start-up visa program

By Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP | 2 Minutes Read November 13, 2013

Start-Up Visa Program to include business incubator stream

On March 30, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) published Ministerial Instructions that established the Start-Up Visa Program (“SUVP”). When initially established, the SUVP included a Venture Capital stream and an Angel Investor stream. However, on October 26, 2013, CIC published new Ministerial Instructions, which expanded the SUVP to include business incubators. It also began accepting applications under this new stream on October 26, 2013.

By Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP | 8 Minutes Read April 17, 2013

CIC publishes ministerial instructions establishing the start-up business class

On March 30, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ("CIC") published Ministerial Instructions in the Canada Gazette, which formally establish the new Start-Up Business Class. CIC also published Chapter 27 of the Overseas Processing Manual, which provides further details regarding the processing of such applications.

By Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP | 3 Minutes Read February 14, 2013

Citizenship and Immigration Canada announces start-up visa program

On January 24, 2013, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Citizen Jason Kenney announced that Citizenship and Immigration Canada would launch a Start-Up Visa Program to recruit innovative immigrant entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and spur economic growth. This program differs from existing investor and entrepreneur options to the extent that the entrepreneur will not need to be the source of investment capital. Such a program will enable entrepreneurs who establish start-up businesses using capital contributed by third parties, such as venture capital firms or angel investors, to seek permanent residence in Canada. The Start-Up Visa Program begins on April 1, 2013.