Vietnam
Hong Kong
TaiwanAn immigration firm with a technology background
Global Immigrate has its own in-house developers who build each client’s proof of concept — business plan plus website or app prototype — with nothing outsourced.
Canadian start-up immigration
Canada Federal Start-up Visa (SUV)
The programme is closed to new applications; we continue to support filed cases and are following IRCC’s new entrepreneur pilot closely.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Important: Canada’s federal Start-up Visa programme was paused on 30 June 2026 and is not accepting new applications. IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates after 31 December 2025; holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate had until 30 June 2026 to apply. The optional SUV work permit closed to new applications on 19 December 2025; only applicants already in Canada on an SUV work permit can extend it, and their PR applications are processed first. Accepted applications continue to be processed. IRCC has announced a new pilot programme for immigrant entrepreneurs, but it has not launched yet; details are subject to official announcement. We can advise on alternative routes for your situation and will let you know as soon as the new pilot opens.
Programme overview
The Canada Start-up Visa is a federal programme that attracts entrepreneurs from overseas. Applicants must set up a new innovative business in Canada and obtain a letter of support from a government-designated incubator. Global Immigrate specialises in the SUV: our in-house developers build a business tailored to each client, write the business plan and develop a prototype (website or app), and we support company registration, the letter of support and running the start-up throughout.
Not sure this programme is the best fit?
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InvestmentNo investment requirement
Previously, PR inAbout 18 months
LanguageCLB 5
StatusPaused; new pilot to be announced
Summary
SUV applicants need a qualifying new business, a letter of support from a designated incubator, CLB 5, and sufficient settlement funds based on family size (CAD 15,263 for a single applicant, CAD 28,362 for a family of four), plus a police certificate and medical examination before immigrating. Our all-inclusive service covers the business plan, prototype, incubator, application and company support, with permanent residence previously granted in about 18 months in our past cases (not an official figure). The programme closed to new applications on 1 January 2026 (holders of a 2025 commitment certificate could apply until 30 June 2026; this has now closed), and IRCC plans a new pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs.
Key benefits of SUV
- Permanent residence directlySUV is a federal PR programme: on approval the whole family gets PR, with no provincial nomination first.
- No investment threshold via an incubatorIRCC sets no minimum investment or net worth, only settlement funds based on family size.
- Up to five co-foundersApply alone or with up to five owners, each holding at least 10% of the voting rights.
- Language at CLB 5English or French at CLB 5 meets the language requirement; IRCC sets no education or age requirement.
- Priority for those already in CanadaApplicants in Canada on an SUV work permit have their PR applications prioritised and can extend their permits.
- Citizenship in as little as three yearsWith 1,095 days in Canada within five years as a PR, and other conditions met, you can apply; Canada allows dual citizenship.
Why Global Immigrate for SUV
- families approved
- 100+
- approval rate
- 93%
- offering this programme since
- 2018
Close ties with Canadian incubators
Our founders have strong research backgrounds and work closely with several Canadian incubators, helping clients secure letters of support.
A company built around your background
We set up a new company for each client and support registration, banking and operations throughout.
Full refund without a letter of support
If you are not accepted by a Canadian government-designated incubator or do not receive a letter of support, for any reason, Global Immigrate refunds 100% of your fees.
Requirements
Before the programme was paused, applicants needed:
- A qualifying new business
- A letter of support from a Canadian government-designated incubator
- Language at CLB 5
- Sufficient settlement funds: CAD 15,263 for a single applicant, CAD 28,362 for a family of four (based on family size)
- A police certificate and medical examination before immigrating
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
What our fee includes
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Business plan | Writing the business plan and a tailored pitch deck |
| Prototype | A website or app built by our in-house developers |
| Incubator | Incubator fees and securing the letter of support |
| Application | Filing the application and preparing every document, handled by our professional immigration team |
| Company | Registering your Canadian company and opening a business bank account |
| Operations | Support in running the start-up throughout |
Fees exclude settlement funds, government fees, medical examinations, police certificates and other third-party costs.
Free SUV brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and business direction1–2 weeksWe choose a business direction that suits your background.
- Business plan and prototype1–3 monthsWe write the business plan and pitch deck, and our in-house developers build a website or app prototype.
- Incubator and letter of supportPer the incubator’s timelineJoin a designated incubator and obtain the letter of support — with a full refund if it cannot be obtained.
- Permanent residence applicationPreviously about 18 monthsFile the permanent residence application with the letter of support; applicants already in Canada on an SUV work permit are now processed first.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Permanent residenceClosed to new applications from 2026
Applications already filed lead directly to Canadian permanent residence for the family (those already in Canada on an SUV work permit can apply to extend it).
Keeping permanent statusAt least 730 days (2 years) physically in Canada in any 5-year period; the days need not be continuous
- Canadian citizenshipAbout 3 years after PR
Apply to become a Canadian citizen and get a Canadian passport; ages 18–54 must show English or French and pass the citizenship test. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Residence for citizenshipAt least 1,095 days (3 years) physically in Canada in the 5 years before applying, filing taxes for 3 of those years
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
SUV client stories
Client storyA Taiwanese engineer applies for the Start-up Visa with an ed-tech project
Mr Wu’s SUV experience. With a technical background, he wanted the whole family to move to Canada.
Read the full storyClient storyThree partners apply for the Start-up Visa with one businessThree restaurant partners’ SUV experience. They wanted to move to Canada together and build a restaurant-technology business.
Read the full storyClient storyDocuments expired while waiting — following up a Start-up Visa applicationMr Chou’s SUV experience. He had applied for the Start-up Visa and wanted permanent residence to go smoothly.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Canada
See the Canada overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration | From CAD 200,000 (Regional CAD 100,000) | Permanent resident | About 4 years from registration to PR | Running a business in British Columbia, including around Vancouver |
| Alberta AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | CAD 100,000 (CAD 50,000 outside Calgary/Edmonton) | Permanent resident | Nomination after at least 12 months of operation | Graduates with a degree from outside Canada launching an innovative business |
| New Brunswick NB Business Immigration | CAD 150,000 | Permanent resident | Depends on invitation and business progress | A lower cost of living and a slower pace of life |
| Canada Federal Start-up Visa (SUV)This programme | No investment requirement | Permanent resident | Paused for new applications | Clients who have already filed and need support with work permits and requests for information |
SUV FAQ
Can I still apply for the SUV?
No. The programme closed to new applications on 1 January 2026, and the window for 2025 commitment-certificate holders ended on 30 June 2026; only accepted applications are being processed. IRCC plans a new pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs, and we will let you know as soon as it opens.
Is the SUV about buying an existing business?
No. The SUV requires a new innovative business in Canada; we build a company specifically around your background.
What if I cannot get a letter of support?
If you are not accepted by a Canadian government-designated incubator or do not receive a letter of support, for any reason, Global Immigrate refunds 100% of your fees.
Do I need to code or build the product myself?
No. Global Immigrate has its own in-house developers who build your website or app prototype, with nothing outsourced.
Will the SUV reopen?
IRCC says the pause is a transition to a new, targeted pilot programme for immigrant entrepreneurs, with more information to be announced in 2026; no opening date has been given yet.
I have already applied — am I affected?
Applications already filed continue to be processed, though it may take longer. Work permit holders can apply for extensions if they meet the conditions.
Sources
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