Canada has suspended the entrepreneur-focused Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program and the Self-Employed Persons Program as part of a review of business immigration pathways.
On 19 December 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) the department announced that it will no longer accept applications for the optional work permit available to Start-Up.
Visa (SUV) applicants, except for those already in Canada applying to extend their current SUV work permit. Effective 11:59pm on 31 December 2025, IRCC also stopped accepting new SUV applications.
Exceptions are being made for applicants who have already got a valid commitment from a designated organization that was made in 2025, but haven’t yet applied. Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate must apply by 30 June 2026.
IRCC will also extend the current pause on accepting applications through the Self-Employed Persons Program until further notice. This program has been paused since 30 April 2024.
Read the IRCC Announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/immigration-measures-entrepreneurs.html
Launch of New Pilot
The federal government has stated these changes are in place for the “transition to a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs.”
The pause in existing entrepreneur-focused business immigration pathways is to allow the Canadian government to assess program outcomes and design a new pilot that better aligns with economic priorities and integrity objectives. The new pilot is expected to place greater emphasis on innovation, scalability, and active business involvement.
Details about this new pilot program will be announced in 2026.
Canada’s SUV Program came under fire in 2025 for its long processing times.
According to a new tool, launched earlier this year, that calculates processing time, entrepreneurs had to face a ten-year wait to become permanent residents of Canada through the SUV program.
Isaford Immigration is monitoring these developments closely and will provide details of the new pilot program when details are released.
Existing Provincial Entrepreneur Programs
In the meantime, Isaford Immigration continues to offer both the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme (FGES) for Alberta province as well as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for multiple provinces across Canada.
If you are interested in applying for existing programs, please contact Isaford Immigration for more information and a free consultation.
