Path to Permanent Residency and/or Citizenship

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Each program offers a structured route to permanent residency, followed by eventual citizenship:

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Start-Up Visa:

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If the startup remains active and the applicant fulfills medical, security, and financial sufficiency checks, permanent residency can be granted directly. Processing takes 12 to 30 months. There is no conditionality post-PR, though economic monitoring continues.

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C11 Work Permit:

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Applicants must transition to PR through one of the economic immigration streams, such as Express Entry (under the Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class) or via a PNP. A typical path involves 12 months on a work permit before applying for PR.

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PNP Program:

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Most are two-step processes. First, the applicant receives a work permit tied to the provincial business. After 12-24 months of business operation and meeting performance benchmarks, the province nominates the applicant for PR. Federal PR processing then takes another 12-16 months.

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Citizenship is available after meeting the three-year physical presence rule and passing the language and knowledge test. Dual citizenship is permitted.

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