- GenesisLink
May 12, 2026
Business Immigration
IRCC is sending a 26-question due diligence letter to Startup Visa applicants. This guide explains what each question really means, how to answer it, and the evidence you need to back it up.
How to Prepare for IRCC’s Startup Visa Due Diligence Questions: A Complete Applicant Guide
If your Startup Visa application has reached IRCC’s processing stage, you may receive a detailed questionnaire asking you to prove your business is real, active, and progressing. These requests are not a rejection signal — they are IRCC conducting structured due diligence to confirm your application reflects a genuine, operating business.
This guide walks through all 26 questions that IRCC has been sending to Startup Visa applicants in 2025–2026, explains what each question is really asking, and gives you clear guidance on how to prepare a strong, evidence-backed response.
Table of Contents
- Why IRCC Sends These Questions
- Section 1: Business Relationships & Customer Traction (Q1–5)
- Section 2: Business Strategy & Competitive Positioning (Q6–7)
- Section 3: Product Status, IP & Regulatory Compliance (Q8–11)
- Section 4: Team Structure & Individual Contributions (Q12–13)
- Section 5: Team Focus & Collaboration Evidence (Q14–16)
- Section 6: Public Presence & Marketing Activity (Q17–19)
- Section 7: Business Viability & Growth Plan (Q20)
- Section 8: Operations & Infrastructure (Q21–22)
- Section 9: Financial Foundations (Q23–26)
- Section 10: Milestone Progress (Q24)
- Final Tips Before You Submit
Why IRCC Sends These Questions
The Canada Startup Visa program is designed for entrepreneurs who are building genuine, scalable businesses — not for passive investors or businesses that exist only on paper. IRCC has significantly increased scrutiny over recent years in response to a high volume of applications where business activity was limited or fabricated after the Commitment Certificate was issued.
When you receive this questionnaire, IRCC is asking one fundamental question: Is this a real business with real people doing real work?
Your answers must be specific, evidence-supported, and internally consistent. Vague or narrative-only responses rarely satisfy an officer. Every claim should be backed by a document, screenshot, invoice, agreement, or verifiable record.
Section 1: Business Relationships & Customer Traction
Q1. Have you secured strategic partners, networks, or local developers and engineers? Please provide evidence of these relationships, including signed agreements, contracts, or letters of support.
What IRCC is really asking: Have you built actual working relationships in Canada — not just contacts on LinkedIn? They want to see that your business is embedded in a real ecosystem.
How to answer it: - List each partner or contractor by name, organization, and role. - Attach signed agreements, statements of work, letters of support, or active service contracts. - If relationships are informal, provide email correspondence, meeting records, or LinkedIn messages that demonstrate ongoing engagement. - If you have not yet formalized agreements, explain why and what stage discussions are at — but be honest.
Documents to prepare: Signed contracts, MOUs, letters of support, service agreements, consultant agreements, correspondence records.
Q2. Have you secured commercial, private, or governmental relationships, sales agreements, or business contracts with potential customers in Canada?
What IRCC is really asking: Have you made progress toward revenue? This question tests whether your business has moved beyond the concept stage.
How to answer it: - List any signed contracts, pilot agreements, letters of intent (LOIs), or MOU documents. - Include client name (if B2B), contract value or scope, and current status. - If you have LOIs rather than signed contracts, provide them and clarify your timeline to conversion. - Government relationships: include any correspondence with municipal, provincial, or federal offices expressing interest in your solution.
Documents to prepare: Sales contracts, LOIs, government correspondence, pilot program agreements.
Q3. Do you have active customers in Canada? If so, have orders been placed and fulfilled? Please provide proof such as signed agreements, invoices, proof of payment, or confirmation of service delivery.
What IRCC is really asking: Are people actually paying for your product or service in Canada?
How to answer it: - Provide a customer list (anonymized where necessary for privacy), including transaction dates, amounts, and delivery confirmation. - Attach invoices, payment receipts, contracts, or subscription confirmations. - If your model is B2C, export transaction data from Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, or your payment processor. - If you have no paying customers yet, explain your current stage (beta users, pilot, pre-revenue) and provide evidence of active users or signed pilot agreements.
Documents to prepare: Invoices, payment records, subscription data, delivery confirmations, pilot agreements.
Q4. Is your product currently in production? Where is it manufactured, and how is it distributed?
What IRCC is really asking: Does your product actually exist in a deliverable form, and do you have a clear operational model?
How to answer it: - Describe the current production status (prototype, beta, MVP, commercially available, etc.). - If physical: provide manufacturing location, supplier agreements, and distribution chain details. - If digital: provide the live URL, app store link, or SaaS platform access. Describe your hosting infrastructure and deployment process. - Attach any supplier contracts, logistics agreements, or platform agreements.
Documents to prepare: Product screenshots or demo access, supplier contracts, logistics records, hosting agreements.
Q5. Can you demonstrate that customers are actively using your product or technology?
What IRCC is really asking: Is there real usage, not just account sign-ups?
How to answer it: - Provide analytics data: active user counts, session data, engagement metrics, transaction logs. - Screenshots from Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Stripe, or your CRM. - For B2B: provide client usage reports, support tickets resolved, or account activity logs. - Testimonials or case studies can supplement but not replace data.
Documents to prepare: Analytics exports, platform usage screenshots, CRM data, client usage summaries.
Section 2: Business Strategy & Competitive Positioning
Q6. What is your business strategy for generating recurring revenue?
What IRCC is really asking: Is this a sustainable business or a one-time service? They want to see that you have thought beyond a single transaction.
How to answer it: - Describe your revenue model clearly: subscription, licensing, SaaS, marketplace fees, retainer, etc. - Explain your customer acquisition strategy and estimated customer lifetime value. - Include financial projections showing how recurring revenue scales over 12–36 months. - If you do not yet have recurring revenue, describe the model you are building toward and what milestones will trigger it.
Documents to prepare: Revenue model summary, financial projections, pricing structure document.
Q7. Who are your direct competitors?
What IRCC is really asking: Do you understand the market you are entering, and can you clearly differentiate yourself?
How to answer it: - Name 3–5 direct competitors operating in Canada or your target market. - For each, describe what they offer and how your product or service is meaningfully different. - Avoid vague answers like “there is no competition.” Every business has competition — direct, indirect, or incumbent behavior. - A brief competitive matrix (feature comparison table) is a strong addition here.
Documents to prepare: Competitive analysis, differentiation summary, market positioning document.
Section 3: Product Status, IP & Regulatory Compliance
Q8. Is your product currently available for purchase? If yes, through which platform is it sold, at what price, and can you provide proof of sales?
What IRCC is really asking: Is the product commercially live, or is it still theoretical?
How to answer it: - Answer directly: yes or no. - If yes: provide the sales platform (website, app store, marketplace), current price, and attach proof of sales (invoices, transaction history, platform reports). - If no: clearly explain where you are in the development cycle, your expected launch date, and evidence of pre-sales, beta users, or pilot commitments.
Documents to prepare: Sales platform link, pricing page screenshot, transaction history.
Q9. Have you been in contact with local, provincial, or federal government bodies regarding the viability of your product in Canada? Have they expressed interest, and how does your product comply with environmental regulations?
What IRCC is really asking: Have you engaged with the Canadian regulatory environment? Are you aware of the compliance obligations your product carries?
How to answer it: - List any government bodies contacted: municipality, provincial ministry, federal agency, regulatory authority. - Provide correspondence, meeting notes, or formal responses. - Address environmental compliance directly: if applicable, describe the relevant regulations (e.g., Environment and Climate Change Canada standards) and how your product meets them. - If your product has no environmental impact, state this clearly and briefly explain why.
Documents to prepare: Government correspondence, regulatory assessment, compliance summary.
Q10. Has the product been patented in Canada? If yes, please provide proof of ownership of the intellectual property.
What IRCC is really asking: Is your intellectual property protected, and is ownership clearly established?
How to answer it: - If patented: provide the Canadian Patent Office registration number, date filed, date granted, and the patent certificate. - If patent pending: provide the application number and filing confirmation. - If not patented: explain your IP protection strategy (trade secret, copyright, trademark, first-mover advantage) and provide supporting documentation where possible. - Trademark registrations, copyright filings, or proprietary software agreements should also be included.
Documents to prepare: Patent certificate or application confirmation, IP assignment agreements, trademark registrations.
Q11. What testing and certifications have been completed to meet safety, quality, and environmental standards required by regulatory bodies or industry associations?
What IRCC is really asking: Has your product gone through proper validation? Are you compliant with Canadian standards?
How to answer it: - List each certification or standard your product has been tested against (e.g., CSA, UL, Health Canada, ISO, FDA equivalents where applicable). - Provide certificates, test reports, or approval letters. - If testing is still in progress, describe what stage you are at and your expected certification timeline. - If your product category does not require formal certification, explain the regulatory framework that applies and confirm compliance.
Documents to prepare: Certification documents, test reports, approval letters, regulatory compliance summary.
Section 4: Team Structure & Individual Contributions
Q12. How is the business managed, and how are roles distributed when key executives are located outside Canada?
What IRCC is really asking: Is the business actually being run from Canada, or is Canada only being used as a nominal address?
How to answer it: - Provide a clear organizational chart showing where each founding and executive team member is physically located. - Explain the governance structure: who makes decisions in Canada, who manages day-to-day operations, and how the team coordinates across time zones. - If some founders remain outside Canada temporarily, explain the transition timeline and what activities are being directed from Canada in the interim. - Include any delegation of authority documents or operational agreements.
Documents to prepare: Org chart, governance document, residency confirmation for Canadian-based members (lease, utility bill, etc.), team coordination procedures.
Q13. What specific contributions has each founding and executive team member made to date? Please outline individual roles, deliverables, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
What IRCC is really asking: Is every team member genuinely contributing, or are some names on paper only?
How to answer it: - Prepare a contribution summary for each team member: name, title, key deliverables since incorporation, and measurable outcomes tied to each. - Be specific. Avoid generic role descriptions. Instead of “responsible for product development,” write “built and deployed Version 1.0 of the platform between March and August 2024, resulting in 150 beta users onboarded.” - Attach supporting evidence: code commits, design files, client contracts signed, partnerships secured, marketing campaigns launched.
Documents to prepare: Contribution matrix by team member, supporting evidence per deliverable (GitHub history, design files, signed contracts, etc.).
Section 5: Team Focus & Collaboration Evidence
Q14. For the team members in Canada, are they currently focused on the business or are they employed and working for other employers?
What IRCC is really asking: Are your Canadian-based founders dedicated to this venture, or is it a side project?
How to answer it: - Answer directly for each team member in Canada. - If fully focused: provide confirmation (payroll records, shareholder agreements, or a signed declaration). - If working part-time while employed elsewhere: be transparent. Explain the arrangement, how many hours per week are dedicated to the startup, and your plan to transition to full-time. - Hiding outside employment and being caught contradicts your credibility across the entire application.
Documents to prepare: Employment declarations, payroll records, time commitment statements.
Q15. How did the founding team members meet? Please explain how and where each member connected and provide supporting evidence.
What IRCC is really asking: Is this a genuine team with a real founding story, or was it assembled solely for the purpose of the visa application?
How to answer it: - Tell the actual story: where you met, when, what the context was (accelerator, university, prior employer, industry event, online community). - Provide corroborating evidence: event registration records, alumni records, prior company employment, LinkedIn message history showing the introduction. - Consistency matters — all team members’ accounts should align.
Documents to prepare: Event records, LinkedIn history, alumni records, prior company documentation.
Q16. Please provide evidence (emails, calendars, agendas, meeting minutes, collaboration tools, contracts) demonstrating that the team has met in person or virtually and that regular meetings have occurred from company inception to the present.
What IRCC is really asking: Can you prove the team has been working together continuously — not just at application time?
How to answer it: - Export your calendar history showing recurring team meetings (Google Calendar, Outlook). - Provide a log of meeting agendas and minutes, even informal ones. - Include screenshots from your collaboration tools: Slack message threads, Notion project boards, Asana task history, GitHub activity. - If in-person meetings have occurred, provide photos, receipts (coffee shop, coworking space), or travel records. - The more longitudinal this evidence is (spanning from inception to the present), the stronger your response.
Documents to prepare: Calendar exports, meeting minutes, collaboration tool screenshots, travel records if applicable.
Section 6: Public Presence & Marketing Activity
Q17. Have you participated in public speaking events, interviews, business meetings, or workshops?
What IRCC is really asking: Is the founding team visible in the Canadian business ecosystem?
How to answer it: - List all speaking engagements, panel appearances, podcast interviews, workshop participations, or media features since incorporation. - Provide event names, dates, formats (in-person or virtual), and a link or screenshot for each. - Include Canadian business events, accelerator programs, industry associations, and media outlets. - Even one or two well-documented appearances demonstrate meaningful engagement.
Documents to prepare: Event programs, speaker bio pages, recording links, media articles, interview transcripts.
Q18. What marketing activities have been launched in Canada to date?
What IRCC is really asking: Have you made deliberate efforts to reach Canadian customers or build brand awareness in Canada?
How to answer it: - Describe every marketing activity by channel: website, social media, email campaigns, paid ads, PR, content marketing, trade shows, partnerships. - Specify Canadian focus where applicable: geo-targeted ads, Canadian press releases, Canada-specific landing pages. - Include dates, platforms, and measurable results where available.
Documents to prepare: Campaign summaries, ad account screenshots, website analytics (Canada traffic), social media analytics.
Q19. What proof exists of marketing expenditures, campaigns, or user engagement?
What IRCC is really asking: Can you back up your marketing claims with financial records and measurable results?
How to answer it: - Provide bank statements or credit card records showing marketing expenditures. - Export ad spend reports from Google Ads, Meta Ads, or other platforms. - Include engagement metrics: website visitors, email open rates, social media followers, app downloads, conversion rates. - Tie expenditures to outcomes wherever possible.
Documents to prepare: Ad spend reports, bank records, analytics exports, campaign performance reports.
Section 7: Business Viability & Growth Plan
Q20. Is the company’s growth plan achievable based on current resources, scale, and market traction?
What IRCC is really asking: Does your projected growth match the reality of your current business state?
How to answer it: - This question requires an honest, grounded assessment — not a copy of your original pitch deck. - Start from your current metrics: actual users, actual revenue, actual team size, actual capital deployed. - Build a forward projection that is directly tied to those numbers and explains what additional resources or milestones will drive the next stage of growth. - Acknowledge any pivots or adjustments made since the original business plan was submitted, and explain why those adjustments make the business stronger.
Documents to prepare: Updated financial projections, market traction summary, updated business plan or milestone roadmap.
Section 8: Operations & Infrastructure
Q21. Where is the business currently operating (home office, coworking space, commercial office, etc.)?
What IRCC is really asking: Does the business have a physical presence in Canada?
How to answer it: - Describe the exact operating location: address, type of space, and when operations began there. - Attach a lease agreement, coworking membership contract, or utility bill confirming the address. - If operating from a home office, confirm this clearly and provide proof of Canadian residency at that address.
Documents to prepare: Lease agreement, coworking membership, utility bill, business registration showing the address.
Q22. Does the company currently employ any staff?
What IRCC is really asking: Is the business creating economic activity in Canada?
How to answer it (if yes): - For each employee or contractor: provide their name, role, employment status (employee or contractor), location (Canada or outside), start date, and attach employment records (offer letter, contract, or payroll record).
How to answer it (if no): - Explain clearly how each core function is being carried out: who is handling product development, sales, customer support, and marketing. - Describe whether founders are covering these roles directly, or whether third-party service providers are engaged. - Provide supporting contracts or service agreements.
Documents to prepare: Employment contracts, contractor agreements, payroll records, service provider agreements.
Section 9: Financial Foundations
Q23. Have you opened a business bank account in Canada?
What IRCC is really asking: Is your business operating financially within Canada?
How to answer it: - Answer yes or no. - If yes: provide the bank name, account opening date, and a recent bank statement (account number may be redacted, but transactions should be visible). - If no: explain why and provide your timeline for opening one. Note that a Canadian business bank account is expected for an active, operating startup.
Documents to prepare: Bank account opening confirmation, recent bank statement.
Q25. Have you received the committed investment from the designated organization or investor?
What IRCC is really asking: Has the financial commitment in your Commitment Certificate actually been transferred to the business?
How to answer it (if yes): - Specify the exact amount received, the date of transfer, the source (which designated organization or investor), and where the funds are currently held. - Attach wire transfer records and bank statements confirming receipt.
How to answer it (if no): - Explain the reason clearly: is the investment structured in tranches? Are there conditions precedent? Is there a dispute? - Provide correspondence with the designated organization confirming the timeline and terms. - If the investment has been significantly delayed or withheld, this may require legal counsel and proactive communication with IRCC.
Documents to prepare: Wire transfer records, bank statements, tranche schedule, investor correspondence.
Q26. How much of the investment has been spent to date, and on what activities? What concrete targets do you expect to achieve in the next 6–12 months?
What IRCC is really asking: Is the investment being used to build the business, and do you have a clear, measurable plan going forward?
How to answer it: - Provide a categorized breakdown of expenditures to date: product development, salaries, marketing, operations, legal/compliance, etc. - Attach supporting invoices, bank statements, and payroll records. - For the forward-looking portion, state 3–5 specific, measurable targets with realistic timelines (e.g., “Achieve 500 paying customers by Q4 2026,” “Hire 2 full-time engineers by August 2026”). - Targets should be tied to your current trajectory — not aspirational numbers disconnected from your current reality.
Documents to prepare: Expenditure breakdown with invoices, bank statements, forward milestone plan.
Section 10: Milestone Progress
Q24. How has the company progressed against the milestones outlined in the commitment certificate?
What IRCC is really asking: Have you delivered on the specific commitments you made when you received your designation?
How to answer it: - Pull out every milestone listed in your original Commitment Certificate and assess each one: completed, in progress, delayed, or not yet started. - For completed milestones: provide evidence of completion. - For in-progress or delayed milestones: explain what has happened, why, and your revised timeline. - Never omit a milestone or hope IRCC will not notice it. Officers compare your current response directly against the Certificate.
Documents to prepare: Commitment Certificate (annotated with status per milestone), evidence of completed milestones, written explanations for any delays.
Final Tips Before You Submit
1. Be specific and evidence-first. Every factual claim should have a document attached. Narrative explanations without supporting evidence are weak responses.
2. Be consistent. All team members’ answers must align. Contradictions between responses are red flags.
3. Be honest about gaps. If a milestone is delayed or an activity has not yet started, acknowledge it directly and explain why. Officers respond better to honest, contextual explanations than to vague or evasive answers.
4. Organize your submission. Use a clear document structure: answer each question in numbered order, label your attachments clearly (e.g., “Exhibit A — Bank Statement, April 2026”), and include a cover page listing all documents provided.
5. Meet the deadline. The response deadline in your letter is firm. If you need an extension, contact IRCC immediately in writing before the deadline expires.
6. Work with your RCIC and business consultant. Your immigration consultant is responsible for the legal and immigration elements of your response. Your business consultant should support you in documenting the business-side evidence — financials, operations, team contributions, and milestone progress.
GenesisLink supports immigration professionals and entrepreneurs in preparing the business documentation required for Canada Startup Visa applications, including due diligence response packages. If you are working through an IRCC questionnaire and need structured support on the business side, contact our team.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Always work with a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
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