Can a Start-Up Visa applicant get a temporary work permit to start building the business right away?

Yes, generally, a Start-Up Visa applicant can apply for a temporary work permit to begin working on their business in Canada while their permanent residence application is still being processed. This work permit is a separate application from the PR pathway itself, but it is designed to complement it, allowing an entrepreneur to start building the business rather than waiting abroad until a final PR decision is made.

The part that often confuses applicants is that approval of the work permit is not the same thing as approval of the permanent residence application, and having one does not guarantee the other. Each is assessed under its own criteria, and a temporary work permit being issued does not mean the PR application will ultimately succeed, nor does a delay or issue with the work permit necessarily affect the PR application. Applicants sometimes assume that once they are in Canada working on the business, permanent residence is a formality, which is not accurate. Because the specific requirements for this work permit option, and the overall availability of the Start-Up Visa Program itself, can change, anyone considering this route should confirm current details directly through IRCC's published guidance or speak with an immigration lawyer before making arrangements to relocate or invest based on this option.