🚨 Disclaimer – Start-Up Visa Program Status (Canada)
Please note that the Government of Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program is currently closed to new applications. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stopped accepting new SUV permanent residence applications at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025, with limited transitional exceptions only for applicants who obtained a valid commitment from a designated organization in 2025 and who must file by June 30, 2026. In addition, new applications for the optional SUV-linked work permit are no longer being accepted as of December 19, 2025.
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is currently paused and is not accepting new permanent residence applications. IRCC states that the program was paused on June 30, 2026, while applications accepted before that date continue to be processed. The investment information below explains the requirements associated with those existing applications and the program’s historical framework.
The Canada Start-Up Visa minimum investment depended on the type of designated organization supporting the business:
- CAD $200,000 from a designated Canadian venture capital fund.
- CAD $75,000 from a designated Canadian angel investor group.
- Acceptance into a designated business incubator program, without a requirement to secure financial investment from that incubator.
Understanding who provides the investment is essential. These thresholds concern designated-organization funding. A founder’s business budget, family support funds and application expenses need to be assessed separately.
For the broader program update, see our Canada Start-Up Visa guide.
What Was the Canada Start-Up Visa Minimum Investment?
Under the program’s framework, entrepreneurs needed support from a designated organization. The required investment or support varied by organization type.
| Designated organization | Historical requirement | Source of investment or support |
|---|---|---|
| Venture capital fund | Minimum CAD $200,000 investment | Designated venture capital funding |
| Angel investor group | Minimum CAD $75,000 investment | Designated angel investor funding |
| Business incubator | Acceptance into its incubation or acceleration program | Support through the designated program |
These requirements do not indicate that new applications are currently available.
The IRCC minimum investment explanation confirms the funding thresholds and the incubator distinction. Our guide to Canada Start-Up Visa designated organizations explains the roles of these organizations.
Did Every Founder Have to Personally Invest $200,000 or $75,000?
The designated-investor thresholds were not universal personal contributions required from every founder. They described investment into the business from the designated venture capital fund or angel investor group.
A founder reviewing an existing file should therefore distinguish between:
- Money committed by the designated organization.
- Money contributed by founders.
- Other financing available to the company.
- Funds reserved for personal and family living expenses.
For example, a business with designated venture capital funding should identify that investment in its financial records. Any additional founder contribution should be recorded separately, with its purpose and availability explained.
This makes it easier to understand the company’s funding position and avoid counting the same money twice in a budget.
Did the Business Incubator Route Mean No Costs?
Acceptance into a designated incubator program fulfilled the support requirement without a specified financial investment from the incubator.
However, a founder still needed a practical budget for developing the company and supporting their household.
Depending on the business, expenses could include:
- Product development and testing.
- Equipment and software.
- Salaries and contractor payments.
- Accounting and legal services.
- Insurance, premises and administration.
- Marketing and customer acquisition.
Any organization or service-provider charges should also be reviewed through the actual agreement. Ask what services are included, when payments become due and whether any refund conditions apply.
A program’s investment threshold is only one part of the overall financial picture.
Investment, Business Capital, Settlement Funds and Fees
These terms describe different financial needs.
| Financial category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Designated-organization investment | Funding associated with the venture capital or angel investor support route |
| Business capital | Resources needed to establish and operate the company |
| Settlement funds | Money available to support the applicant and dependants |
| Government fees | Charges associated with immigration applications |
| Professional or program fees | Contracted services such as legal advice, accounting or business support |
When reviewing a budget, identify the source, purpose and availability of each amount.
For example, money already committed to equipment purchases may have a different role from savings reserved for household expenses. A financial plan should make those commitments visible.
Our Canada Start-Up Visa costs and fees guide covers the broader budget, including expenses beyond the designated investment thresholds.
Settlement Funds for Start-Up Visa Applicants
IRCC required applicants to demonstrate sufficient money to support themselves and their dependants after arriving in Canada. These funds could not be borrowed from another person. The required amount depended on family size.
The table currently displayed in the official IRCC Start-Up Visa eligibility guidance is labelled “Updated July 29, 2025.”
| Number of family members | Required funds in Canadian dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| Each additional family member above 7 | Add $4,112 |
These are the figures currently displayed by IRCC, with the publication date shown above. Existing applicants should follow any updated instructions or document requests that apply to their files.
For background on the other program conditions, see our Start-Up Visa eligibility guide.
How Much Business Capital Was Needed?
The cited investment guidance does not establish a universal founder-funded business budget. It specifies the support required from designated organizations.
A useful business budget should instead be built around the company’s actual activities. Consider:
- Development: What must be completed before the product or service can generate revenue?
- Operations: What are the monthly expenses?
- Staffing: Which roles are needed, and when?
- Revenue: What assumptions support the sales forecast?
- Contingency: How will the company respond if development takes longer or sales grow more slowly?
For an existing business, compare the original forecast with current results. Explain material changes and show how the next stage will be funded.
This produces a clearer financial picture than relying on a generic claim that every start-up needs the same amount.
What Does the Pause Mean for Existing Applicants?
IRCC continues processing applications accepted before the June 30, 2026 pause. It had already stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025. Applicants with valid 2025 commitments had to apply by June 30, 2026.
If your application is already in processing, organize the records associated with your own file, including:
- The Letter of Support and relevant agreements.
- Evidence of committed or received investment.
- Business financial statements and banking records.
- Records of founder contributions.
- Personal support-fund documents.
- Updates to the business plan.
Respond to IRCC requests using the instructions provided for your application. Our Start-Up Visa application process guide provides background for understanding the existing-file process.
What About Start-Up Visa Work Permit Funding?
A work permit involves a separate assessment.
According to the dedicated IRCC Start-Up Visa work permit guidance, new applications for the optional open work permit closed on December 19, 2025. Eligible existing SUV work permit holders may still be able to extend their permits while their PR applications are processed.
Applicants should use the requirements for the application they are making rather than treating the historical investment threshold as a complete funding checklist.
Our Start-Up Visa open work permit guide explains current extension eligibility and the distinction between personal support funds and business funds.
Alternatives for Entrepreneurs Planning a New Application
If you are beginning your immigration planning, start by identifying programs that are currently available for your circumstances.
Your assessment should consider:
- Business ownership or management experience.
- Language ability.
- Available investment capital.
- Preferred province.
- The type of business you intend to establish or acquire.
- Your intended role in its daily operations.
- Your temporary residence and permanent residence goals.
Our Business Immigration to Canada guide provides a starting point, while the provincial entrepreneur programs overview introduces provincial options that need a current eligibility and intake review.
You can complete the CanadaPass free assessment form to share your profile or book a consultation to discuss an existing application or alternative strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the minimum investment for the Canada Start-Up Visa?
The designated funding thresholds were CAD $200,000 for venture capital support and CAD $75,000 for angel investor support. The incubator route required acceptance into a designated program.
Was the incubator route free?
Incubator acceptance did not require securing financial investment from the incubator. Business expenses, household support and any contracted service charges still needed separate consideration.
Were settlement funds part of the business investment?
Settlement funds supported the applicant and dependants. A financial plan should identify them separately from company funding.
Where should I start if I already have an application?
Review the commitments, financial records and correspondence associated with your file. If you need help interpreting your circumstances, book a CanadaPass consultation.
This article provides general information. Requirements and document requests for an existing application should be assessed in the context of that individual file.
