Canada has good chances for people who want to start businesses or have special skills. The government has a program called the Start-Up Visa, which began in 2013. It's a good choice if you want to help Canada grow and make a good impact. In this blog, we'll talk about this program and how it can help people from all around the world become permanent residents in Canada.

Please note: Immigration regulations are subject to change, and we cannot guarantee that this information is up-to-date. For up-to-date information, please visit the Government of Canada's website or speak with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.


1. Advantages of the Start-Up Visa Program


a. Pathway to Permanent Residency: Once approved, successful applicants and their immediate family members become eligible for Permanent Residency in Canada.


b. Access to Canada's Business Ecosystem: Start-Up Visa holders can tap into Canada's active business world. This means they can get help from experienced people, make business connections, and find resources to help their businesses grow.


c. Canadian Citizenship Eligibility: After you've been a permanent resident in Canada for some time and follow the rules, you can ask to become a Canadian citizen. This opens up more opportunities and benefits for you.


2. Understanding the Start-Up Visa Program


The Start-Up Visa program wants to bring creative entrepreneurs to Canada who can start and grow their businesses here. Unlike some other visas you need to invest a lot of money, this program checks if your business idea is good. To be eligible, you must get a letter of support from a specific Canadian group, such as an angel investor group, a venture capital fund, or a business incubator. This endorsement serves as a critical factor in the application process.


3. Qualifying Factors


To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa program, applicants must meet certain criteria:



4. The Application Process


Online Application and Biometrics: Since October 14, 2022, applying online has become mandatory for the Start-Up Visa program. Most applicants now need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) after submitting their application, a crucial step for identity verification.


Eligibility and Forms: Applicants must meet specific criteria, including having a qualifying business idea and securing support from a designated Canadian organization. The application involves filling out digital and PDF forms.


Use of a Representative: Applicants can seek assistance from an immigration representative, but they must register online their name as a legal rule.


Photo Specifications: Each applicant requires a photo, and the online application provides scanning instructions.


Paying Application Fees: To process the application, you'll need to pay different fees, including biometrics fees.


Temporary Changes to Biometrics: Book biometric appointments early to avoid delays, and temporary measures may assist some applicants.


Submitting the Application: Ensure the application is complete and accurate to avoid rejection.


For more information on the application process, click here.


At Collision 2023, Minister Fraser announced enhancements to Canada's Tech Talent Strategy. These improvements include:


  • More slots available in 2023.
  • Longer work permits for tech talent.
  • Open permits not tied to specific start-up companies.
  • A focus on applicants who have investor support for the improved Start-Up Visa Program.


These changes underscore Canada's commitment to tech innovation and global talent attraction, setting its position as a top tech destination.

Canada's Start-Up Visa program offers entrepreneurs and professionals a fantastic chance to settle in a welcoming and economically vibrant country. It features a straightforward application process, emphasizes innovation, and provides a pathway to Permanent Residency. This program is an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about business and looking to succeed in Canada's diverse and inclusive society.


Embrace a brighter future in Canada! Find out how the Start-Up Visa program at immigrate.biz can lead to PR and open doors to success. Apply now and make your mark in Canada!

Refuse to Process: How Immigration Rules Are Impacting Employers

By Dirk Propp • October 2, 2025
Refuse to process regions in Canada are affecting nearly all metropolitan areas in Canada, and more regional changes were announced on October 10th. The regions that are still available to keep your trained and employed foreign workers or obtain new if local people are not available are: BC - Victoria Saskatchewan - Saskatoon Ontario - Thunder Bay New: Peterborough Quebec - Drummondville, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Saguenay PEI - Entire province The following regions, before October 10th, qualified and no longer qualify to keep their foreign workers in low-wage positions: BC - Kelowna Alberta - Red Deer, Lethbridge Saskatchewan - Regina Manitoba - Winnipeg Ontario - Sudbury, Guelph All other metropolitan cities in Canada do not qualify to keep their foreign workers in low-wage positions. The other occupations businesses qualify to keep their workers are: Rural communities outside of the metropolitan areas. Health care workers Care home workers Construction workers Food Manufacturing Seasonal businesses requiring workers for 120 or 270 days or less Simplify Hiring, Stay Compliant Canada’s hiring landscape is shifting quickly, with refuse-to-process regions expanding, new unemployment data set to be released in October, and employers under pressure to act fast. Fill a Role was built to give you an advantage. If you’re an employer, this means fewer wasted hours and faster hires. If you’re a job seeker, it means your application rises to the top where employers can see it. Don’t wait until the next round of immigration changes catches you off guard. Start posting with Fill a Role today.

FillaRole Unveils Healthcare-Focused Hiring Platform to Address Canada’s Staffing Challenges

By Keli Propp • August 28, 2025
Canada’s Staffing Challenges Saskatchewan-built platform aims to reduce agency nurse reliance and fill critical roles with permanent hires. Saskatchewan, Canada – August 20, 2025 – FillaRole has officially launched FillaRole Health, a Saskatchewan-built, AI hiring and onboarding platform, designed for Canada’s healthcare sector. It gives busy HR teams one centralized tool to post jobs, track applicants, manage interviews and onboard hires, without the spreadsheet chaos. The platform arrives at a crucial moment: Saskatchewan alone spent over $70 million on contract nurses in 2024, nearly triple the cost just two years ago. In Nova Scotia, the 2024 bill hit $141.7 million despite policy changes, while BC and Quebec are each spending over $1.5 billion annually on agency staffing. The physician shortage is just as troubling. Manitoba recently contracted a consultant $5.25 million to recruit 150 physicians and only two were hired. Across Canada, billions are being diverted to temporary and stop-gap staffing initiatives. “We’re watching the healthcare system drown in contract costs,” said Keli Propp, CEO of FillaRole. “FillaRole Health offers a long-term solution: permanent hires, both local and international, without the 40% premium in wage costs that health authorities are paying right now. You can curb it now or let the bill keep climbing.” To strengthen their presence in the Canadian healthcare space, FillaRole has joined the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network, which is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Canadian technology in healthcare. Through this collaboration, FillaRole gains access to new tools, strategic insights, and opportunities that drive meaningful change with this solution for patients, providers, and communities across Canada. All-in-One Platform Purpose-Built for Healthcare FillaRole Health combines essential hiring systems into one streamlined pl atform: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : AI-powered job descriptions, resume scraping and one-click interview invites. Immigration & Compliance Software : Built-in LMIA-exempt tracking, international recruitment support and permit workflows. T alent Pool Building : Advertise positions worldwide, funnelling applicants into one centralized pool. Track their engagement to spot the most promising candidates. Additional features include automated posting to 19+ job boards, intelligent applicant ranking, customizable document templates, real human support and performance reports within 48 hours. All of which are securely hosted on Canadian servers. Designed for the Frontlines of Care FillaRole Health is especially suited for: Long-term care homes Private clinics and pharmacies Mental health and allied health practices Regional health authorities Medical recruiters supporting multiple locations The platform prioritizes local hires first, automatically filtering candidates by licensing and credentials, while tracking documentation and renewal dates. All but eliminating those dreaded back-and-forth email chains. The Time to Fix Healthcare Hiring Is Now FillaRole’s core platform already supports 100,000+ users and nearly 40,000 applicants across Canada and was selected earlier this year for VentureLAB’s Accelerated Growth Program. With the launch of FillaRole Health by a Canadian team with decades of experience in HR technology and immigration workflows, the company brings its proven hiring engine directly to Canada’s most urgent frontline staffing crisis. “You shouldn’t need six tools and an immigration lawyer to fill one role,” added Propp. “FillaRole Health makes hiring healthcare workers fast and finally affordable again.” To learn more about FillaRole Health or the CAN Health Membership Program, visit: www.fillarole.ca/healthcare About FillaRole FillaRole is an AI-powered hiring platform developed to simplify employment for Canadian businesses. By automating job postings and applicant sorting, FillaRole enables employers to save time, improve efficiency, and focus on hiring the right talent. Proudly Canadian, FillaRole supports local and international hiring with expert guidance every step of the way. Media Contact: Keli Propp CEO, FillaRole Email: kpropp@fillarole.ca Phone: 306-805-0113