Start-up Visa Program
Federal PR route for entrepreneurs backed by a designated Canadian organization (venture capital fund, angel group or business incubator). It is not accepting new applications as of 2026-10-01; already-filed applications continue to be processed and the backlog is very long.
Who it suits
- People who already filed an SUV application (with a 2025 commitment certificate) and are waiting
- Not available to new applicants; founders should watch for the announced replacement pilot or look at provincial entrepreneur streams
Requirements
- StatusNotice of 2025-12-19: new SUV applications not accepted after 11:59 p.m. on 2025-12-31 unless the applicant has a valid commitment from a designated organization made in 2025; new SUV open work permit applications stopped on 2025-12-19 (extensions for people already in Canada still allowed). The IRCC program page states the program was paused on 2026-06-30 and that it is not currently accepting new applications. ↗ canada.ca
- BusinessQualifying business: each applicant holds 10% or more of voting rights and the applicants plus the designated organization together hold more than 50%; incorporated in Canada with active, ongoing management from Canada. ↗ canada.ca
- CommitmentCommitment certificate and letter of support from a designated organization. Each organization may support no more than 10 start-ups a year (cap introduced 2024-04-30). ↗ canada.ca
- LanguageCLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities in English or French. ↗ canada.ca
- Settlement fundsSettlement funds CAD 15,263 for 1 person (higher for larger families, rising by family size); funds cannot be borrowed. ↗ canada.ca
How candidates are selected
Not points-based. A designated organization must back the business, then IRCC assesses the PR application. Intake is now closed, so no selection is happening for new applicants.
Location requirement: business must be run from Canada; must live outside Quebec
Processing: IRCC forward-looking estimate (updated 2026-09-03): more than 10 years, about 47,500 people waiting.
Related pathways
Atlantic Immigration Program
ClosedHome Care Worker Immigration Pilots (Child Care and Home Support)
ClosedAgriculture and agri-food occupations category
Limited intakeEducation occupations category
OpenHealthcare and social services occupations category
Limited intakeScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category
Official sources
- canada.caProgram pageChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caAbout / eligibilityChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caEligibilityChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caOptional open work permitChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caNotice: Update on immigration measures for entrepreneursChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.ca2024 changes (10-per-organization cap)Checked 2026-10-01
- canada.caIRCC forward-looking processing timesChecked 2026-10-01
- canada.caIRCC economic immigration briefingChecked 2026-10-01
Program rules change often. This page summarizes the official pages listed above; the official page always takes precedence.