Canada business visa Immigration Visa Solutions
About the process
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
are innovative
can create jobs for Canadians
can compete on a global scale
Do you have an innovative business idea? If you can get support for your idea from one of the designated organizations, you may be able to immigrate to Canada.
Who can apply
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
have a qualifying business
get a letter of support from a designated organization
meet the language requirements
bring enough money to settle
Have a qualifying business
A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions.
At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization:
each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners)
AND
applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
At the time you receive your permanent residence:
you provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
an essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
this business is incorporated in Canada
You need to give your biometrics
In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply. Find out where biometrics fits in the application process.
How to apply
Get the application package
Pay your application fees
Submit your application
Get the application package
The application package for a start-up visa includes an instruction guide and a document checklist (PDF, 372KB).
Fill out the application form
Fill out the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] (PDF, 553.83KB) on your computer
Click the “Validate” button on the form. If there are any fields you still need to fill out, they will be outlined in red
Print the validated application form. Make sure to print all pages of the application form and the barcode page. The barcode page will come up after you validate the form. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.
Sign and date the form where asked
Complete the document checklist
Gather all supporting documents and information in the order identified in the Document Checklist (PDF, 371.86KB)
Check off each item
Place all identification and supporting documents in a sealed envelope
Print out the document checklist and sign it
Include the document checklist as the cover page of your application
You must include all the forms, supporting documents, signatures, language test results and the proof of payment of the processing fees. If any are missing, your application will be incomplete. We’ll send it back to you without processing it.
All of your answers must be complete and true. If we find that you gave us false information or left out important details:
your application could be refused
you could be found inadmissible and
you could be barred for five years from applying to come to Canada for any reason
Quebec Business Entrepreneur
Quebec Business Entrepreneur
Quebec Skilled Worker applicants intending to reside in the Province of Quebec are selected based upon a different set of criteria than applicants who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada. Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate.
Overview
Quebec Skilled Worker applicants intending to reside in the Province of Quebec are selected based upon a different set of criteria than applicants who wish to settle elsewhere in Canada. Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate.
To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, Skilled Worker applicants must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection system below. A single applicant must score at least 49 points based on the specific criteria. An applicant with a spouse or common law/conjugal partner must score at least 57 points based on the specific criteria.
Points are awarded for an applicant’s area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency, prior relationship with Quebec (through visits or family), the human capital factors of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and whether or not the applicant has a validated job offer in Quebec. If an individual satisfies the minimum points requirement for these factors, he or she may then gain additional points for any accompanying dependent children and proof of financial self-sufficiency. Candidates should note that a job offer is not required for the QSWP.
Quebec Immigration Selection Factors:
Education: Up to 14 points (Cut off Score = 2 points)
Area of Training: Up to 16 points
Validated Employment Offer: Up to 10 points
Work Experience: Up to 8 points
Age: Up to 16 points
Language Proficiency: Up to 22 points
Stay and Family in Quebec: Up to 8 points
Spouse/Common-law partner Characteristics: Up to 17 points
Children: Up to 8 points
Financial Self-Sufficiency: 1 point
Regular Stream Requirements
Intend to live in Quebec
High school graduate
Meet minimum points criteria
With validated job offer, quota does not apply
Language:
French CLB7 / B2
English IELTS General Training for bonus points
Work Experience:
6 Months in last 5 years
NOC 0, A, B, C occupations
Remunerated full time or equivalent (30 hours)
Apprenticeship, training or specialization recognized by a diploma; both remunerated and non-remunerated are accepted.
Foreign Students in Quebec Stream Requirements
Students who wish to enter the workforce and will not continue future studies
Hold a valid CAQ and study permit; currently meet the condition of both.
Study or studied the following:
Secondary vocational program of 900 plus hours
College studies program
Masters or advances graduate diploma
Doctoral program
Time Studied:
Minimum half of program if duration is less than 18 months or Masters, Grad Diploma, PhD
Minimum 12 months away from competition if duration of program is 18 plus moths.