DISCLAIMER
No group or individual participating in this program may invest in or support the program for the sole purpose of immigration. The goal of the program is to attract outstanding foreign start-ups with innovative technology to relocate to Canada, therefore generating increased Canadian employment and tax revenue.
What is Canada's
Start-Up Visa?
The Start-Up Visa (referred to in Chinese as “创业签证”) was officially launched on August 1, 2013, by the Canadian immigration department, IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada). The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) of Canada was involved in this initiative. The main purpose of this policy is to attract innovative technologies and start-ups to Canada to carry out their entrepreneurial projects through immigration incentives.
The crux of this immigration policy is that your business plan needs to be endorsed by a government-designated entity. This entity will provide a thorough due diligence report, and once approved, they will issue a Letter of Support, which is essential for moving forward with the immigration application process.
There are three categories of these government-designated entities:
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Designated Venture Capital Fund: the company needs an investment of at least $200,000 from the fund.
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Designated Angel Investment Fund: the project needs a minimum investment of $75,000 from the fund.
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Designated Business Incubator: the company must be accepted into and complete an incubation program delivered by the Designated Incubator.
Sample of the Letter of Support
Sample of the Letter of Support
Bizfield is here
Why Us？
The Bizfield Angel Network, as a professional angel investment institution in Canada, is headquartered in the Vancouver region of Canada. In 2017, Bizfield was selected as a member of the NACO (National Angel Capital Organization) and VANTEC angel investment institutions, becoming an active investor platform in the angel investment and entrepreneurial ecosystem of British Columbia.
Utilizing its localized advantages, Bizfield offers bilingual (Chinese and English) angel investment courses for high-net-worth individuals of Chinese descent in both Canada and China. They provide an angel investor communication platform, and startup project roadshows, among other activities. This helps angel investors access excellent startup projects. By promoting academic and project exchanges between angel investor members, they facilitate investment collaboration among members. Ultimately, this brings more investment returns for the angel investor members, minimizes investment losses, and provides entrepreneurial financing for outstanding entrepreneurs.
With its rich knowledge and experience in angel investing, Bizfield can, on the one hand, help the Canadian government filter potential overseas startups. On the other hand, they can assist outstanding overseas entrepreneurial projects in connecting with qualified Canadian angel investors for a qualified investment of CAD 75,000. They help them obtain a support letter issued by the government-designated agency, complete their incubation in Canada, and ultimately complete the SUV application process.
Benefits of Applying With Bizfield Angel Network？
Bizfield Angel Network leverages its team of consultants, investment advisers, and active angel investor members to assist foreign founders of start-ups applying for the Canadian Startup Visa. In combination with partners, we can provide the following services:
Angel Investor Roadshow Presentation
Business Plan
Refinement
Investor Roadshow
PPT Creation
Startup Project &
Partner Connection
Connect with Bizfield Angel Investors and Others for Due Diligence
Due
Diligence
Service
Government Agency Support Letter
Assistance
Post-investment Management and Consultation Service
Who We Are Looking For？
Bizfield is focused on finding and partnering with outstanding start-ups in five sectors:
Companies need to meet the following criteria:
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The company is interested in completing its startup incubation in Canada and has strong reasons for choosing Canada as its incubation location.
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It possesses a certain profit-making capability, with a minimum business revenue of no less than 100,000 Canadian dollars in the past two years. Exceptionally outstanding technology can be exempted from the business revenue requirement and profit requirement.
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The product or service itself has global appeal and competitiveness.
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The products and services provided by the company have a certain long-term advantage and competitive barriers within the industry.
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It possesses innovative technology or concepts that have been put into practical use and can provide relevant intellectual property proof.
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The company has growth plans in terms of market and finance.
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The company has sufficient operational funds for more than a year, which can come from savings or investments.
To apply for this project, you need to first fill out the application form. After completing it, attach a simple PPT version of the BP (10-15 pages) and send the resume(s) of the applicant or team to info@bizfieldangel.com. After the application is submitted, Bizfield will evaluate the relevant content. If the evaluation is passed, within the next 20 working days, Bizfield will send an invitation to the selected project founders to enter the next preliminary review (pre-screen) stage.
If you have more questions about entrepreneur visas, please add WeChat or consult customer service via Whatsapp.
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What is a Designated Organization?A Designated Organization refers to business entities that have been vetted and evaluated by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) and subsequently approved by the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invest in or support potential start-ups through the Start-Up Visa Program. These entities fall under three categories: venture capital firms, angel investors, and business incubators. These organizations screen qualified project business plans and produce due diligence reports compliant with Canadian investment industry standards. Venture capital and angel investor entities will invest CAD 200,000 or CAD 75,000, respectively, in qualifying businesses. Each entity has its own proposal acceptance procedures and evaluation criteria. If an organization chooses to support your business idea, they will provide you with a letter of support. This letter serves as the official support proof required by the Canadian government to advance your immigration process.
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What types of businesses meet the Start-Up Visa criteria?To qualify for the Start-Up Visa, businesses must be innovative, have potential for international competitiveness, and be able to create job opportunities for Canadians. Examples of non-qualifying businesses include gas stations, clothing stores, and sales offices of foreign companies in Canada. Start-ups that meet the criteria include innovative medical devices, software, clean energy companies, and others that will create numerous job opportunities.
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What is a Letter of Support?A Letter of Support is a document provided to applicants by designated venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or incubators, signifying their full backing of your business concept. This letter is a crucial document required by the IRCC when processing your immigration application.
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What are Bizfield's application criteria?When reviewing applications, our criteria are based on ensuring your project meets the requirements set by IRCC, in addition to aligning with our own standards. We focus on four main areas in our evaluation criteria (listed by priority): Reason for Expansion in Canada: Can you provide evidence demonstrating that your decision to expand your business in Canada is directly related and beneficial to your venture? Innovation and Economic Growth for Canada: Is your expertise relevant to Canada's innovative development, and can you contribute to exciting new businesses? Business Validation and Potential for Growth in Canada: Does your business have records or evidence that it has already been market-validated, such as sales revenue? Can it sustainably grow and create jobs in Canada? We don't accept applications at the idea stage; there should at least be a patent or product trial sales. Involvement in Emerging Technologies: While Bizfield does not have industry restrictions for SUV entrepreneurial projects, we require that they comply with Canadian national law and must not involve prohibited industries. They should also have innovative products, innovative models, or technical innovations. The innovation of the Bizfield investment member project is at their discretion.
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How can one qualify for the Start-Up Visa Program?To qualify for the Start-Up Visa Program, you need to meet four eligibility requirements in addition to the requirements for entry into Canada: Owning a qualifying business: You should have a business project that is innovative, competitive on an international scale, and capable of creating job opportunities in Canada. For application standards, refer to the immigration official website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa/about.html Having a letter of support from a designated organization: You need to obtain a letter of support from a designated organization. Our Bizfield Angel Network works with VANTEC Angel Network, a Designated Organization, which issues the Commitment Certificate and Support Letters for qualifying businesses. Meeting the language requirement: You must satisfy the CLB-5 language criteria. The IRCC accepts IELTS General Training scores of 5 and above and CELPIP scores of 5 and above. Sufficient funds for living: You need to ensure that you have sufficient financial resources to support you and your family in Canada before your business becomes profitable. Our Bizfield Angel Network can assist you in meeting the first two requirements. Please be aware that the application process may take some time, so it's recommended to begin your application process as early as possible.
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What is the Start-Up Visa Program?The Start-Up Visa (SUV) is an initiative officially launched on August 1, 2013, by the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) of Canada is also involved in this program. Its primary objective is to attract innovative technologies and start-ups to come to Canada and implement their entrepreneurial projects as part of an immigration incentive policy. Foreign companies that meet the IRCC's requirements can have up to five founding team members qualify for Canadian immigration.
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How can I apply for the Bizfield Start-Up Visa (SUV)?Please complete our SUV application form and send it to info@bizfieldangel.com, along with your innovative business plan and the resumes of all team members. We will evaluate your project, and if we believe it meets the Start-Up Visa criteria, we will send you an invitation letter and discuss the next steps with you.
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What are the steps involved in applying for the Bizfield Start-Up Visa (SUV) program?The review process for Bizfield's SUV project includes 7 stages:
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How long will it take from the time I submit the Bizfield SUV application form until I receive an invitation letter?Once your application is submitted, we aim to complete the review process within approximately 4 weeks.
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How long does the SUV project usually take?From the receipt of the formally submitted application, the subsequent review, the official due diligence report, up to receiving the letter of support, it takes approximately 3-4 months, depending on the client's cooperation. The government's SUV application and related immigration procedures can take between 1-3 years, depending on the times stated on the official website.
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Are there any additional fees?Apart from the application service fee, the Bizfield Angel Network does not charge any additional fees. However, external costs such as investor roadshow training, business incubation, translation fees, living expenses upon arrival in Canada, and startup expenses (like company registration, facility rental, office expenditures, wages, website construction, marketing costs, etc.) are to be borne by the entrepreneur.
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Can you provide me with a business plan?We apologize that we do not offer ready-made business plans. Our aim is to assist you in formulating and refining your business plan based on your business idea. However, our professional investment and business consulting team can offer strategic improvement consultations based on your provided business plan, helping your project achieve global competitiveness.
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Does Bizfield Angel Network invest in businesses?Bizfield Angel Network does not directly offer financial support or investments. However, our angel investor members will provide a minimum investment of CAD 75,000 for chosen SUV applicants. We facilitate opportunities for potential investors and entrepreneurs to interact through the "Bizfield Chinese SUV Roadshow" and our Angel Investor Network, increasing the likelihood of securing qualified investments.
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Does Bizfield Angel Network hold equity in the business?您的SUV项目的股权由提供7.5 万加币的Bizfield Angel Network天使投资会员所拥有。 请通过以下电子邮件地址和我们联系：info@bizfieldangel.com。 或添加微信咨询号：[beimeict] 以了解更多详情。
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What is a Work Permit and how do I apply for one?A work permit is a permit granted to the applicant to conduct business activities in Canada while IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) processes and reviews their application. If you intend to apply for a work permit, please notify the Bizfield Angel Network. To learn more about work permits and how to apply, visit the IRCC's Start-Up Visa Applicant Work Permit page. If you choose not to apply for a work permit immediately, you can wait for the final decision from IRCC before moving to Canada to begin operating your Canadian company.
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Can I still buy a residence in Canada even with restrictions on foreign homebuyers?Yes, you can still purchase residential property in Canada, but you will have to pay the foreign buyer tax. We recommend you consider purchasing a home after obtaining Canadian permanent residency to avoid restrictions imposed on foreign homebuyers.
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What happens if my application isn't approved?If the Bizfield Angel Network does not approve your start-up visa program application, you are welcome to adjust your business plan and resubmit your application.
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How does Bizfield guarantee the success rate of SUV Start-Up Visas?We do not guarantee the success rate of SUV applications. Whether the application can be successful depends on the applicant's business plan, product and technical strength, team strength, etc. However, our professional background will provide you with improved advice and guidance on your SUV application. Firstly, as a professional Canadian angel investment institution, Bizfield has been a member of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) since 2017 and joined BC's largest angel investment organization, VANTEC Angel Network. Bizfield has been active in the Canadian angel investment industry for seven years, with members experienced in angel investments. Secondly, we strictly review projects based on the standards set by the IRCC, Bizfield, and VANTEC. Only projects that meet these criteria receive investments from our angel investor members. Thirdly, we invite independent angel investors to join our due diligence teams, ensuring that the due diligence reports we submit are impartial, detailed, comply with Canadian investment industry standards, and meet Immigration department criteria. Lastly, and importantly for Chinese SUV applicants, we provide professional investor advice on your business plan. We coach SUV project applicants on English pitches, familiarize them with key concerns of Canadian angel investors, and ensure they successfully navigate VANTEC's two-round SUV project pitch selection process. Note: We only invest in and issue Start-Up Visa support letters to qualified projects.
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How does Bizfield work with Launch Academy to obtain Start-Up Visa Letters of Support?Launch Academy is a dedicated organization on the list of IRCC. Bizfield Angel Network will assist in identifying qualifying SUV projects and help these SUV applicants update their business plans. Our professional team also gives them valuable pieces of advice on practicing how to go through the accelerator's Q&A and due diligence to apply for the Maple program and a Letter of Support from Launch Academy. Please note, as your business/investment advisor, we just provide the knowledge and advice support. You will connect with the Launch team directly.
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How does Bizfield work with VANTEC to obtain Start-Up Visa Letters of Support?To qualify for an angel investment support letter, a qualifying Start-Up Visa (SUV) project must secure an investment of no less than CAD 75,000 from an angel organization. VANTEC itself is an organization dedicated to building an active angel investment and entrepreneurship community in British Columbia (BC). VANTEC doesn't invest directly in SUV projects. Hence, qualified angel investors from Bizfield Angel Network assist in identifying qualifying SUV projects. These Bizfield angel investors commit investments of no less than CAD 75,000 and provide a qualified due diligence report. Upon reviewing the SUV projects and due diligence reports submitted by us, VANTEC's review committee, once satisfied, will issue the Start-Up Visa support letter.
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What is the cost of the SUV project?Application, and evaluation stages with Bizfield are free. After passing the Bizfield professional panel evaluation, applicants who receive an invitation letter for the preliminary screening phase must pay an SUV Processing Fee to Bizfield. Before the SUV project supported by Bizfield enters the VANTEC review phase, an SUV review fee, as stipulated by VANTEC, must be paid.
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I've submitted an application but haven't received a response yet...Please check your junk or promotions folder to ensure our email wasn't misclassified. If you still haven't heard from us, understand that we are actively reviewing your application and will get back to you as soon as possible. If the wait time exceeds two weeks, please contact us at the following email address: info@bizfieldangel.com. Alternatively, you can add us on WeChat: [beimeict]
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Can I apply directly through Launch Academy for a Start-Up Visa support letter?Definitely. You can apply directly for the SUV Start-Up Visa through Launch Academy's official website. However, our professional service can help you update your business plan, show your advantage, and practice your negotiation skills with Canadian incubators, etc. Working with Bizfield will help the applicants get priority screening in Launch Academy's application process when they are ready. Order a consulting call with us, and let us show you our experience and knowledge of the Start-Up Visa program and the ecosystem of Canadian entrepreneurship.
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Is Bizfield Angel Network a Designated Organization by IRCC?The Bizfield Angel Network is not currently a primary Designated Organization by IRCC.Our Bizfield Angel Network works with VANTEC Angel Network, a Designated Organization, which issues the Commitment Certificate and Support Letters for qualifying businesses. Please note that Bizfield and VANTEC are two legally independent companies. Bizfield is an angel investor member of VANTEC.
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Is Bizfield SUV Program an immigration-oriented program?SUV is an immigration program operated by the Federal Government of Canada. Since Bizfield Angel Network is a professional angel investment agency and do not participate the immigration application. We only assist the Canadian government to discover more outstanding overseas entrepreneurship projects from a professional investment perspective, complete investment and issue support letters, and help outstanding foreign entrepreneurs to better operate their business in Canada.
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Do I have to settle in Vancouver? Can I go to other Canadian cities like Toronto?The Bizfield Angel Network is based in the province of BC. The letter of support issued by VANTEC will allow you to settle in any city within BC, such as Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Victoria, Nanaimo, and more. Being closer to the Bizfield Angel Network makes it more convenient for you to attend meetings and access services and resources. After receiving your Permanent Resident card, you can change your Canadian residence freely. If you wish to settle initially in the Toronto area, we can help you apply for a letter of support from other designated institutions in Toronto.
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Do you offer legal/ immigration/ accounting services?We do not offer these services directly, but our partners do. We'd be happy to provide you with recommendations.
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Can I apply directly through VANTEC for a Start-Up Visa support letter?Yes, you can apply directly for the SUV Start-Up Visa through VANTEC's official website. However, since VANTEC itself doesn't provide the CAD 75,000 angel investment, you would still need to seek a VANTEC member similar to Bizfield to provide the CAD 75,000 angel investment and a due diligence report that meets Canadian Immigration standards to complete the full SUV support letter application. Bizfield has been involved in the SUV Start-Up Visa process since 2019 and offers five years of professional application experience, ensuring reliable service
If you have more questions about entrepreneur visas, please add WeChat or consult customer service via Whatsapp.