Start-up Visa Program — Canada

Program status:

As of 31 December 2025, IRCC stopped accepting most new Start-up Visa applications, with a narrow exception for applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate from a designated organization who applied by 30 June 2026. The information below describes how the program works for applications already in process.

The Start-up Visa Program allows you to apply for permanent residence if you plan to launch an innovative business in Canada. Applications go directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This program is separate from the Self-Employed Persons Program (also paused since 30 April 2024), Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It focuses on qualifying start-up founders.

Key Forms and Documents

Applicants prepare specific forms and supporting evidence:

• Form IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Canada
• Form IMM 5766 – Start-Up Business Class form
• IMM 5760 – Document Checklist: Start-up Business Class
• Supporting documents listed in the checklist

All forms and evidence must be submitted together.

Fees and Processing

The processing times are standard as of March 2026. Always confirm current fees with IRCC.

Typical Immigration Pathway

Many applicants follow this sequence:

1. Employer-specific work permit

2. Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa), if required

3. Permanent residence under the Start-up Visa Program

IRCC processes the application. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) decides admissibility at the border.

You must meet the minimum language standard of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. This level must show up in each ability.

Provide complete and accurate details about your business, including the qualifying percentage of voting rights you hold.

IRCC starts processing your application when it receives a complete file and finishes when it makes a decision. Delays happen if information is incomplete or incorrect.

Key Requirements at a Glance

Check every field before submission. Missing documents or errors slow things down.

Checklist before you apply:

• Confirm CLB 5 test results
• Review ownership and voting structure
• Complete all required forms, including IMM 0008 and IMM 5766 if needed
• Make sure every document matches the instructions

The Start-up Visa Program operates separately from Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Self-Employed Persons Program. Apply under the correct program and follow IRCC’s specific instructions.

Pay application fees directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when you submit your Start-up Visa Program application. Fee amounts change, so confirm the current CAD (CA$) amounts using the IRCC fee schedule before you apply.

Your application package usually includes:

• Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada)
• Form IMM 5766 (Start-up Business Class – Commitment Certificate and related forms, if required)
• Proof of language ability at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5

IRCC calculates processing times from the day your complete application arrives until a decision is made. Incomplete applications cause delays.

*Processing times vary by category and processing location. Verify current timelines with IRCC.

IRCC updates estimates regularly. Timelines reflect how long IRCC expects to process an application submitted in a specific month and year. Non-routine cases may take longer.

If you’re comparing options, Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Self-Employed Persons Program follow different systems and timelines. Each program has its own estimates through IRCC.

Check processing times before submitting, especially if your business plan depends on a specific launch schedule.

To apply under the Start-up Visa Program, follow the instructions for your specific eligibility category. IRCC assesses your application based on the category you select.

Complete the required forms accurately and provide full personal details. This typically includes:

• Telephone and email contact details
• Social Insurance Number (if applicable)
• Financial information
• Medical history
• Work history

IRCC requires complete and truthful disclosure. Incomplete or inconsistent information can cause delays.

Required Forms

Submit the correct application package for your category. Common forms include:

• Form IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Canada
• Form IMM 5766 – Additional Family Information (if required under your category)

Review IRCC form instructions before submission. Requirements differ from the Self-Employed Persons Program, Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The processing times may change if applicant numbers exceed Canada’s annual immigration targets. Check current timelines with IRCC before applying.

Begin your path to permanent residence through the Start-up Visa Program by meeting strict ownership and financial rules. You and your designated organization must control more than 50% of the total voting rights in the business.

Bring enough settlement funds. Borrowed money isn’t allowed.

Key Eligibility Points

• Hold required voting rights with the designated organization
• Apply before the annual cap for designated organization submissions is reached
• Submit complete forms and documents to IRCC
• Ensure medical exams for all family members remain valid at the same time
• Apply together if seeking the maximum family fee

Required Forms

Use the most current versions and follow the checklist using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Include every required document.

Fees and Work Authorization

If you apply for a work permit while your permanent residence application is in process, pay the per-person fee above.

Processing and Timing

IRCC publishes monthly processing time estimates based on when you apply. If you live outside Canada or the United States, add 3 to 4 months for mailing time.

Other pathways such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or the Self-Employed Persons Program have different criteria.

Under the Start-up Visa Program, you must invest in a qualifying business and hold at least 10% of the total voting rights in that business.

IRCC reviews your ownership structure as part of your permanent residence application. Document your role and share when you submit forms like Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5766, if required.

Your investment must meet these requirements:

• Own 10% or more of total voting rights in the qualifying business
• The business must qualify under the Start-up Visa Program
• Remain actively involved as required by IRCC

If you apply as part of a group, check how IRCC assesses eligibility. Some programs require a group of three or more performing artists and their staff to qualify for a group fee. While this structure appears in other pathways such as the Self-Employed Persons Program, confirm that your business arrangement meets Start-up Visa requirements.

Not every applicant or family member will qualify. IRCC may find you or a family member ineligible based on program rules.

Other pathways, such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), use different selection criteria and investment expectations.

You apply for permanent residence through the Start-up Visa Program with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can’t submit your application without a valid letter of support from a designated organization.

If your application includes a valid 2025 commitment certificate, file it by June 30,

1. Missing this deadline prevents processing.

Each founder in the business must submit their own permanent residence application before IRCC will process any of them.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Secure a letter of support from a designated organization.

2. Complete the required permanent residence forms.

3. Ensure each team member submits their own application package.

4. Submit the full application to IRCC before any applicable deadline.

Required Forms and Documents

• Letter of support from a designated organization
• Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada)
• Form IMM 5766 (Start-up Business Class form)
• Any additional documents listed in the IRCC document checklist

If you don’t include the letter of support, IRCC will refuse the application.

Key Deadlines and Requirements

After approval under the Start-up Visa Program, some applicants later pursue pathways such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), depending on their circumstances. The Self-Employed Persons Program is a separate stream and does not replace Start-up Visa requirements.

Seek legal guidance when IRCC requests extra documents, including proof of residence or other supporting records. A request for additional evidence usually means your file needs clarification.

If you get a document request, act quickly and review your submission line by line. Errors or missing details on forms like Form IMM 0008 or Form IMM 5766 can delay processing under the Start-up Visa Program.

Certain scenarios increase risk and require closer review:

• Incomplete or inconsistent residence documents
• Prior applications under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
• A past or concurrent application through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Previous consideration under the Self-Employed Persons Program

Ensure all information you provide to IRCC is consistent across programs. Differences between applications can trigger further scrutiny.

The table below highlights situations where professional input can reduce risk:

If you face document requests or overlapping applications, structured legal review can help you respond accurately and within IRCC requirements.

Incomplete or unsigned forms will stop your Start-up Visa Program application right away. IRCC expects every field on Form IMM 0008 and Form IMM 5766 to be filled out and properly signed.

Go through each form line by line before you send anything in. Missing information causes delays and can result in refusal.

Here's a checklist of common issues:

• Leaving mandatory questions blank
• Forgetting signatures where required
• Submitting outdated or partially filled forms
• Providing inconsistent information across documents
• Failing to complete all required sections for accompanying family members

If you’ve applied through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or the Self-Employed Persons Program, make sure your personal history, work history, and declarations match across all applications.

IRCC checks your entire immigration record. Discrepancies invite extra scrutiny.

The table below outlines key form-related risks:

You're responsible for accuracy, even if a representative prepares your file. Review every page and confirm all required sections are complete and signed.