Startup Visa guidance
for San Francisco 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 San Francisco applicants choose startup visa.
A leading technology and startup hub, where software engineers and founders frequently weigh Canadian Startup Visa and Express Entry pathways alongside US options.
San Francisco founders have unusually strong access to designated Canadian venture capital and incubator partners, given how closely the Bay Area and Toronto/Vancouver startup ecosystems are linked.
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 San Francisco serves the Bay Area; immigration applications are filed with IRCC directly, not through the consulate.
Ready to explore Startup Visa from San Francisco?
Book a free, no-obligation assessment with Mahyar to get an honest picture of your best pathway to Canada.
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