[ The Americas ]

Canada

Permanent residence for founders, skilled workers and families, with citizenship in three years.

Route: Residency & migration
Minimum investment: CAD 75,000–200,000 designated backing (Start-Up Visa); from CAD 100,000 in provincial streams; none for Express Entry
Time to residency: Express Entry around 6 months after invitation; Start-Up Visa often 2–3 years
Presence required: 730 days in Canada in every 5 years to keep permanent residence
Citizenship: After 3 years of physical presence within 5, with language and knowledge tests
Travel: Visa-free travel with the Canadian passport once naturalised
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Reach status: Advisory & filing

Figures indicative as of September 2026. Amounts, fees and processing times change with each government’s rules. A consultant confirms the current terms for your family before anything is signed.

Canada offers permanent residence rather than a temporary permit, and it does so for several profiles: entrepreneurs with an innovative business, provincial business investors, skilled professionals and the families of those already there. Permanent residents receive public healthcare and schooling from day one.

Unlike the Caribbean or European programmes, Canada expects you to live there. Residents must spend 730 days in the country in every five-year period, and citizenship follows three years of physical presence within five, with a passport that ranks among the strongest in the world.

Assess my case Residency & migration

Why families choose it

01
Permanent from the start
The main routes grant permanent residence directly, not a visa to be renewed.
02
Citizenship in three years
Three years of physical presence within five qualifies the family for a Canadian passport.
03
Healthcare and schooling
Public healthcare and free public education for the children as soon as residence is granted.
04
Routes for every profile
Founders, provincial investors, skilled workers, students and sponsored relatives each have a defined pathway.
05
Dual citizenship allowed
Canadian citizenship sits alongside your original nationality.

Investment routes

fromCAD 200,000

Start-Up Visa

An innovative business backed by a designated venture fund (CAD 200,000), angel group (CAD 75,000) or business incubator; permanent residence for up to five founders and their families, with CLB 5 English or French and settlement funds.

fromCAD 100,000

Provincial entrepreneur streams

A business investment of roughly CAD 100,000–600,000 depending on the province, with net-worth and experience requirements; a work permit first, then a nomination for permanent residence.

Express Entry

Points-based permanent residence for skilled workers, scored on age, education, language and experience, with invitations issued in regular draws.

Study and family routes

Study permits for children with post-graduation work permits and pathways to residence, and sponsorship of spouses, children and parents by residents and citizens.

Figures indicative as of September 2026. Amounts, fees and processing times change with each government’s rules. A consultant confirms the current terms for your family before anything is signed.

How it works

Who can be included

Spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 are included in the application; parents and grandparents can later be sponsored by a permanent resident or citizen.

A consultant scores your profile against the routes and identifies the one with the strongest case.
You take the language test (IELTS or TEF) and obtain an educational credential assessment where required.
For business routes, the business plan is prepared and the designated organisation or province secures its support.
The application is filed with IRCC together with proof of funds, police certificates and medical examinations.
For provincial streams you arrive on a work permit, launch the business and receive the nomination once the conditions are met.
Permanent residence is confirmed, and the family lands in Canada to receive their PR cards.

Questions people ask

Talk to a consultant: Assess my case

Do I need to invest my own money for the Start-Up Visa?

The programme requires the backing of a designated organisation, not a fixed personal investment. The venture fund or angel group invests, and you must show settlement funds and CLB 5 in English or French.

Can I keep my business at home?

Yes, but permanent residence requires 730 days in Canada in every five years. Many clients settle the family first and travel for business.

How long does Express Entry take?

Around six months from the invitation to apply. Building the profile, taking the language test and waiting for an invitation add time before that.

What is the difference between provincial streams and the Start-Up Visa?

Provincial streams ask for a personal investment and a work permit before nomination, while the Start-Up Visa grants permanent residence up front for an innovative business supported by a designated organisation.