Canada's Start-up Visa Program, designed to help immigrants become entrepreneurs and citizens, was evaluated in a 5-year pilot program and found to be a success and will become permanent. The announcement was first made on Twitter at a conference when Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said the visa program will become permanent in 2018:
“Our government’s Innovation and Skills Plan has identified the nurturing of entrepreneurship and the growth of start-ups as vitally important to Canada’s present and future economy. Every company launched in Canada with the help of the Start-up Visa Program has the potential to be a big win for Canadians by providing middle-class jobs and strengthening our economy… making the start-up visa program permanent supports that agenda.”
The evaluation determined that the start-up visa program is delivering on its goals, and there are more than 50 Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators participating in the program, with participants receiving more than $3.7 million in investment capital.
Calgary immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah is pleased to see the Start-up Visa Program will become permanent:
Many talented, creative people want to move to our country and start a business that will improve our economy and create jobs. I'm delighted to see the start-up visa pilot program has proven a success, and look forward to working with people from around the globe who want to build their business in Canada and help build a stronger Canada.
