The Start-up Visa (SUV) was a permanent residence route for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas backed by a designated organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator). The program is now paused.
Key milestones according to IRCC
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2025 | No new SUV optional work permit applications, except extensions for people in Canada. Priority PR processing for people in Canada with an SUV work permit |
| December 31, 2025 | No new SUV applications, except from holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate. Designated organizations could not issue commitments after this date |
| January 1, 2026 | New ministerial instructions pause SUV intake |
| June 30, 2026 | Final deadline for 2025 commitment holders; after this date the SUV is fully paused |
IRCC is not designating new organizations and continues to process applications received before these dates.
What it means
- New SUV applications are not possible.
- Commitment certificates issued after December 31, 2025 have no value for the SUV.
- Anyone selling "SUV slots" or "commitment letters" now is giving false information.
If you already applied
- Applications already received continue under current instructions.
- People in Canada with an SUV work permit may be able to extend it while waiting for PR, under IRCC's conditions.
- Track your application in your IRCC account.
What replaces it
IRCC says these measures lay the foundation for a move to a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs. See "IRCC's new entrepreneur program".
Note This article reflects IRCC's pages checked on October 19, 2026. Always check the official page, as program status can change.
Business immigration today
The Self-Employed Persons Program is paused
IRCC's new entrepreneur program