Canada Start-Up Visa Costs and Fees: 2026 Update

Canada Start-Up Visa costs can include government application fees, settlement funds, biometrics, medical examinations, language testing, professional services and the expenses involved in developing a business in Canada.

However, anyone researching these costs needs to understand the program’s current status.

Important 2026 update: Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is paused and is no longer accepting new permanent residence applications. The final application deadline for applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates was June 30, 2026. IRCC continues to process applications accepted before the pause.

The cost information below is primarily relevant to people who already have a Start-Up Visa application in process and entrepreneurs researching the program’s financial requirements.

If you are beginning to explore entrepreneurship-based immigration, review the currently available business immigration options in Canada.

Canada Start-Up Visa Costs at a Glance

There is no single amount that represents the total cost of the Start-Up Visa. Government immigration fees, settlement funds, designated organization investment and the entrepreneur’s business expenses serve different purposes.

All amounts below are in Canadian dollars.

The $200,000 and $75,000 investment thresholds are not application fees or amounts every applicant must personally invest. They refer to investment provided by certain types of designated organizations under the IRCC designated organization support requirements.

Start-Up Visa Application Fees in 2026

IRCC’s permanent residence fee increase took effect on April 30, 2026. The current business immigration processing fee for a principal applicant is $1,895, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee is $600.

The current government fee structure is:

These amounts appear in the official IRCC business immigration fee schedule.

Because the Start-Up Visa is no longer accepting new applications, applicants who submitted before the pause may have paid different amounts depending on when their application was received and which fees they paid.

For example, using the current fee schedule, the permanent residence government fees for a principal applicant, spouse and two dependent children would total:

$2,495 + $1,590 + $270 + $270 = $4,625

Biometrics and other expenses would be additional. This calculation illustrates the current fee structure; it is not necessarily the amount already paid or still owed by an existing applicant.

Is There a Minimum Investment for the Canada Start-Up Visa?

One of the most common misunderstandings about Canada Start-Up Visa costs concerns the investment requirements.

The program did not require every applicant to personally invest $200,000 or $75,000. Applicants needed support from a designated organization, and the required support depended on the organization’s category.

Venture Capital Funds

A designated venture capital fund had to invest at least $200,000 into the qualifying business.

Angel Investor Groups

A designated angel investor group had to invest at least $75,000 into the business.

Business Incubators

A designated business incubator did not have the same minimum investment requirement. Instead, it had to accept the entrepreneur into an eligible incubation or acceleration program.

These distinctions are explained in IRCC’s guidance on investment and support from designated organizations.

The financial requirements should therefore be separated into four categories:

• Immigration fees: payments made to the Government of Canada for processing and related immigration services.
• Settlement funds: money available to support the applicant and family after arriving in Canada.
• Designated organization investment: funding invested into the business by designated venture capital funds or angel investor groups.
• The entrepreneur’s business capital: money the founder may need to develop and operate the business.

The $200,000 and $75,000 thresholds should not be described as visa fees or payments that an applicant makes to obtain permanent residence.

Canada Start-Up Visa Settlement Funds

Settlement funds are another significant financial requirement.

According to the IRCC Start-Up Visa eligibility requirements, applicants must demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependants after arriving in Canada. These funds cannot be borrowed from another person.

The required amount depends on family size. The Start-Up Visa eligibility page currently displays the following figures, marked as updated on July 29, 2025:

Settlement funds are not fees paid to IRCC. The money remains yours, but you must demonstrate that it is available to support your settlement in Canada.

The minimum requirement may also be lower than your actual living expenses. Housing, transportation, childcare and other costs vary considerably between Canadian cities and provinces.

Existing applicants should check the published settlement fund requirements and follow any instructions IRCC issues for their application.

Biometrics and Other Immigration Costs

Government permanent residence fees are only one part of the total Canada Start-Up Visa cost.

Applicants may also need to budget for biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates, language tests and document preparation.

Biometrics

IRCC lists the following biometrics fees for Start-Up Visa applicants:

• $85 for an individual applicant.
• A maximum of $170 for eligible families applying at the same time.

Applicants between 14 and 79 generally need to provide biometrics for a permanent residence application, even if they previously provided biometrics for another application.

Medical Examinations

Applicants and their family members may need immigration medical examinations. IRCC explains the process in its Start-Up Visa medical examination guidance.

Medical examination costs vary depending on the country, physician, required tests and number of family members.

Police Certificates

Police certificate costs depend on the issuing country or jurisdiction. Applicants should follow IRCC’s police certificate requirements and any requests related to their existing application.

Language Testing

The Start-Up Visa language requirement was at least Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English or French, demonstrated through an approved test.

The IRCC language requirements explain the minimum standard. Testing fees depend on the provider and location.

Translation and Document Preparation

Documents that are not in English or French require translation and supporting documentation according to the applicable IRCC document preparation instructions.

Translation, certification, notarization and document procurement expenses vary between countries and service providers.

These expenses should be budgeted separately from government application fees.

Legal and Immigration Consultant Fees

Hiring an immigration lawyer or authorized immigration consultant is optional.

Professional fees vary according to the scope of work, application complexity, number of applicants and whether the services include immigration representation, business documentation or other professional work.

These fees are separate from government charges.

IRCC explains in its guidance on using an immigration representative that applicants do not need to hire a representative. Using one does not give an application special treatment or guarantee approval.

Before hiring a professional, request a written agreement that explains:

• Which services are included.
• The professional fee and payment schedule.
• Which government and third-party expenses are additional.
• Whether business-related services are included or charged separately.
• The terms for ending the agreement.

A clear agreement helps you understand the full scope of the service and plan your budget.

Business Development Costs

The Start-Up Visa Program was designed for entrepreneurs building businesses with the potential to innovate, create jobs in Canada and compete internationally.

The cost of developing the business could therefore be considerably higher than the immigration fees.

Depending on the business, expenses may include:

• Incorporation, accounting and legal setup.
• Product or software development.
• Intellectual property work.
• Market research and business planning.
• Equipment, premises and workspace.
• Staffing.
• Marketing and customer acquisition.

There is no single government-set amount for these expenses. A software business, manufacturing company and medical technology venture can have very different capital needs.

Settlement funds and business funds should be planned separately. For example, IRCC’s Start-Up Visa work permit extension document requirements ask applicants to show money for starting their business separately from money used to support themselves and their family.

Do Business Incubators Charge Fees?

Acceptance into a designated business incubator did not carry the same $75,000 or $200,000 investment requirement associated with angel investor groups and venture capital funds.

However, that does not mean every incubator program was free.

Incubators and other private organizations may have their own service charges, program fees or commercial arrangements. These payments are separate from IRCC application fees.

Applicants should review any agreement carefully to understand the services, payment obligations and other conditions involved.

The official IRCC list of designated organizations provides information about organizations recognized under the program. An organization’s designation does not mean that its private fees are government application charges or that working with it guarantees permanent residence.

What Happens to Existing Start-Up Visa Applications?

The pause does not mean that all existing applications have been cancelled.

IRCC states in its Start-Up Visa application guidance that it continues to process applications accepted before the pause.

Applicants with a case already in process may still need to budget for:

• Medical examinations and police certificates.
• Additional documents, translations or certifications requested by IRCC.
• The Right of Permanent Residence Fee, if it remains unpaid and is applicable.
• Professional services related to the ongoing application.
• Business development and operating expenses.
• Relocation and settlement costs if the application is approved.

Existing applicants should continue monitoring IRCC communications and respond to requests within the stated deadlines.

The current fee tables on this page should be read alongside the applicant’s payment history and any case-specific instructions from IRCC.

What About the Start-Up Visa Open Work Permit?

The optional Start-Up Visa open work permit is also closed to new applicants.

According to the official Start-Up Visa open work permit information, IRCC stopped accepting new applications on December 19, 2025.

People who already hold a work permit issued under the Start-Up Visa category may be eligible to extend it while their permanent residence application is being processed.

IRCC describes this open work permit as valid for up to three years, allowing eligible holders to develop their business and work for almost any employer in Canada, subject to the permit’s conditions.

Existing permit holders should check the current Start-Up Visa work permit extension eligibility requirements.

An extension is a separate application with its own requirements and expenses. Holding a pending permanent residence application does not automatically extend a work permit.

What If You Want to Start a Business in Canada Now?

If you have not already submitted a Start-Up Visa application, you should not build your immigration budget around a new application to this program.

The federal Start-Up Visa Program is paused, and the final application deadline has passed.

Other business immigration strategies may be relevant, depending on factors such as:

• Business ownership and management experience.
• Available capital.
• Language ability.
• The intended province or territory.
• Whether you plan to establish, purchase or expand a business.
• Your broader immigration objectives.

Start with CanadaPass’s guide to business immigration to Canada to explore other pathways and their requirements.

You can also complete the CanadaPass free immigration assessment so your profile can be reviewed against currently available immigration options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Start-Up Visa Costs

Planning Your Remaining Start-Up Visa Expenses

For applicants already in the system, a useful budget separates government fees, settlement money, private service charges and business operating capital.

Check what you have already paid, which expenses remain outstanding and whether IRCC has requested additional documents or payments. Keep funds for family living expenses separate from the money needed to operate the business.

Entrepreneurs beginning their immigration planning now can review Canadian business immigration pathways or submit a free CanadaPass immigration assessment to explore options suited to their circumstances.