The Canadian government has officially stopped accepting new applications for the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program. However, this move marks a transition to a more selective system rather than an end to entrepreneur immigration.
In December 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the abrupt closure of the Start-Up Visa (SUV) intake. While the news surprised many, the program had been struggling with a massive backlog of over 43,000 pending cases and processing times exceeding ten years.
Originally designed to grant permanent residency (PR) in six months, the SUV model faced structural challenges that led to its current “sabbatical.”
Why the SUV Program Was Paused
The SUV was highly popular because it offered permanent residency before the business proved its success. However, this “PR-first” model led to an unmanageable surge in applications—up over 600% by 2023.
The pause allows Ottawa to fix design flaws. Moving forward, the government is signaling a shift toward “execution-first” immigration, where entrepreneurs must prove their business is actively operating before securing permanent status.
Current Pathways for Business Immigrants
Canada is not closing its doors. Instead, it is redirecting applicants toward pathways that require more active participation:
- The C-11 Entrepreneur Work Permit This is currently the most significant option under the International Mobility Program. It follows an “establish first, immigrate later” structure:
- Entry: Apply for a work permit based on a business plan that offers significant economic benefit to Canada.
- Operation: Enter Canada to start or acquire the business.
- Transition: Apply for permanent residency after the business is operational.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) With the federal SUV on hold, provinces are taking center stage. Most provinces (except Ontario, which is currently redesigning its system) offer entrepreneur streams. These programs nominate candidates for PR only after they meet specific business performance requirements and create local jobs.
What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
The Canadian government’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan still allocates space for business immigration, indicating that a new federal pilot program is likely in development.
The “next generation” of Canadian entrepreneur immigration will likely be:
- More Selective: Focusing on genuine founders rather than passive investors.
- Performance-Driven: Requiring proof of active operations.
- Faster for Success: Smaller backlogs could mean much faster processing for high-quality applicants.
For entrepreneurs willing to actively manage a business in Canada, the doors remain open—the rules have simply changed to prioritize results over plans.
