Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is putting the brakes on some of its business programs to set the foundation for a new pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
On December 19, 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.<\/p>\n
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm<\/a><\/p>\n Moreover, effective December 31, 11.59 pm, IRCC will also stop accepting new SUV applications.<\/p>\n An exception will be made for applicants who have already gotten a valid commitment from a designated organization that was made in 2025, but haven\u2019t yet applied. Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate must apply by June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n 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 April 30, 2024.<\/p>\n Launch of a new pilot<\/p>\n The federal government has stated these changes are in place for the \u201ctransition to a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n Details about this new pilot program will be announced in 2026.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s SUV Program came under fire in 2025 for its long processing times.<\/p>\n According to a new tool, launched earlier this year, that calculates processing time<\/a>, entrepreneurs had to face a ten-year wait to become permanent residents of Canada through the SUV program.<\/p>\n According to the government, the measures announced today were in part to \u201chelp address the large inventory of applications for Canada\u2019s business programs.\u201d<\/p>\n The government also announced that these measures support the country’s Talent Attraction Strategy, announced in the latest Immigration Levels Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n