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How to apply

As of January 1, 2026, the Start-Up Visa Program is paused.

We’ll stop accepting commitment certificates from organizations after December 31, 2025.

Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate must apply by June 30, 2026.

1. Create an account or sign in

You must apply online using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. In the portal, we call the start-up visa program the Start-Up Business Class.

Apply using the PR Portal

Request an alternate format (braille, large print or paper)

If you or your representative can’t apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for the application package in one of these alternate formats:

  • braille
  • large print
  • paper
To request another format:

  1. Prepare a new email

    • In the subject line of your email, include
      • the format you need (braille, large print or paper)
      • the application package you want
    • In the body of your email, copy and paste the text below. Then, fill in the missing information.
      • Requested Format: [Braille / Large Print / Paper]
      • Application Package: [Name of the application package or program]
      • Preferred Language: [English / French]
      • Delivery Method: [Email / Regular Mail in Canada]
      • Applicant or Sponsor Information:
        • Full Name (as shown on passport):
        • Email Address (if requesting electronic delivery):
        • Mailing Address (if requesting regular mail – Canada only):

    Please do not add extra information as it is not necessary and will not be taken into consideration to send out the alternate format.

  2. Send your email to: IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

    Note: we will only reply to requests for alternate formats. We won't reply to any other types of requests.

After we review your request, we’ll send the package in the format and delivery method you chose, with instructions on how to send your application back to IRCC.

If you need additional assistance applying with an alternate format, call 1-888-242-2100 (from inside Canada only).

If you’re getting help with your application from someone else

You can ask someone to help you with your immigration application.

There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:

If you’re using a paid immigration representative

Paid immigration representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).

If you want to use a paid representative, you must:

A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own account. They can also:

  • help you prepare the documents you need to upload
  • answer questions about the forms

They can’t:

  • open a portal account on your behalf
  • electronically sign the application for you
  • sign in to the portal using your username and password

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.

If you’re using an unpaid representative

Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be:

  • family members
  • friends
  • anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee

If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must:

An unpaid representative can:

  • help you open a PR portal account
  • fill out forms for you, but not sign them
  • communicate with us for you
  • help you prepare the documents you need to upload
  • answer questions about immigration forms

They can’t electronically sign the application for you.

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative

You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t:

  • advise you on which program to apply for
  • complete or update your application as you
  • act as you when dealing with us

They can help you:

  • use our website to find information
  • access a computer, scanner or printer
  • navigate our portals and accounts in your presence
  • view and open electronic forms
  • download/upload documents
  • get your documents translated
  • make travel plans
If you want us to release information from your application to someone else

If you want us to give information from your application to someone else (not a representative)

  1. Download the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) form.
  2. Complete and sign it (digitally or by hand).
  3. Get the person who needs your information to sign it too.
  4. Upload it with your application.
If you’re having technical issues

If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).

  1. Select your problem.
  2. Under Tell us about yourself:
    • If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
    • If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
  3. Under Tell us about your technical issue:
    • Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
    • Explain any problems that you’re having.
    • Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
      • the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
      • any error messages you’re getting.

Read the application guide (IMM 5759) for more detailed instructions on

  • filling out forms
  • getting documents you need
  • completing your application

2. Get your forms and documents ready

You must use the document checklist to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need.

Get your documents translated and certified if they’re not in English or French

Each supporting document that isn’t in English or French must have 2 parts:

  1. an English or French translation that’s:
    • stamped by a certified translator
      • Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number.
      • The translator should also photocopy your original document and stamp it if that’s what they based the translation on.
      • All stamps and seals that aren’t in English or French must also be translated.
      • You can include a scanned copy of a letter explaining that you don’t need an affidavit because you used a certified translator.
    • accompanied by an affidavit from the person who completed the translation, swearing that their translation is true and accurate,
      • The affidavit must be signed in the presence of an authorized person
      • Use this option only if a translation cannot be completed by a certified translator.
      • Both the translated document and the original document the translator worked from must be referred to in the affidavit.
  1. a scan of the original document, or a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document, that the translator worked from.
    • You only need to provide a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document if the translation was based on the certified photocopy.
Who cannot translate documents?
  • Your family members
  • Your immigration representative or consultant

Get copies of documents certified

To have a copy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare it to the original document and print the following on the copy:

  •  “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”
  •  the name of the original document
  •  the date of the certification
  •  the name of the authorized person
  •  their official position or title
  •  their signature
Who can certify copies and be the witness to an affidavit

In Canada, examples of authorized persons who can certify the copies of your original documents and be the witness to an affidavit include:

Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your provincial or territorial authorities to be sure who can certify your documents.

Outside Canada, each country has different authorities to certify documents. A notary public may be able to certify your documents, but you should check with your local authorities to be sure.

Who cannot certify copies or be the witness to an affidavit

An authorized person can’t certify a copy of a document or be the witness to an affidavit if they’re also:

  •  the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (if this applies)
  •  a family member of the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin)

Forms you’ll fill out in the portal

You’ll fill out these digital forms in the PR portal (for yourself, and any family members 18 or older)

PDF forms you’ll upload

PDF forms you’ll sign and upload, if they apply to you

Supporting documents you need to upload

  • travel document or passport
  • language proficiency test results
  • letter of support
  • birth certificates
  • identity and civil status documents
  • children’s information
  • police certificates
  • photos of you and each family member in Canada
  • fee payment receipt
  • proof of funds 

Your document checklist has more detail on each supporting document. 

3. Pay your application fees

Fees: from Error loading date. Try again.

You must pay your fees online(opens in a new tab) .

Processing fees You need to pay processing fees for yourself and any of your dependants.
Right of permanent residence fee In most cases, you need to pay the right of permanent residence fee when your application is approved.
Biometrics fee Pay your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) fee when you submit your application to avoid delays.
Other fees You likely need to pay fees to other organizations for

4. Submit your online application

Check processing times

If you’re part of an entrepreneurial team

If you’re applying for permanent residence (PR) with partners from your qualifying business, we won’t process any of your applications until we receive them all.

Each business partner must submit their own application.

If a team member won’t be submitting a PR application anymore, you must use the web form to tell us as soon as possible.

Before you submit your application, make sure you

  • answer all questions
  • include your fee receipt
  • upload all the supporting documents

If your application is incomplete, we’ll send you an email letting you know what’s missing. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.

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2026-04-23