Residency by Investment
in Canada
Important Update:
This programme was closed on the 1st of January, 2026. However, we offer alternative residency and citizenship options that may suit your needs.Explore Alternative Residency and Citizenship Programmes
Portugal
|Visa Free Travel
Minimum Investment:
€500,000
Flexible investment options and access to the Schengen Zone.
Greece
|Route to Greek citizenship
Minimum Investment:
€250,000
One of Europe’s most affordable residency-by-investment programmes.
Malta
|European residence permit
Minimum Investment:
€170,000
A stable EU member with a high standard of living and English-speaking environment.
Why is Canada a popular investment location?
Canada is a member of the G7 and, over the last 10 years, has had one of the strongest economies in the world.
The North American country offers a modern, family-friendly way of life. It is home to numerous top-notch cities providing a wide variety of corporate settings, active social scenes, and a plethora of cultural activities.
Canada's natural beauty is unparalleled, with stunning maritime coasts, vast forests, rugged mountains, expansive grasslands, and pristine seashores. With the second-largest oil reserves and the fourth-largest freshwater supply globally, Canada is a treasure trove of natural resources that inspires awe and appreciation.
About the Canada Residency by Investment programme
The Government of Canada launched the Start-up Visa (SUV) program in 2013. It was initially launched as a pilot program but was made permanent in 2018.
The program aimed to attract talented entrepreneurs to Canada with innovative, technology-related ideas that could be successfully launched in Canada.
The authorised Designated Organization (DO) had to accept the business idea to ensure that start-ups meet the government's criteria and depending on the category, they had to make a minimum investment ranging from CAD 75,000 to over CAD 200,000.
The SUV program was sector-agnostic as long as the start-up was innovative, unique, could create jobs for Canadians and could compete on a global scale, thereby qualifying and meeting the government's guidelines.
What are the Benefits of Residency by Investment in Canada?
Path to Canadian citizenship after five years
Access to the entire North American market
Active participation in your own business
Access to free universal healthcare
Exceptional standards of living
Permits dual citizenship
Path to Canadian citizenship after five years
Access to the entire North American market
Active participation in your own business
Access to free universal healthcare
Exceptional standards of living
Permits dual citizenship
How to obtain Residency by Investment in Canada
Qualify business
To obtain the residency, you could secure 10% or more of the shareholding of the corporation outstanding.
Letter of support from a Designated Organization (DO)
Another option to obtain Canadian residency by investment was receiving a Letter of support (LOS) from one of the various Designated Organizations (DOs) the government has trusted to administer and mandate the SUV program, such as incubators, angel groups and venture capital groups.
Language requirements
The applicant had to meet the minimum level of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French, as determined by the approved agencies.
Accredited investor
The applicant had to demonstrate having sufficient funds to meet the annual Settlement Funds amounts set by IRCC and to invest in the Start-Up as per the business proposal.
Track your application from start to finish in our App
Key Benefit of Residency by Investment in Canada
The Canada Start-up Visa provided permanent residency (PR) from day one, allowing the founders of the Start-Up to develop further their business idea. However, to uphold the PR status, you had to reside in Canada for 730 days (two years) within a five-year period.
Investors and their family members could apply for citizenship if they lived in Canada for three out of the five years (1,095 days) preceding the citizenship application.
Canadian residents are taxed on their worldwide income at the federal and provincial levels. Non-residents are taxed on Canadian-sourced income and gains from the disposition of taxable Canadian property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canada Application Process
Pass the initial due diligence. Sign the client agreement and make the initial payment
Pass the initial due diligence. Sign the client agreement and make the initial payment
Business Concept Design. Consultation with a Designated Organisation (DO) and pairing with the founder and 2-3 other applicants
Business Concept Design. Consultation with a Designated Organisation (DO) and pairing with the founder and 2-3 other applicants
Training to obtain a certificate from a Designated Organisation (DO)
Training to obtain a certificate from a Designated Organisation (DO)
Obtain a letter of support from a Designated Organisation (DO)
Obtain a letter of support from a Designated Organisation (DO)
File preparation and documentation collection. File submission to IRCC
File preparation and documentation collection. File submission to IRCC
Medical and security verification. Permanent resident visa issuance
Medical and security verification. Permanent resident visa issuance
Land in Canada and obtain your PR card by mail
Land in Canada and obtain your PR card by mail
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | - | - | - |
| Minimum Investment Amount | - | - | - |
| Minimum Stay Requirement | - | - | - |
| Initial Permit Duration | - | - | - |
| Time to Residence | - | - | - |
| Time to Citizenship | - | - | - |
| Family Inclusion? | - | - | - |
| Right to Work? | - | - | - |
| Type of Document Received | - | - | - |
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | - | - | - |