Start-up Visa
The Start-up Visa targeted immigrant entrepreneurs building, outside Quebec, businesses that are innovative, able to create jobs for Canadians and able to compete globally. According to IRCC, the program is currently paused.
Program paused: closed to new applications
According to the official IRCC page (updated July 21, 2026), the Start-up Visa is "paused". To apply, you needed a valid 2025 commitment certificate and had to submit the application before June 30, 2026; the program is closed to all other applications. Support from designated organizations for new start-ups is also paused.
Main conditions
- ✓First check the program's status: it is paused and closed to almost all new applications
- ✓Have an innovative business project that creates jobs for Canadians and is globally competitive, established outside Quebec
- ✓Have obtained support from a designated organization (applying required a valid 2025 commitment certificate, with a deadline of June 30, 2026)
- ✓Holders of a Start-up Visa work permit: only the extension of that permit is possible
Countries of origin
Open to candidates from most countries, unless otherwise stated or subject to specific consular restrictions.
Understanding the program
Where does the program stand?
The official status of the program is "paused". The only people who could still apply were those holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate, with a deadline of June 30, 2026. As that date has passed, the program is closed to all other applications.
Work permit extension linked to the program is closed to new applicants: it is only for people who already hold a Start-up Visa work permit and want to extend it while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Who was the program for?
The Start-up Visa targeted immigrant entrepreneurs building, outside Quebec, businesses that are innovative, able to create jobs for Canadians and able to compete globally. Quebec has its own business immigration programs.
Designated organizations (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, incubators) were responsible for finding the entrepreneurs they wanted to support, and set their own proposal process and criteria.
Alternatives for entrepreneurs
Several provinces have their own entrepreneur streams. Alberta has four (Rural Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, Farm and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur) and British Columbia has the Entrepreneur Immigration category. In Ontario, the official page states that all streams other than Ontario Workforce Priority are closed.
Each of these streams has its own investment, management and experience requirements. Opening a business does not, by itself, give any right to permanent residence.
How to follow the program's evolution
The official IRCC page is the only reliable source to know whether the program reopens and under what conditions. Be wary of "guaranteed visa" offers, sold support letters and promises of imminent reopening: none of these claims replaces an official notice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I still apply for the Start-up Visa?
- According to the official page (July 21, 2026), you needed a valid 2025 commitment certificate and had to apply before June 30, 2026. As that date has passed, the program is closed to other applications. Check the official page for any update.
- What happens to an existing work permit?
- Extension remains possible only for people who already hold a Start-up Visa work permit, while their permanent residence application is processed.
- Does the program apply to Quebec?
- No. The business must be established outside Quebec, which has its own business immigration programs.
Information checked against official pages on October 12, 2026.