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2026 overview

Federal business immigration is changing: the Start-up Visa has stopped accepting new applications, the self-employed program is paused, and IRCC has announced a new pilot. This section summarizes the situation from official sources.

4 articles

  1. Business immigration todayCanadian business immigration in October 2026: Start-up Visa closed to new files, Self-Employed paused, a new pilot promised. PNPs are the main route.Updated October 2026
  2. The Start-up Visa has closed: what it meansThe Start-up Visa stopped taking new files: the key dates in December 2025 and June 2026, who is still processed and what applicants should do.Updated October 2026
  3. The Self-Employed Persons Program is pausedThe Self-Employed Persons Program (cultural and athletic activities) stopped taking applications on April 30, 2024; the pause continues.Updated October 2026
  4. IRCC's new entrepreneur programIRCC announced (December 19, 2025) a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs, with details due in 2026. What is known and what isn't.Updated October 2026
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