Canada Start-up Visa Statistics: Permanent Resident Admissions Reach a Record High
October 9, 2024 · Start-up Visa · 8 min read
Canada Start-up Visa statistics from 2015 to 2024 show remarkable growth in the number of permanent residents (PRs) admitted through the Start-up Visa program, particularly over the past two years.
Canada Start-up Visa statistics from 2015 to 2024 show remarkable growth in the number of permanent residents (PRs) admitted through the Start-up Visa program, particularly over the past two years.
The Start-up Visa (SUV) program is designed to attract talented entrepreneurs to settle in Canada and build innovative businesses. Through the program, entrepreneurs and their families can become Canadian permanent residents directly, without first going through a temporary residence stage, and access most of the same social benefits as Canadian citizens.
Thanks to these advantages, the SUV program has become one of the most sought-after Canada immigration options for investors worldwide. Below are the figures behind the program’s remarkable growth in recent years.
A surge in Start-up Visa PR admissions
Data from 2015 to 2024 show dramatic growth in permanent resident admissions through the Start-up Visa program, from 55 in 2015 to a record 3,745 in just the first 7 months of 2024.
The SUV program was launched in April 2013, so admissions in 2015 were relatively modest. However, the figure doubled to 110 in 2016 and kept rising in the years that followed.
Growth slowed in 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but admissions held steady at around 260 per year. In 2022, the program returned to strong growth, with 575 new permanent residents — more than double the previous year. In 2023, admissions reached a new record of 1,460. Notably, in just the first 7 months of 2024, admissions surged to 3,745 — more than double the total for all of 2023.
This growth reflects not only the appeal of the SUV program but also Canada’s standing as an attractive place to settle for entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.
Permanent residents admitted through the Start-up Visa program (Source: IRCC)
Ontario and British Columbia: the main hubs for start-up founders
Ontario and British Columbia lead the country in PRs admitted through the Start-up Visa program, consistently accounting for more than 80% of all such admissions each year since the program began.
In 2015, when only 55 permanent residents were admitted nationwide through the Start-up Visa program, Ontario alone accounted for 40 of them. In just the first 7 months of 2024, Ontario recorded 1,980 admissions — more than 50% of the national SUV total. British Columbia also surged, with 1,265 admissions, up sharply from 10 in 2015.
With a favorable location, well-developed infrastructure, vibrant start-up ecosystems, business support policies, and a highly skilled workforce, Ontario and British Columbia have become attractive destinations for start-up ventures, cementing their position as leading innovation hubs in Canada and North America.
Ontario and British Columbia account for the vast majority of SUV PR admissions in the first 7 months of 2024 (Source: IRCC)
Other provinces, such as Alberta and Manitoba, have also seen positive growth. After uneven figures in earlier years, Alberta rose to 80 approvals in 2024. Manitoba only began recording SUV permanent resident approvals in 2020, but numbers climbed quickly, reaching 365 in 2024.
Start-up Visa: a path to Canadian permanent residence for the whole family
The strong growth in permanent residents (PRs) admitted through the Start-up Visa program shows that it is becoming a preferred option for entrepreneurs and investors seeking to settle in Canada.
The Start-up Visa program not only offers entrepreneurs a direct path to Canadian permanent residence but also extends settlement benefits to the whole family. Family members gain access to Canada’s social programs, including high-quality education for children, publicly funded healthcare, and other public benefits.
IMM Group currently offers a Canada Start-up Visa support package from approximately US$166,000. Our experienced team in Canada helps investors refine and execute their business idea, work with the designated organization, and grow the start-up in Canada, helping them meet all program requirements, improving the chances of success, and opening a smoother path to Canadian permanent residence.
| See full details of Canada’s Start-up Visa program
If you are interested in Canada’s Start-up Visa program, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your application’s prospects. We are committed to keeping your personal data confidential and will use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
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