Canada is overhauling its business immigration system, specifically the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will stop issuing new Start-Up Visa commitment certificates after December 31, 2025.
Applications for SUV-related work permits are temporarily halted, limiting new entrants under the current program.
Canada is set to make significant changes to its business immigration system, pausing major components of the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program as it prepares to launch a new, more focused entrepreneur pilot in 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will stop issuing new Start-Up Visa commitment certificates after December 31, 2025. In addition, the agency has temporarily halted applications for SUV-related work permits, effectively restricting most new entrants under the current program.
This move comes in response to growing application backlogs and increasing pressure on Canada’s immigration infrastructure. According to IRCC, the pause will allow the government to better manage existing applications while establishing the foundation for a pilot program targeting what officials describe as the “right kind” of international entrepreneurs those with stronger business plans, clear funding strategies, and greater potential for long-term economic impact.
Under the updated rules, only applicants already in Canada holding an SUV-specific work permit can apply for extensions. These applications will also receive higher processing priority, provided they fall within the country’s annual immigration targets. The changes reflect Canada’s effort to fast-track permanent residency for entrepreneurs who are already contributing to the national economy.
For new applicants, the deadline is clear: fresh Start-Up Visa applications will not be accepted after December 31, 2025. However, entrepreneurs who receive a commitment certificate from a designated organization before the end of 2025, but have not yet submitted their application, will still be able to apply. Beyond this exception, the program will effectively close.
IRCC has also maintained the suspension of the Self-Employed Persons Program, meaning no new applications will be accepted under that stream. These updates align with Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which seeks to balance temporary resident numbers while creating more predictable and sustainable pathways to permanent residency. Officials note that the existing SUV program had become difficult to manage, with long processing times and inconsistent outcomes.
Alternative Options for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Despite the pause, foreign entrepreneurs still have other avenues to enter Canada. Several provinces continue to offer entrepreneur streams under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), typically requiring founders to invest in, operate, or acquire local businesses. Other options include intra-company transfers for those expanding their existing businesses into Canada or work permits tied to specific job offers, such as through the Global Talent Stream. Some entrepreneurs also use educational programs as a pathway toward permanent residency.
Broader Context of Immigration Tightening
The SUV pause comes amid broader efforts to tighten immigration and temporary residency controls. Ottawa had previously announced reductions in study permit allocations for 2026, introducing provincial and territorial quotas to better manage application volumes.
The international student cap, first introduced in 2024, has reduced study permit holders from over one million in January 2024 to around 725,000 by September 2025. Meanwhile, the Canadian government has increased financial requirements for skilled migrants. Applicants under the Express Entry system’s Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program must now show at least CAD 15,263 in settlement funds as of July 7, 2025 an increase of more than CAD 500 highlighting a continued move toward more selective immigration pathways.
