Start-up Visa or Visa Start-up?

The Start-up Visa (SUV) program is a Canadian immigration stream designed to grant permanent residence to foreign entrepreneurs who establish innovative businesses in Canada (outside Quebec). To qualify, projects must (i) be innovative, (ii) create jobs for Canadians, and (iii) compete globally.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The program is called Start-up Visa because the start-up comes first, and the visa follows as a reward for meaningful contributions to Canada’s economy. Unfortunately, some entrepreneurs and practitioners reverse this logic—treating it as a Visa Start-up pathway where the visa is the primary goal, and the business is secondary or even irrelevant.

Advantages of the SUV Program

The SUV stands apart from provincial entrepreneur programs in several ways:

• Flexible experience requirements: No strict criteria for the entrepreneur’s experience as a business owner or manager.

• No mandatory profit/hiring targets: Applicants are not required to commit to specific KPIs or hiring numbers.

• Geographic freedom: Applicants can reside anywhere in Canada except Quebec while running their project, as long as they can justify their place of residence while operating the start-up.

• Group applications: Up to five applicants (and their families) can apply under one SUV project.

While these advantages make the SUV attractive, they are also frequently misunderstood or exploited.

Common Misuses and Misconceptions

Over the years, misuse of the SUV program has undermined its purpose. Examples include:

• Superficial business plans: Submitting several pages of a business plan with the belief that start-ups do not need to be implemented before PR applications are approved. This practice may have been true when the processing time was 12-18 months, but it does not seem accurate now that the processing time is getting longer. Also, IRCC officers are now having more chances to compare real projects and those that were set up merely for PR.

• Letter of Support ≠ PR: Mistaken belief that securing a Letter of Support guarantees permanent residence.

• No implementation or updates: Failing to invest in the project and show progress during long processing times.

• Groups of five strangers: Teams assembled without real collaboration or shared vision. Members fail to explain how they met one another and how they ended up joining the project.

• Irrelevant employment: Applicants using open work permits to pursue unrelated jobs instead of their SUV projects.

• Mandamus misuse: Attempting to force IRCC to approve PR despite weak projects.

Doing It Right

For Applicants and Business Advisors:

• Recognize that SUV is about building a real business, not just gaining PR.

• Ensure projects meet the three SUV criteria (innovation, job creation, global competitiveness).

• Demonstrate genuine progress and provide updates to IRCC.

• Maintain direct, informed communication with legal representatives.

For Immigration Practitioners:

• Stay informed about each client’s project details.

• Advise clients honestly if their project appears PR-focused rather than business-driven.

• Prepare clients for realistic expectations from IRCC officers.

• Advise clients on whether pursuing an application for a writ of mandamus is a good or a bad option.

Conclusion

The Start-up Visa program is a pathway to attract entrepreneurs who enrich Canada’s economy with innovation and global competitiveness. However, its integrity depends on applicants and practitioners treating it as a business-first program—not merely an immigration shortcut.

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