October 3, 2024 – IRCC marks the official release of the long-awaited 3-year open work permit for Start-Up Visa (SUV) applicants.

If you have applied for permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program, you may now be eligible to apply for an optional open work permit.

Key features of the open work permit include:

• Valid for up to 3 years
• Allows you to work as an entrepreneur to develop your business
• Allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada to supplement your income

If you applied for this work permit before October 3, 2024

If you applied before October 3, 2024, you were applying for an employer-specific work permit, meaning you would only be allowed to work for your start-up.

If you prefer to switch to the new open work permit option, follow these steps:

1. Submit a new open work permit application: Follow the application instructions and pay the required fees.
   • Be sure to submit a new open work permit application before withdrawing a pending employer-specific application to maintain your status in Canada.
2. Withdraw your pending employer-specific work permit application: If the processing has not started, you will receive a refund of the $155 processing fee. You can check the status of your application online or link your paper application to your online account.
3. Withdraw your employment offer: If you submitted a job offer through the Employer Portal, you must also withdraw that offer. A refund of the $230 employer compliance fee will be provided.

If you are already in Canada as a temporary resident

If you withdraw your employer-specific work permit application, your temporary resident status in Canada may be affected.

• If you submitted your employer-specific work permit application before your temporary resident status expired, you have maintained temporary resident status while IRCC processes that application.
  • Submit your new open work permit application before withdrawing your employer-specific work permit application to maintain your status in Canada.

When you withdraw your employer-specific work permit application, your work authorization may also be affected.

• If you submit a new open work permit application before withdrawing 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 you cannot work while IRCC process your open work permit application.
• You must submit a new open work permit application before your previous work permit expires to be allowed to continue working under the conditions of your expired work permit while IRCC processes your new application.

Who is eligible to apply?

To qualify for this work permit, you must:

• Have applied for permanent residence through the SUV program.
  • If you are part of an entrepreneurial team: If your commitment certificate was issued to a team, all team members must submit their permanent residence applications before any member can receive a work permit.
• Be an essential member of your entrepreneurial team.
• Intend to live outside the province of Quebec.
• Show that your business or work will provide significant economic benefits to Canada, such as:
  • Job creation
  • Product or service innovation
  • Boosting remote economies
  • Offering training opportunities for Canadians
  • Your application must include supporting documents proving:
    • You are an experienced entrepreneur.
    • Your business will deliver at least one of the above-mentioned benefits.
• Financial requirements: To qualify for the work permit, you must also demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family for at least 52 weeks, based on family size. The money must be Accessible, Transferable, Free from debts or other obligations. Accepted proof of funds includes:
  • Cash
  • Documents showing property or capital payable to you, such as:
    • Stocks
    • Bonds
    • Debentures
    • Treasury bills
  • Documents guaranteeing payment of a specific amount to you, such as:
    • Bank drafts
    • Cheques
    • Traveller’s cheques
    • Money orders
  • Minimum amount of money required (as of June 3, 2024):

Number of family members	Funds required (CAD)
1	$29,380
2	$36,576
3	$44,966
4	$54,594
5	$61,920
6	$69,834
7	$77,750
Additional family members	Add $7,916 per member

You will also need to show that you have enough funds to start your business, which must be separate from the money you are using to support yourself and your family.

Bringing cash to Canada

If you bring more than CAD $10,000 in cash across the Canadian border, you must declare it to a border agent upon arrival. Failure to do so may result in fines or the seizure of your funds.

Family members who can accompany you

If you apply for this work permit, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be eligible to accompany you, provided they meet the requirements for temporary residence. This includes children who are too young to attend school.

Work and study permits for family members

Eligible family members accompanying you may also apply for an open work permit, and dependent children can apply for a study permit. 

Each family member must submit a separate application for a 

• visitor visa or eTA
• work permit
• study permit

All applications can be submitted along with your work permit application.

Required Documents:

• Proof that you (and all team members, if applicable) submitted a permanent residency application, such as:
  • letter of acknowledgment (AOR) from IRCC
  • Courier receipt for your application package mailed to IRCC and proof of you paid your fees. 
  • Confirmation of online application submission and proof of you paid your fees. 
• Support letter from a designated entity
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
• Medical examination results
• Valid police certificates (if needed)
• Proof of you have enough money to start up your business.
  • These money must be separate from the funds needed to support yourself and your family.

Recommended documents:

• Your business plan
  • Ensure it shows what you have done to start business operations after you receive your commitment certificate.
• A detailed staffing plan
• Proof of exploratory research
  • This could include supplier discussions, site selection, exploratory visits, or meetings.
• Your resume.
• Proof that you can fulfil the work related to your role within your business: 
  • Documents should highlight your transferable skills.
  • Proof you have the investment funds available to transfer to Canada.
    • Separate from your support funds.

Source: IRCC