The Start-Up Visa Canada (SUV) program is an immigration pathway for foreign entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Canada, enabling them to obtain Permanent Residency (PR) if their business project meets requirements for innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness. Once an accessible route for investors over the past decade, the SUV program has now tightened its conditions, limited the number of projects and supporting organizations, making participation more challenging. Join Phan Immigration to explore the significant changes introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as this may be the final phase to seize the opportunity for immigration through SUV in this article.
Target Groups for the Start-Up Visa Canada Program
The following groups are eligible to participate in the Start-Up Visa Canada program:
- Owners of an eligible business or individuals with an innovative business idea.
- Applicants whose project has received a Letter of Support from a government-designated start-up support organization in Canada.
- Applicants who meet the minimum language requirement (CLB 5, equivalent to IELTS General 5.0).
- Applicants with sufficient funds to settle and invest in their business in Canada.
- Applicants with no criminal record and who meet Canada’s health requirements.
Documents Required for the Start-Up Visa Program
To participate in the Start-Up Visa Canada program, you need to prepare a complete set of documents, including the following:
General Documents
- All photocopies must be notarized within the last 6 months.
- If documents are not in English or French, a notarized translation from a translation company or the Department of Justice is required.
List of Forms
- Document Checklist (Form IMM5760).
- Application for Immigration to Canada (Form IMM0008).
- Declaration of Dependents (if applicable) (Form IMM0008DEP).
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (Form IMM 5669).
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels (Form IMM 5562).
- Schedule 13 – Business Immigration Program – Start-Up Business (Form IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 13).
- Additional Family Information (Form IMM 5406).
- Use of a Representative Declaration (if applicable) (Form IMM 5476).
Personal Documents
- Passport (photocopies of all pages with information).
- Visa of the country/territory of residence (if living outside your country of citizenship).
- Two 5 x 7 cm photos (taken within the last 6 months, meeting photo standards).
- Birth certificate.
- Legal documents showing changes to name/date of birth (if applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce decree (if applicable).
- Form IMM5409 and proof of 12 months of continuous cohabitation (if in a common-law relationship), including:
- Joint bank account statements.
- Lease agreement.
- Bills or receipts showing both names.
- Death certificate of spouse (if widowed).
- National ID or Citizen ID card.
- Household registration book (photocopies of all pages with information).
- Police clearance certificate.
Proof of Language Proficiency
- English certificates: CELPIP, IELTS.
- French certificates: TEF, TCF.
Documents from the Designated Start-Up Support Organization in Canada
- Letter of Support – original copy.
Documents for Children (if applicable)
- Birth certificate of the child (showing parents’ names).
- Adoption certificate (if the child is adopted).
- Proof of full custody for children under 18 (if applicable).
- Separation Declaration for Minors Traveling to Canada (Form IMM5604) if one parent is not accompanying the child.
- Proof of financial dependency for children over 19 due to physical/mental conditions (if applicable).
Financial Documents
- Bank balance confirmation letter.
- Savings book with balance confirmation.
- Statements of fixed or non-fixed deposit accounts.
Five-Step Process for Participating in the Start-Up Visa Program
Phan Immigration has outlined the 5-step process for participating in the Start-Up Visa Canada program as follows:
Step 1: Applicants must meet the basic requirements, including:
- The applicant must be a business owner or hold 10–100% of the shares in the business.
- The applicant must have a minimum English proficiency of CLB 5 (equivalent to IELTS General 5.0).
- Be in good health, have no criminal record, and have no intention of residing in the province of Quebec.
- The applicant must obtain a Letter of Support from a government-designated start-up support organization in Canada.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family for at least the first 6 months in Canada.
Step 2: Applicants must work with a government-designated start-up support organization to evaluate their business idea.
These organizations will assist applicants in refining their business idea, developing a business plan, finding suitable team members to form a project group, and supporting fundraising efforts. This is a critical step to obtain the Letter of Support, a mandatory requirement for the PR application. These organizations include:
- Venture Capital Funds – minimum investment of CAD 200,000.
- Angel Investor Groups – minimum investment of CAD 75,000.
- Business Incubators – no capital investment required but provide guidance and business development support.
Step 3: Once the Letter of Support is received, the applicant can proceed to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada.
The average processing time for PR is approximately 40 months. Applicants must provide biometrics, a medical examination certificate, and a police clearance certificate. Additionally, applicants may apply for a Temporary Work Permit while awaiting PR approval. This permit is valid for 1 year and allows the applicant to start their business in Canada before officially settling. The applicant’s spouse and children may also apply for a Work Permit or Study Permit to join them in Canada at the same time. The application fees are as follows:
- Main applicant fee: CAD 2,385.
- Accompanying spouse or business partner fee: CAD 1,525.
- Fee for accompanying children: CAD 260 per child.
Step 4: Applicants can travel to Canada to start their life and business after receiving PR.
Upon arrival, applicants must bring a valid passport, a Canadian Permanent Resident visa, a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and proof of financial resources. At the airport, customs officers may ask questions to verify that the applicant still meets the immigration requirements. These questions are typically similar to those answered during the PR application process. If all conditions are met, the applicant will officially become a Permanent Resident of Canada and can begin their entrepreneurial journey.
Step 5: Once settled in Canada, applicants must take steps to establish their business as per the committed plan.
Applicants must manage and operate their business in Canada, ensuring it functions effectively and contributes to the economy. This is the most critical phase to demonstrate the feasibility and growth potential of the start-up project, laying the foundation for applying for Canadian citizenship in the future.
Benefits of Participating in the Start-Up Visa Program
The Start-Up Visa program offers numerous opportunities for businesses and Vietnamese citizens, including:
The Only Investment Program That Grants PR for the Entire Family from Vietnam
Start-Up Visa is the only investment program that provides the opportunity to obtain Permanent Residency (PR) for the entire family directly from Vietnam without needing to travel to Canada beforehand.
Fast Processing Time
SUV is one of the fastest immigration programs in Canada, allowing applicants and their families to settle quickly compared to other programs.
No Need to Prove Financial Background
Unlike other immigration streams, applicants do not need to prove their financial background; they only need to demonstrate the ability to support themselves in Canada for the first 6 months.
Direct PR with Canadian Citizen Benefits
Upon receiving PR, applicants and their families can enjoy social benefits, including free healthcare, legal work rights, and the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship in the future.
Free Education for Children, Saving on Study Abroad Costs
Children can attend public schools for free from elementary to high school (up to age 18). At university, tuition fees are only one-third of those for international students, saving hundreds of thousands of Canadian dollars.
Freedom to Live Anywhere in Canada (Except Quebec)
After obtaining PR, the entire family can freely choose to live, work, and study in any Canadian province except Quebec.
Investment and Business Development Opportunities
The Start-Up Visa program helps entrepreneurs expand their market in Canada, access a developed business environment, and secure investment opportunities from the government and support funds.
A Solid Pathway to Canadian Citizenship
After obtaining PR and meeting the residency requirements, the entire family can apply for Canadian citizenship to enjoy the full benefits of being a Canadian citizen.
Contact Phan Immigration for Professional and Dedicated Start-Up Visa Consultation
Phan Immigration is a reputable Canadian immigration consultancy, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). With over 15 years of experience in the immigration field, we have assisted thousands of clients in realizing their dream of settling in Canada.
Why Choose Phan Immigration?
- Offices in both Vietnam & Canada – Providing direct, prompt, and transparent support to clients throughout the application process.
- Direct collaboration with designated organizations – Ensuring applications meet requirements and increasing success rates.
- Extensive network with Canadian businesses & partners – Offering a wide range of suitable project options for each applicant.
- All-inclusive fees until PR is obtained – No hidden costs, with a commitment to transparency.
- Ready-made projects with no waiting time – Helping clients join promising start-up projects immediately.
- Comprehensive support from A to Z – Consultation, application processing, connecting with investors, and assistance with settlement and integration in Canada.
Services Provided by Phan Immigration:
- Business Immigration Programs for Entrepreneurs
- Start-Up Visa Canada (SUV) – The only program that allows the entire family to obtain PR directly from Vietnam.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Entrepreneurs.
- Business Expansion/Branch Setup (ICT).
- Investment for Entrepreneurs & Artists (C11).
- Investment under CPTPP (T50).
- Skilled Worker Programs
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for Skilled Workers.
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
- Study & Immigration Programs in Canada
- Study Abroad Consultation.
- Express Entry.
- Provincial Immigration Programs.
- Other Immigration Legal Services
- LMIA.
- Open Work Permit.
- Spousal Sponsorship.
Contact Phan Immigration today for in-depth consultation & support. Contact information:
- Canada Office: Unit 700, 333 Bering Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M8Z 3A8, Canada
- Vietnam Office: 8th Floor – 147 Hai Ba Trung, District 3, HCMC, Vietnam
- Email: wecare@phanimmigration.com
- Hotline Canada: +1 647-390-0912 | Vietnam: 078 208 4466
FAQs Related to the Start-Up Visa
What are the fees for processing the Start-Up Visa?
Government fees for the Permanent Residency Application – Canada Business Immigration Program (Start-Up Entrepreneur Stream) are as follows:
| Fee Type | Processing Fee (CAD) | Processing Fee (VND) |
| Main Applicant (including processing & PR fee) | 2,385 | 37,162,420 |
| Main Applicant (excluding PR fee) | 1,810 | 28,207,620 |
| Accompanying Spouse (with PR fee) | 1,525 | 23,730,220 |
| Accompanying Spouse (without PR fee) | 950 | 14,775,420 |
| Accompanying Dependent Child | 260/child | 4,029,660 |
Biometrics Fees:
| Fee Type | Processing Fee (CAD) | Processing Fee (VND) |
| Biometrics Fee for 1 Person | 85 | 1,522,316 |
| Biometrics Fee for Family (2+ People) | 170 | 3,044,632 |
How Long Does the Start-Up Visa Processing Take?
- Biometrics Processing Time: Depends on available appointments at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC).
- Visa Processing Time by Consulate: On average, 40 months after completing biometrics. However, processing times may vary depending on individual cases.
Phan Immigration is proud to be a leading Canadian immigration consultancy with a high success rate for clients in Vietnam, particularly in the Start-Up Visa Canada (SUV) program. With practical experience and a strong network of partners in Canada, we work directly with designated organizations to help clients secure investment from funds and effectively implement their start-up businesses. If you are seeking a safe, cost-effective immigration pathway to obtain PR for your entire family directly from Vietnam, contact Phan Immigration today for immediate consultation.
