A business proposal needs its own commercial rationale, funding and operating plan. Immigration eligibility is a separate question. Canada’s federal Start-Up Visa Program is currently paused, and the Self-Employed Persons Program remains paused under the published measures. Provincial or other business-related routes may have different requirements and intake restrictions. Check the exact current route before paying an intermediary, transferring investment funds or relying on a promise of permanent residence.
What to plan
- Check the current status of the proposed immigration route.
- Distinguish a business investment from an immigration entitlement.
- Review ownership, management experience and source-of-funds evidence.
- Identify legal, tax and commercial due diligence needs.
The process, step by step.
This is the typical sequence to discuss when agreeing your service. The exact requirements depend on your circumstances and current instructions.
Check the current immigration route
Confirm whether the proposed federal or provincial program accepts new applications and distinguish existing-file options from a closed intake.
Review the business on its merits
Assess the actual operating plan, ownership, management experience and lawful source of funds separately from the desired immigration outcome.
Arrange independent professional review
Obtain appropriate immigration, commercial and tax advice before agreeing investment terms or relying on a proposed letter of support.
Proceed only under an available process
If a suitable route is confirmed, follow its current sequence and conditions without assuming incorporation or investment grants work or residence rights.
What to prepare
These are starting points for a discussion. The official checklist and your circumstances determine the documents required for an application.
- Business history and ownership records
- Source-of-funds and financial evidence
- Proposed business plan and investment terms
- Existing immigration commitments or applications, if any
Your questions, answered.
IRCC’s current program page states that the program is paused. Existing files and any related permit options need their own review.
No. Ownership and immigration authorization are separate. Any available route has specific requirements, and a commercial investment can still lose money.
Check the official guidance
Research checked 13 October 2026. Program rules, intake, fees, and processing times can change. Use the current official instructions before making a decision.