Home »  Apply for Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program from India

 Apply for Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program from India

by Sonal Shukla

 Apply for Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program from India

Canada is quickly becoming a powerful force in the business world. With the newest addition to business offerings, Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program was devised to entice young entrepreneur’s with great ideas and visions to immigrate to Canada and start their businesses in Canada. To expand employment opportunities for residents, there is assistance now through the Canadian Government and this new program that will allow businesses to become successful sooner. Canada is also seeking to increase innovation through this program plus diversity. 

Of course, there are mandates and regulations to qualify for the program as this is not an invitation to just enter Canada without a business or even a plan for a business. Assistance is given to those that qualify and all the qualifications must be met in the Start-Up Visa Program offered by Canada. 

Some crucial requirements

Anyone who is seeking to be approved in the Start-Up Visa Program must show that there are enough funds available personally to sustain themselves and all their family members for enough time for the business to be successful in Canada. After all, it is a different country and culture. Language must also be considered and either French or English needs to be at least somewhat fluent. Anyone who is involved in a business must be a major stockholder of at least 50 percent of the company or the decision is not there to make to relocate. 

In addition, a letter of support is needed from an angel investor in case the business runs out of funding. To acquire this type of letter a business needs to find one or more investors on its own and it must be a reputable investor with funding capital of its own. These requirements ensure that only successful and driven individuals consider applying for the Start-Up Visa Program. 

Enhancing chances of acceptance

Canada does seek the most innovative ideas that will add the most to the business economy of Canada. It is therefore of course, wise to submit a very innovative business and to have a very detailed business plan. A mission statement or goal should be included that proves how a business can benefit Canada and the Canadian economy. 

Having a Canadian immigration attorney who is familiar with the Start-Up Visa Program can also assist immensely as the paperwork is very specific and can be daunting to many. Miss one crucial component and denial will occur. 

This program is not a hand-out by the Government of Canada to those that only want entry to Canada. The goal is to add employment opportunities so researching what is needed and wanted in Canada should be done to ensure that a business is a “good fit” for the program. It is by no means a welfare type of government handout. It takes work and preparation for acceptance into the program. 

What types of businesses does Canada seek? 

Unlike the USA where large businesses can be in the majority, Canada does support small to mid-sized businesses and with diversity in mind, supports female-owned businesses. Agricultural and agri-product businesses are sought, as are technological businesses and of course, any type of freight or shipping as Canada is well known for its intermodal freight shipping processes. 

Hospitality and food industry businesses are also needed and welcomed in Canada and would be good candidates for the Start-Up Visa Program. Of course, it is wise to not make assumptions and other categories of business can receive approval. 

Choice of location can matter highly

While opportunities to become part of the Start-up Visa Program exist throughout Canada, as of 2022, the best provinces and territories for relocation immigration of business were British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Saskatchewan, and other less populous provinces and territories. 

These locations because they are more remote can lack businesses and business opportunities therefore a choice of these locations in which to immigrate a business to Canada can indeed enhance success in participation in the program. Hospitality and freight businesses are generally welcomed in the outer provinces and territories. 

An application for permanent residency assists

The Canadian Government is seeking permanent business entities and therefore it can assist if the application for the Start-Up Visa Program also includes an application for Permanent Residency. This shows intent to contribute to the Canadian economy for a lifetime not just to propel a business into success and then move on from Canada. The longer a business shows it is committed to Canada, the more likely the Canadian Government is to assist with the approval of a Start-up Visa Program application. 

Canada is growing by leaps and bounds as is the economy. The Canadian Government has many programs in place now to assist in the relocation of immigrant and minority business owners to Canada but acceptance into this program should not be taken for granted or lightly. 

Relocation to another country is always difficult and when relocating a business the stakes are even higher as culture, language, and values must be absorbed into the corporate culture of the business. Fees for Permanent Residency must also be factored into the equation as well as the fees for the Start-Up Visa Program. 

Conclusion on the Start-Up Visa Program

This is a generous program and the latest in the arsenal of programs the Canadian Government is offering to increase economic stability and to increase employment opportunities. The best and most complete applications are the ones that are chosen however and an immigration attorney who has knowledge of the Start-Up Visa Program should be on hand for advice at least

It takes from 12 to 16 months at the very least for approval as the Canadian Government goes over these applications very thoroughly. If rejection occurs it is possible to reapply but mistakes should be remedied first and there is a waiting period between the submissions of multiple applications

This program is new and changes will occur no doubt as time goes on so rejection should be seen as a learning experience if that occurs and businesses should not become discouraged. 

Related Posts

Leave a Comment