Canada’s Startup Visa vs. United States’ International Entrepreneur Parole
What country comes to your mind first when you are thinking about the primary destination to build or expand a startup in global markets? Usually the answer is the United States, as it is the largest global market for venture funding, while Silicon Valley is considered the world’s foremost hub for technology & innovation.
However, the U.S. immigration process for international entrepreneurs is long and tedious with waiting times as long as 10 years for Green Card processing in some cases. The recent layoffs at Google, Amazon, Apple and other MNCs affecting thousands of international IT professionals only add insult to injury as they face precariousness over their H1-B, L1 visa status and their future in the U.S.
On the other hand, Canada has made rapid strides in attracting top-quality entrepreneurs from various parts of the world to launch their businesses in the country through a dedicated Startup Visa Program. In addition to an easier immigration process, Canada also offers many incentives for immigrant entrepreneurs who are looking to relocate and scale their companies globally.
Canada’s SUV vs. United States IEP
The Canadian Startup Visa (SUV) provides a less complicated route to immigration, offering several notable benefits over the U.S.’s International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP).
Note: Processing timelines may vary. The key differences between the SUV (Canada) and IER (USA) programs mentioned above are for illustration purposes only, please visit uscis.gov and canada.ca for details. Launch is a Designated Organization for the Canadian Startup Visa Program, find the official list here
Along with a faster and easier immigration process, there are more reasons to choose Canada for setting up your business and expanding it in North America and globally. Find them in Ray Walia’s article on YourStory, India’s biggest platform dedicated to fostering the startup ecosystem via entrepreneurship-related stories.
Ready to Expand Your Tech Business in Vancouver?
If you are a founder looking to expand your business to North America, Launch’s Maple program might be the right fit for you. Launch helps tech companies identify the best path for immigration to Canada for their team and their families through Canada’s Startup Visa, Express Entry, Provincial Nomination, or Global Talent Stream programs. For more information visit Launch’s Maple & Canadian Start-up Visa Program.