Startup Visa guidance
for Chicago applicants.
Licensed RCIC support for founders pursuing permanent residency through the Start-Up Visa Program.
Book Free AssessmentAs of December 2025, the Start-up Visa is not accepting new applications, and no reopening date has been announced. The information below is kept for reference and for applicants already in the queue. Entrepreneurs starting now are usually best served by a provincial entrepreneur stream — see Entrepreneur PNP options → Mahyar will confirm the current status of both during your free assessment.
Why Chicago applicants choose startup visa.
A large Midwest hub for finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, with steady interest in Express Entry and provincial nomination pathways among licensed professionals.
Chicago's manufacturing and logistics-tech scene has produced Startup Visa candidates whose business models translate well to designated organizations focused on industrial innovation.
The Startup Visa targets permanent residence directly, not a temporary permit — its biggest bottleneck is securing a Letter of Support from a designated Canadian incubator, VC fund, or angel investor group, not local ties. Mahyar Afzali, RCIC, works directly with clients throughout the process — from initial eligibility assessment through submission and follow-through — regardless of where in the US you're based.
The Consulate General of Canada in Chicago serves the Midwest; immigration applications are filed with IRCC directly rather than through the consulate.
Ready to explore Startup Visa from Chicago?
Book a free, no-obligation assessment with Mahyar to get an honest picture of your best pathway to Canada.
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