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Start-up Visa Program Onboard Immigration
The Start-up Visa program is aimed at encouraging foreign nationals to come to Canada and start their journey as an entrepreneur in Canada. If an applicant is interested in migrating to Canada and setting up a successful business in Canada, the Start-up Visa program is the best option.
With the help of the Start-up Visa program, the Canadian government along with IRCC opens up opportunities for businessmen from across the world to immigrate to Canada, start-up a business and eventually earn Permanent Residency status. The program is also perfect to support the businesses through funding in order to ensure they can grow successfully in the productive business environment that exists in Canada.
The Start-up Visa program is also designed so that the businesses can successfully contribute to the Canadian economy and open up new job opportunities for Canadian Citizens.
It is a fast-tracked program for all entrepreneurs around the globe. IRCC completes the application process for successful applicants in a few weeks as the Canadian Entrepreneur Visa opens up a gateway for Permanent Residency status and Canadian citizenship.
Are you interested in immigrating to Canada with the Start-up Visa program? Well, below we have outlined the steps involved in the process for successful completion of the Start-up Visa program:
Step 1: Business Consulting
Start-up Visa program has more success rate of completion when it is managed in teams. Through this consulting process, we assess the applicant and the business in this step to understand whether it’s a suitable fit for the program
Step 2: Acceptance Letter
Eligible applicants after completing the Business Consulting process will receive a Program Acceptance Letter from IRCC for the Start-Up Visa program. It also includes a request forwarded by the Canadian Government so that candidates can finish up the documentation and formalities within at least 2 weeks before the start of the program.
Step 3: Submit Completed Start Package
Applicants are required to provide an Applicant Start Package to the SBC in this step. We at Onboard Immigration, will work closely with you to ensure the successful submission of the start package well within the deadline. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) will work with you and an SBC advisor to complete the process.
Step 4: Meetings and Webinars
Time frame: (Week 1 to 6 )
A crucial step that helps the applicants to be confident with their pitch. We will help you with this, rather guide you at every step of the way while you are preparing your pitch and ideas. Attend the meetings and webinars to improve your business plan and product demo. These webinars are also aimed at making the applicant have a better understanding of how the business/start-up ecosystem is in Canada.
Step 5: Legal: Documentation and Accounting
Time frame: (Week 7 to 10)
Only businesses and applicants who fulfil all the legal requirements for the program will be eligible for the Start-up Visa. In this step, you will work closely with different SBC advisors from Onboard Immigration who will provide you with the required guidance. We will arrange venture meet with specialists and give you a clear understanding of your business’s legal, accounting and Intellectual Property (I.P.) requirements.
Step 6 – Letter of Support application
Time frame: (Week 11 to 12)
Your business’s entire business plan, documentation and the pitch can only guarantee successful completion of the process. Our expert SBC advisors will do a step-by-step review of the different aspects of your business and once they are convinced, they will recommend your application for interviews which eventually earns you the Letter of Support.
Step 7: Letter of Support Interview
Time frame: (Week 13 to 16)
Once the application for Letter of Support has been submitted and reviewed, applicants will receive an invitation for an interview. In this interview, the application will be reviewed and interviewers will hear and review the business pitch as well. The interview will happen over zoom call and the tips as well as tricks that you learnt in Step 4 (Webinars and Meetings) will help during the interview.
Step 8: Presentation of the Pitch
Time frame: (Week 17)
In this step, the applicants will get the opportunity to practice the pitch one more time, in a more detailed manner. You will be invited to showcase and present your idea in this pitch presentation event. Moreover, this event will be recorded and the Canadian Immigration Department keeps the copy for future reference.
Step 9: Due Diligence
Time frame: (Week 18 to 20)
After both the interviews are over and the applicant has received approval, he/she will also get the opportunity to enter the Due Diligence process. The Due Diligence process is complex and one of the most important steps in the Start-up Visa application. In this step, the business idea is carefully reviewed and a Due Diligence report is created. Market dynamics, Technology roadmaps, Investor documentation, Team strength, and more are taken into consideration while preparing the Due Diligence report.
Step 10: Issue of Letter of Support
Time frame: (Week 21)

The last step in the process, once the Due Diligence process gets completed, a Letter of Support will be issued for the applicant from the Canadian Government and IRCC.

As soon as the applicant receives the Letter of Support, we start with the work permit and permanent residency process. A licensed immigration professional will work closely with you to finalize the application.

Eligibility Criteria for the Start-up Visa Program
In order to qualify for the Startup Visa program, in addition to the above-mentioned steps, there are some added eligibility criteria to look for:

  • Proof of Minimum Language Requirement
All applicants must be capable of communicating in English, French or both. In order to meet the criteria, applicants will have to secure a minimum CLB 5 in speaking and CLB 4 in reading in a language test from IRCC approved agency. The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores are applicable for both English and French.
  • Proof of Education Requirement