Entrepreneur — North America

🇨🇦Canada

Start-up Visa

Last verified · 31 May 2026

Direct PR for founders backed by a Canadian designated organisation.

Duration

PR on grant (work permit while pending)

Threshold

Letter of Support from designated VC, angel group or incubator + ≈ C$15,263 settlement funds

Application fee

C$2,140 main + C$575 spouse

Path to PR

Permanent residency on grant; citizenship at 3 of 5 years.

Tax treatment

Worldwide taxation from PR.

Family

Up to 5 founders per business; spouses and minors included.

Required documents

·Letter of Support from designated organisation
·Business plan and ownership structure
·Settlement funds proof

Things to know

·CLB 5 in English or French required.
·PAUSED for new applicants from 1 January 2026 — only holders of a valid 2025 letter of support may apply for PR (until 30 June 2026); a new entrepreneur pilot is to be announced.
·Intake caps: 5,000 (2024) → 2,000 (2025) → 1,000 (2026–27).

Apostille & legalization

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and Canada are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Apostille / legalisation

None of the listed documents are civil-status, criminal-record, medical or academic records, so an apostille is generally not required for this visa. Bank statements, employment contracts and application forms are accepted as-is (translated when needed).

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Canada — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Canada immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.

Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Official immigration portal

Last verified 31 May 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.