Canada Business Immigration FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Canada Business Immigration covers PR pathways for entrepreneurs and self-employed applicants. The main federal routes are the Start-Up Visa Program and the Self-Employed Persons Program, though the self-employed program is currently paused for new applications.

The Start-Up Visa Program is for innovative entrepreneurs with support from an IRCC-designated organization. The Self-Employed Persons Program is for cultural and athletic professionals, but IRCC stopped accepting new federal applications on April 30, 2024.

The Start-Up Visa Program is a PR pathway for entrepreneurs with an innovative business and a Letter of Support from a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.

Applicants need a qualifying business, a Letter of Support, CLB 5 in English or French, enough settlement funds, and admissibility clearance. Up to 5 founders can apply if ownership and voting-right rules are met.

IRCC does not set a fixed personal investment amount. Support must come from a designated organization: a qualifying VC investment, angel investment, or incubator acceptance, depending on the sponsor type.

No. IRCC paused the federal Self-Employed Persons Program for new applications from April 30, 2024. Existing applicants should follow IRCC updates, and new applicants should review other PR pathways.

The federal program targeted people with at least 2 years of relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who could become self-employed in Canada and contribute to Canadian cultural or athletic life.

Not by itself. The federal self-employed program was limited to cultural activities and athletics. General business ownership, consulting, trading, or unrelated freelancing usually does not qualify.

The SEPP selection grid is scored out of 100, with a 35-point pass mark. IRCC scores education, experience, age, language, and adaptability after checking whether the applicant fits the self-employed definition.

Start-Up Visa applicants need CLB 5 in all 4 abilities. SEPP had no fixed minimum, but English or French ability was scored, so approved test results could strengthen the application.

Applicants must show enough unencumbered settlement funds for their family size. Start-Up Visa has no fixed personal investment minimum, and SEPP had no fixed net-worth threshold, but funds must be available and credible.

Yes. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included in the PR application. Each family member must pass applicable medical, security, and background checks.

No. Federal Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Program applicants must intend to live outside Quebec. Quebec runs separate business and self-employed immigration pathways through its own system.