Start-up visa optional work permit
Features
Start-up visa optional open work permit
If you already applied for permanent residence through the Start‑Up Visa Program, you might also be able to get an optional open work permit.
This open work permit:
- is valid for up to 3 years
- lets you work as an entrepreneur to develop your business
- lets you work for almost any employer in Canada to supplement your income
If you applied for a Start-Up Visa work permit before October 3, 2024
If you applied before October 3, 2024, you applied for an employer-specific work permit. This means you will only be able to work for your start-up.
If you want to apply for the new open work permit instead:
- Follow the instructions to apply for an open work permit and pay the fees.
- Be sure to submit your new open work permit application before you withdraw your pending employer-specific application to maintain your status in Canada.
- Withdraw your pending work permit application.
- We’ll refund the $155 processing fee if we haven’t started processing your application yet.
- Check your application status online or by linking your application if you applied on paper.
- Learn what to do if you’re already in Canada as a temporary resident.
- We’ll refund the $155 processing fee if we haven’t started processing your application yet.
- Withdraw the offer of employment you submitted through the Employer Portal.
- We’ll refund your $230 employer compliance fee.
If you’re already in Canada as a temporary resident
Your temporary resident status in Canada may be impacted if you withdraw your employer-specific work permit application.
- If you submitted your employer-specific work permit application before your temporary resident status expired, you have maintained temporary resident status while we process that application.
- Submit your new open work permit application before you withdraw your pending employer-specific application to maintain your status in Canada.
Your work authorization may also be impacted when you withdraw your employer-specific work permit application.
- If you submit a new open work permit application before you withdraw your pending employer-specific work permit application, but after your previous work permit expires, you will maintain your temporary resident status, but you will lose your authorization to work.
- This means that you can’t work while we process your open work permit application.
- You must submit your new open work permit application before your previous work permit expires to be allowed to continue working under the conditions of the expired work permit while we process your new application.
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