Canada Start-Up Visa vs E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is faster: 3 months vs 14 months for Canada Start-Up Visa.
- ›Canada Start-Up Visa leads to citizenship (~3 yrs); E-2 Treaty Investor Visa does not.
- ›E-2 Treaty Investor Visa requires a 100,000 USD investment; Canada Start-Up Visa does not.
Canada Start-Up Visa Canada · entrepreneur | E-2 Treaty Investor Visa United States · investment | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | United States |
| Category | Entrepreneur | Investment |
| Application Fee | $1,575 | $315 |
| Minimum Income | — | — |
| Minimum Investment | — | $100,000 |
| Processing Time | 14 months | 3 months |
| Family Included | Spouse/common-law partner and dependent children are included and receive permanent residency simultaneously | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 included; spouse may apply for work authorization |
| Path to PR | Yes — 0 years | No |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 3 years | No |
| Physical Presence | Must be physically present in Canada; PR holders must reside 730 days in 5 years to maintain status | Must maintain active direction and development of the enterprise; extended absences may jeopardize status |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Permanent residents are subject to Canadian worldwide income tax from landing date | E-2 holders who meet the Substantial Presence Test become US tax residents subject to worldwide income reporting |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | — | — |
About Canada Start-Up Visa
Canada's Start-Up Visa Program grants permanent residency to innovative entrepreneurs who secure a commitment from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. Up to five founders per qualifying business can apply together, making it one of the few immigration pathways designed for co-founding teams. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient language proficiency and settlement funds to support themselves upon arrival.
Full Canada Start-Up Visa profile →About E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals of treaty countries to enter and work in the United States based on a substantial investment in a bona fide US business. Unlike the EB-5, this is a non-immigrant visa with no direct path to permanent residency, but it can be renewed indefinitely in two- to five-year increments as long as the business remains operational. The investor must direct and develop the enterprise and own at least 50% of the business.
Full E-2 Treaty Investor Visa profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Canada Start-Up Visa
- ⚠2024 IRCC announced 2-3 year processing target; inventory caps prioritise certain applications
- ⚠Business must be actively operated in Canada post-PR; inactive companies risk review
- ⚠Multiple founders (up to 5) can share one Letter of Support — but all must be essential
- ⚠Designated organizations have varying reputations; due diligence critical
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
- ⚠E-2 does NOT lead to green card — indefinite renewable but non-immigrant status
- ⚠Not available to Indian or Chinese nationals (no treaty). Grenada CBI is a workaround for E-2 access.
- ⚠"Marginality" rule: business must be more than sole income source for investor family
- ⚠E-2 spouse can work (2022 automatic extension); children lose status at 21
- ⚠US tax residency kicks in via substantial presence — worldwide income + FATCA
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.