Canadian Immigration – Start-up Visa Program

The Start-up Visa Program is an initiative by the Canadian immigration department, which targets skillful entrepreneurs who are willing to settle down and build their businesses in Canada. These entrepreneurs should have the following abilities in general.

• Capable of creating new jobs for Canadians
• Can manage to compete globally
• Have an innovative business idea

Canada is the ideal place to start your business and here are a few reasons for this preference.

• Minimum taxes
• Superior living standard
• Less business cost
• Strong economy

Eligibility Criteria for Start-up Visa Program

Prior to applying for this visa category, the candidate must fulfill the following eligibility requirements.

Must have a Business Idea Supported by Designated Organization in Canada

The applicant must seek the support of a designated organization and obtain a Letter of Support.

This letter should be a part of the application and failure to do so may result in refusal.

Business Should Meet Ownership Requirements

• At least 10 % of the voting rights in the business should be available to each of the applicant
• Over 50 % of the voting rights in the business should be jointly available to the applicants and designated organization
• Only five people may apply for this category as the owners of a single business.

Meet the Language Requirements

The applicant must pass the language proficiency test by meeting the minimum level of (CLB) 5 and attach the result with the application.

Proof of Sufficient Money

The money you may need to settle in Canada depends on the size of each family. The Canadian government does not provide any kind of financial support to the Start-up Visa holder.

You must have sufficient money to settle in Canada and support your dependents.

The required funds vary based on the size of your family and are subject to annual updates by Canada’s immigration department.

• For a family with one member, $13,757 in Canadian dollars is necessary.
• For a family of two, the required amount is $17,127.
• Families with three members need $21,055.
• A family of four requires $25,564.
• For families with five members, the necessary funds are $28,994.
• Families of six members must have $32,700.
• For families with seven members, the required amount is $36,407.
• If the family size exceeds seven people, an additional $3,706 is needed for each extra family member.

How to Apply for the Canada Start-Up Visa Program?

To apply for the Canada Start-Up Visa program, follow these steps:

1. Biometrics Requirement:

In most cases, after applying, you need to provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics).

2. Online Application:

To initiate the application process, it is now mandatory to apply online, effective October 14, 2022. If an online application poses challenges and you require accommodations, particularly for a disability, alternative formats such as paper, braille, or large print can be requested.

To get started, sign in or create an account on the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal. The Instruction Guide (IMM 5759) is a valuable resource to assist you in correctly filling out the necessary forms.

Ensure that all required elements are included in your application, such as forms, supporting documents, signatures (if needed), language test results, and proof of payment for processing fees. Incomplete submissions, where any of these elements are missing, will be returned without processing.

All your responses must be both complete and truthful. Providing false information or omitting crucial details may result in severe consequences:

1. Your application may face rejection.
2. It’s possible to declare you ineligible.
3. A prohibition from applying to come to Canada for any reason could be in effect for five years.

3. Digital Forms:

Complete digital forms online for yourself and family members aged 18 or older, including:

1. Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
2. Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
3. Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
4. Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)

Also, fill out PDF forms. There is no need for signatures for these forms. Once you fill forms, upload them to your online application:

1. Document Checklist [IMM 5760]
2. Schedule 13 – Business Immigration Programs – Start-Up Business [IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 13]

4. Additional PDF Forms:

If applicable, complete and sign PDF forms (print and upload):

1. Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409]
2. Separation Declaration for Minors Traveling to Canada [IMM 5604]

5. Immigration Representative:

If using a representative, follow the process outlined in the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] form.

6. Authorization Forms:

If releasing information to someone other than yourself, submit the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] form.

7. Photo Specifications:

Provide one photo for each person on the application, following the online application instructions.

8. Technical Issues:

If encountering technical difficulties, use the web form to contact authorities, specifying the program and including relevant screenshots.

9. Pay Application Fees:

Pay online for processing fees, Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), biometrics, and third-party fees.

10. Biometrics Fee:

1. Pay the biometrics fee with a complete application.
2. Upon payment, receive a letter confirming the need for biometrics and where to go.
3. Schedule an appointment if required.

11. Temporary Changes to Biometrics:

Ensure you promptly schedule your biometrics appointments to prevent any delays. If you encounter challenges in booking appointments, explore temporary measures that may be in place.

12. Third-Party Fees:

Depending on the situation, pay third parties for medical exams, police certificates, and language testing.

13. Submit Your Online Application:

If applying with multiple partners in a qualifying business, all applications must be received before processing. Each business partner must submit their application. Inform authorities promptly if a team member does not submit a permanent residence application.

For further assistance, you can contact us at immigrationexperts.pk.

Application Fees for Start-UP Visa Program

As of April 30, 2022, there has been a change in the application fee for the Start-Up Visa Program, which is now set at CAD$2,140. This includes the processing fee for your application and that of the family members who will accompany you to Canada. You have to pay the application fee for each member of your family who is mentioned in your application. Before you submit your application, make sure to check the fee and pay it accordingly.

This fee adjustment is part of a broader update by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) affecting fees for various permanent residence applications, covering economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian classes.

Right of Permanent Residence Fee

Besides the application fee, you will also have to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. However, this application is payable in case of approval and you should pay it before receiving the title of permanent resident.

This amount is refundable during following circumstances.

• In case your application is rejected
• After cancellation of your application
• If you are not going to Canada

You are bound to pay the “Right of permanent residence fee” of your spouse or common-law partner. In this way, your spouse or common-law partner will join you in Canada and become a permanent resident.

In order to gain further information as for how to pay the fee, feel free to contact us at immigrationexperts.pk.

Other Fees

Apart from above-mentioned fees, you may also require paying other fees such as a medical exam, police certificate, language testing and fee for using services at a Visa Application Centre.

Things to Consider for Start-Up Visa Program

Before submitting your application, make sure that you have:

• signed all the forms including the application
• Attached are all the supporting documents
• Answered all the questions
• Paid your processing fee

If the application form is incomplete or you have failed to attach a necessary document, it will be sent back to you for correction of errors. This will cause an unpleasant delay in processing of your application. To avoid this inconvenience, try to follow the Document Checklist before filing the application.

In addition to this, the applicant must also follow these steps in order to start the application process.

• Attach the barcode page(s) and all other pages related
• Print the barcode page(s)
• You must perform online validation of the Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] by clicking on the “Validate” button

This is necessary to make sure that the application is complete and to avoid further delays.

To seek more information about the barcode form, please contact us at immigrationexperts.pk.

Things to Consider While Preparing for Your Arrival

Before leaving for Canada, you must plan your arrival and make a list of all the necessary documents, which you may need. For your assistance, we have created a list of most important documents without which it is impossible to enter Canada.

• Valid passport/travel documents
• The passport should be a regular one i.e private passport. It is not possible to seek Canadian immigration with a public affairs, diplomatic or government servant passport.
• Valid permanent resident visa
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

The concerned immigration officer will see through the documents and verify that you are entering Canada before or on the expiry date. The date on the permanent resident visa is not extendable.

In addition, the officer will ask you certain questions to make sure that you fulfill the eligibility criteria regarding Canadian immigration. You are also bound to provide valid proof with reference to your ability to support you and your family while living in Canada. Even at this stage, you may not be allowed to enter into Canada. This happens when you provide incomplete, unauthentic or false information to the CBSA officer.

Disclosure of funds

In case you arrive in Canada possessing more than CAN$10,000, it is necessary to inform CBSA officer to avoid any fine or seizure of funds. The funds that you will be carrying may be in any of the following forms.

• Stocks, securities that belong to you
• Debentures, cash, bonds, treasury bills
• Money orders, traveler’s Cheques, or bankers’ drafts/cheques