibility required the designated organization to identify the entrepreneur as an "essential applicant" on the commitment certificate. The work permit was a short-term permit issued under the International Mobility Program, and entrepreneurs could apply for it before or after submitting their permanent residence application, provided they had a Letter of Support from the designated organization.

Permanent residence application

The permanent residence application requires more than the business concept itself.

Applicants may need to provide:

Depending on the founders' circumstances and countries of origin, some documents may not be issued in English or French. In those cases, translation requirements need to be considered before the application is finalized.

A complete application also requires careful attention to consistency. Names, dates of birth, company names, addresses, ownership information, and other details should match across corporate and personal documents.

Translation of Founder and Corporate Documents for IRCC

Professionals reviewing and preparing corporate documents for a Canadian immigration application.

For Start-Up Visa applicants, documentation can involve both personal records and business records.

Founders may need translations of documents such as:

The exact documents required depend on the applicant's circumstances and the instructions applicable to the application.

Certified translation matters

When documents are issued in a language other than English or French, the translation needs to follow the receiving authority's requirements.

For an immigration application, it is important not to assume that an ordinary business translation is automatically acceptable as a certified translation.

Our team works with professional translators to prepare documents according to the applicable certification requirements. We can also review the intended use of a document before determining whether certification, notarization, or another form of authentication may be appropriate.

This distinction is particularly important for business owners because corporate documents may be prepared for several different purposes at the same time.

For example, a founder may need one translated corporate document for an immigration application and another version for a foreign bank, investor, government authority, or corporate filing. The receiving authority may have different requirements for each use.

The goal is not simply to translate the words. The documentation must be prepared in a way that is appropriate for the authority receiving it.

Apostille and Legalization for Start-Up Visa Documents

Official document being stamped for authentication and legalization.

Apostille and legalization can become relevant when Canadian documents are intended for use outside Canada, but they should not automatically be treated as requirements for a Canada Start-Up Visa application.

This distinction is important.

The Canadian Start-Up Visa application is an immigration process handled by IRCC. Apostille and legalization, on the other hand, generally concern the recognition of documents in another country.

For example, a founder may have Canadian corporate documents that need to be presented to an overseas authority, foreign investor, bank, government agency, or business partner. In that situation, the receiving country may require authentication, an apostille, or consular legalization.

Canada's Apostille Convention framework has been in effect since January 11, 2024. An apostille is a specific type of authentication certificate used for documents intended for countries that are parties to the Apostille Convention. For countries outside that framework, additional legalization may be required depending on the destination country's rules.

Translation requirements for authentication

Global Affairs Canada states that a Canadian document containing content in a language other than English or French generally requires a certified translation for authentication purposes, subject to applicable exceptions. The translation may need to be certified by a member of a recognized provincial translation association or handled through an applicable Canadian notarial attestation process.

The correct process depends on:

Global Affairs Canada also confirms that some provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, have their own competent authorities responsible for apostilles for documents issued or notarized within their respective jurisdictions.

For this reason, we recommend confirming the destination country's requirements before arranging an apostille or legalization. An apostille is not simply another form of certified translation, and obtaining one when it is not required can add unnecessary time and cost.

How We Help With Start-Up Visa Documentation

Approved business document with official stamp and signature.

Start-Up Visa documentation can involve several types of records, particularly when multiple founders, family members, companies, investors, and jurisdictions are involved. Our team provides professional translation and document services for business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and organizations that require accurate documentation for Canadian and international use.

We assist with certified translations of personal documents, corporate and business documents, contracts and agreements, financial and corporate records, and immigration documentation. Where required, we also provide proofreading and quality review, notarized translations, document authentication support, and apostille and legalization services for eligible Canadian documents. We can also translate documents intended for submission to foreign authorities, helping ensure that the documents are prepared according to the requirements of the receiving jurisdiction.

For a Start-Up Visa applicant, accuracy is particularly important because personal and corporate information may appear across multiple documents. Differences in company names, ownership information, dates, addresses, or personal names can create avoidable questions during document review. Our process begins by reviewing the documents and understanding where they will be submitted. We then determine the appropriate translation and certification approach based on the requirements of the receiving authority.

Not sure whether your documents require certified translation, notarization, or legalization? Our team can review your documents and help determine the appropriate requirements.