Letter of Support

Prior to applying for the Start-up Visa Program, applicants must receive the support of a designated organization. A designated organization are business groups that have been approved by the Government of Canada to invest in or support possible start-ups.

If a designated organization would like to support your business, it will give provide you with a Letter of Support which will accompany the application,

Ownership Requirements

A maximum of five people can apply forthe Start-up Visa Program as owners of a single business. However, specific ownership requirements must be met prior to submitting the application:

• each applicant must hold at least 10 percent of the voting rights in the business; and,
• the designated organization and the applicants must jointly hold more than 50 per cent of the voting rights in the business.

Language Requirements

Prior to submitting an application for the Start-up Visa Program, applicants must take a language test from an approved agency and include the results in the application. 

Applicants must meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French in all of these four areas:

• speaking
• reading
• listening
• writing

Accepted Language Tests

The following agencies have been approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to administer English and French language tests:

English

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

CELPIP has two tests: “CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G)” and “CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A).” You must take the “CELPIP-G” test.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

IELTS has two options for the reading and writing tests: “General Training” and “Academic.” You must take the “General Training” option.

French

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

You must submit results from the following TEF tests as proof of your French language proficiency:

• compréhension écrite
• compréhension orale
• expression écrite
• expression orale

Settlement Money