Entrepreneur visa routes in Canada
Thinking about Canada as a place to work? Below is the 1 Canada visa route that most commonly fits entrepreneurs, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: startup founder, business owner, company director.
What this means for entrepreneurs
Of the 1 Canada route that commonly fits entrepreneurs, 0 need a sponsoring employer and 1 does not, and 1 can lead to permanent residence. Entrepreneurs are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Canada overall is the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW); it is not specific to entrepreneurs but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Typical figures — Start-Up Visa (Canada)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
CA$15,263/yr
Start-up Visa — settlement funds (not salary)
Verified 3 January 2025 · IRCC — Start-up Visa eligibility →
How long it takes
3.3 years – 4.3 years
The Start-Up Visa closed to new applications on 31 December 2025 (PR applications already in the queue are accepted until 30 June 2026). IRCC’s posted processing window for queued applications has stretched to around 40–52 months; short-term work permits can be issued in the meantime.
Verified 1 June 2026 · IRCC — Start-up Visa →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival as PR → citizenship eligibility at 3 years. Temp-to-PR transition (Express Entry or PNP from inside Canada) typically adds another 1-3 years.
Leads to Permanent Residence (PR), then Canadian citizenship.
Routes that fit entrepreneurs
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start-Up Visa (Canada) | CA$15,263/yr | 3.3 years – 4.3 years | Yes |
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 30 April 2026In force 30 April 2026
Canada: PR fees rise (30 Apr 2026), category-based Express Entry, Start-up Visa closed, arranged-employment points removed
A run of IRCC changes through 2025-26 reshaped Express Entry economics and closed the Start-up Visa to new applicants.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada →
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit entrepreneurs moving to Canada?+
Canada has 1 route that commonly fits entrepreneurs: Start-Up Visa (Canada). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do entrepreneurs need a job offer to move to Canada?+
Not always. 1 of the 1 matched Canada route can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Start-Up Visa (Canada)), while 0 need a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can entrepreneurs settle permanently in Canada?+
Yes. 1 of the 1 matched route leads toward settlement or permanent residence. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
What salary do entrepreneurs need for the Start-Up Visa (Canada) in Canada?+
The Start-up Visa — settlement funds (not salary) floor is CA$15,263/yr, effective 3 January 2025 (IRCC — Start-up Visa eligibility). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the Start-Up Visa (Canada) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 3.3 years – 4.3 years (IRCC — Start-up Visa, verified 1 June 2026).