Start-up visa to Canada

Status in 2026: closed to new applicants

Who this matters to now. People already working in Canada on a start-up visa work permit: it can be extended while the permanent residence application is processed. People who applied for permanent residence by 30 June 2026: their applications are processed as usual. Everyone else can no longer apply under this programme.

The government has said a new pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs will launch in 2026, but in 2026 its criteria, caps and application process have not been published. We do not charge for preparing for a programme whose rules do not exist yet, and we say so on the call.

What works now: the Global Talent Stream for professionals with a job offer, provincial entrepreneur streams, remote-work stays to get to know the country, and, among start-up visas, the European alternatives compared in European start-up visas 2026. The latest Canadian changes are in Canada immigration changes in September 2026. Below is how the programme worked before the pause, useful if the new pilot keeps similar mechanics.

Programme conditions before the closure

The program was designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas that can create jobs for Canadians and compete at a global level.

Key conditions

• Support from a designated organization. A letter of support from a venture capital fund (investment from 200,000 Canadian dollars), an angel investor group (from 75,000 Canadian dollars) or a business incubator.
• Business ownership. The applicant must hold at least 10% of the company's shares, and the applicants together with the designated organization - more than 50%.
• Language. English or French at level 5 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
• Financial capacity. Proof of sufficient funds to live in Canada.

Changes from 3 October 2024

The program strengthened its support for entrepreneurs: applicants identified as essential by the designated organization could receive a three-year open work permit (OWP), which lets them work for other employers while building the startup. Family members could also apply for an OWP, and dependants for a study permit. These permits have not been issued since 19 December 2025.

Why the programme closed and what is known about the new pilot

The reason was the queue. By the end of 2025 about 43,000 applications were waiting, and the estimated processing time for new applicants exceeded 10 years. At the same time, Canada's 2026-2028 immigration levels plan halved federal business immigration from 1,000 to 500 principal applicants a year.

To replace the start-up visa, the government is preparing a new pilot for entrepreneurs with a high economic impact. According to the immigration department, it targets founders with proven funding and a validated market rather than early-stage ideas. In 2026 there is no published minimum investment, no revenue or job targets, no role for designated funds and incubators and no launch date. When the conditions come out, we cover them on this page.

Which routes are open to entrepreneurs in Canada in 2026

• Provincial entrepreneur programmes. Open in several provinces and territories: the British Columbia regional stream, the Alberta rural stream and the programmes of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Regional streams ask for an investment from 100,000 Canadian dollars (about $70,200) and personal net worth from 300,000 (about $210,500). You get a work permit first and permanent residence once the business is running. Ontario has closed its entrepreneur stream.
• Work permit for a business owner. Fits if you own at least 51% of a Canadian company and can prove a significant benefit to the country: jobs, technology, exports.
• Intra-company transfer. For owners of an established business abroad opening a branch or subsidiary in Canada.
• Global Talent Stream. For specialists with a job offer from a Canadian company: the work visa takes about 2 weeks.

Each route tests something different: money, management experience or a job offer. We choose the route after reviewing the project and assets.

Costs item by item

• federal permanent residence fee in the business category: 2,495 Canadian dollars for the principal applicant (about $1,800), including the right of permanent residence fee;
• spouse: 1,590 Canadian dollars (about $1,200), each child: 270 (about $190);
• biometrics: 85 Canadian dollars per person (about $60), capped at 170 per family (about $120);
• work permit: 155 Canadian dollars (about $110);
• citizenship after 3 years in the country: 653 Canadian dollars per adult (about $460) and 100 per child (about $80);
• provincial fees, the business investment and source-of-funds checks depend on the programme.

Federal permanent residence fees alone for a family of three start from $3,200. Exchange rate: 1.43 Canadian dollars per US dollar on 6 October 2026. Our support fee is quoted by a manager in the chat.

Taxes for an entrepreneur in Canada

A Canadian tax resident pays tax on worldwide income. The federal rate in 2026 is 14% to 33%, plus a provincial rate. In Quebec the combined top rate is 53.31%. Foreign property costing more than 100,000 Canadian dollars (about $70,200) must be reported every year. More on the Taxes in Canada page. Decide where the company sits and how you pay yourself before the move: restructuring later costs more.

How to get approved on the open routes

• the business plan is not convincing: no market, revenue or job figures;
• the lawful source of money and assets is not proven;
• management or ownership experience is shorter than the programme requires;
• the exploratory visit to the province was not made where the programme requires it;
• for the business owner work permit, a significant benefit to Canada is not proven.

Comparison with start-up visas in other countries

If Canada itself matters, the route today is a provincial programme or the business owner permit. If a fast residence permit matters more, European start-up visas are closer.

What Canada's start-up visa gave

What to do now: step by step

FAQ