Canada’s start-up visa program gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to immigrate to Canada in order to establish a new business. Immigrant entrepreneurs must demonstrate that their business is innovative, will create new jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale.

Applicants to Canada’s Start-Up Visa program must meet four basic eligibility requirements:

1. Have a qualifying business;
2. Obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support;
3. Have sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds, updated each year (the requirements identical to those for skilled workers);
4. Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5) ;