Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal situation is unique — consult a licensed lawyer before making any legal decisions.

Quick Answer: Is the Canada Start-Up Visa Program Closed?

Everything Changed in December 2025 — Here Is What Ontario Entrepreneurs Need to Know

If you built your Canadian immigration plan around the Start-Up Visa program, you need to know exactly where things stand. In December 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — the federal department that manages Canada's immigration programs — made a series of announcements that closed the door on new applications. The changes were significant, and the headlines that followed were not always precise about what they mean in practice.

This article covers exactly what changed, who is still eligible, what the key deadlines are, and which pathways may remain open for entrepreneurs who want to build their business in Canada. It draws directly on IRCC's published guidance and reflects the rules as of the date of publication.

For a full overview of immigration law services available to Ontario residents, visit Nihang Law's immigration page. Whether you have an existing application in process or are starting your research fresh, the sections below are organized to help you find your situation quickly.

Find Your Situation: Which Category Describes You?

The rules that apply to you under the current SUV framework depend entirely on where you are in the process. Before reading further, find the scenario below that matches your situation.

Individual circumstances vary and one situation can overlap with another. If you are unsure which path applies, reviewing your Canadian work permit status or speaking with an immigration lawyer are good first steps.

What IRCC Actually Changed — And When

The changes to the Start-Up Visa program came in stages. Here is the sequence, in plain chronological order.

December 19, 2025: IRCC stopped accepting new applications for the optional work permit previously available to SUV applicants. This permit allowed founders to come to Canada and begin operations while their permanent residence application was processed. The one exception: entrepreneurs already in Canada on an existing SUV work permit may apply to extend that permit.

December 31, 2025: IRCC stopped accepting new permanent residence applications under the SUV program. This is also the final date on which designated organizations — the approved venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators that supported SUV applicants — could issue new commitment certificates.

January 1, 2026: No new commitment certificates may be issued by any designated organization, regardless of remaining quota or program capacity.

June 30, 2026: The final deadline for applicants who hold a valid 2025 commitment certificate to submit their complete permanent residence application to IRCC. This is a firm deadline.

2026 (date to be confirmed): IRCC has announced plans for a new entrepreneur pilot program. Details had not been released as of the date of this article.

These changes align with Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which reduced federal business immigration admission targets by approximately 50% — from roughly 1,000 to just 500 principal applicants per year. The SUV program had also accumulated a significant backlog of more than 42,000 files, contributing to processing times that had stretched well beyond 40 months.

Why Ontario Entrepreneurs Face a Unique Challenge in 2026

This is what immigration practitioners are increasingly calling the “Ontario double gap.” Most provinces still operate entrepreneur nomination streams through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — provincial government programs that allow provinces to recommend foreign nationals for permanent residence based on their ability to contribute economically. Ontario’s equivalent stream, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream, was suspended in 2023 and remains unavailable to new applicants as of this article’s date.

The result is straightforward but significant: an entrepreneur based in Toronto or Scarborough cannot access a local provincial entrepreneur stream, and the federal program that previously filled that role has also closed. No other province faces this exact combination simultaneously.

This situation may change. IRCC and the Province of Ontario are both consulting on program reforms, and new streams are possible in the future. However, as of the date of this article, no confirmed reopening timelines had been announced for either program. Any immigration planning should be based on what is currently available, not on anticipated program launches.

Your Step-by-Step Roadmap Based on Your Situation

Path A — You Have a Valid 2025 Commitment Certificate

1. 1
   Confirm your certificate’s validity. Verify that your commitment certificate was issued by a designated organization on or before December 31, 2025. Certificates dated after this date are not valid for SUV permanent residence purposes.
2. 2
   Gather your permanent residence documents. Required materials typically include language test results (minimum CLB 5 in English or French), proof of settlement funds — currently a minimum of CAD $15,263 for a single applicant, though applicants should verify current amounts directly on the IRCC website — a business plan, and other supporting materials as required.
3. 3
   File your complete PR application before June 30, 2026. Submit through IRCC’s online portal. This deadline is firm and is not expected to be extended.
4. 4
   Handle any required certificate amendments promptly. Existing commitment certificates may be amended, but no new certificates can be issued. If your certificate requires a change, work with your designated organization without delay.
5. 5
   Consult a lawyer if anything is unclear. If there is any doubt about your certificate’s validity, your eligibility, or your file’s completeness, consult a licensed immigration lawyer before filing rather than after.

Path B — You Are Already in Canada on an SUV Work Permit

1. 1
   Check the status of your permanent residence application. Log into your MyCIC (IRCC online account) or review your IRCC correspondence to confirm your application is active and in queue.
2. 2
   Check your work permit expiry date. If your permit may expire before your PR application is decided, apply for a work permit extension. IRCC has confirmed that extensions remain available for entrepreneurs in this situation.
3. 3
   Note the prioritization policy. IRCC has stated it will prioritize the PR applications of in-Canada SUV work permit holders as the 2026 Levels Plan targets allow. Being physically present in Canada on an active permit may work in your favour.
4. 4
   Monitor Bill C-12 developments. Proposed legislation may affect some pending files (see the Bill C-12 section below). Anyone whose file may not meet current prioritization criteria may wish to seek advice about options, including a possible judicial review of an IRCC refusal.

Path C — You Are a New Applicant With No Existing SUV File

1. 1
   Understand what is closed. The SUV program, as it previously existed, is closed to new applicants as of January 1, 2026. No new applications are being accepted.
2. 2
   Review the C-11 entrepreneur work permit. This federal option may allow you to come to Canada and establish your business, with a potential pathway to permanent residence later (see the next section).
3. 3
   Research out-of-province PNP entrepreneur streams. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia are among the provinces with active entrepreneur streams in 2026. These programs have different eligibility thresholds — assess whether any matches your net worth, investment capacity, and business profile.
4. 4
   Monitor IRCC for the new entrepreneur pilot. Details of the replacement program are expected in 2026. Monitor ircc.gc.ca for announcements.
5. 5
   Consult an immigration lawyer. Eligibility requirements and timelines vary significantly across programs. A licensed lawyer can help map your individual profile against what is currently available.

Two Pathways Ontario Founders Should Know About Right Now

The C-11 Entrepreneur Work Permit — Come to Canada and Build First

The C-11 entrepreneur work permit is an option that has become significantly more relevant following the SUV closure. Under Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) — a federal framework that permits certain foreign workers to come to Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — the C-11 category is designed for entrepreneurs whose presence in Canada will provide a significant economic benefit to the country.

To qualify, an applicant typically needs to demonstrate that their business will generate meaningful economic activity in Canada: hiring local staff, attracting investment, producing goods or services for export, or contributing to a sector of strategic importance. The C-11 permit does not itself lead directly to permanent residence, but it may allow a founder to establish their business in Canada and later transition to PR through a provincial nominee program or the forthcoming federal entrepreneur pilot.

Eligibility thresholds and processing times apply and vary by circumstance. For current information on Canadian work permit options including the C-11 stream, visit Nihang Law’s work permits page.

Out-of-Province PNP Streams — A Strategic Bridge for GTA Entrepreneurs

Several provinces operate entrepreneur nominee streams that remain open to new applicants in 2026, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia. These programs typically require applicants to meet minimum net-worth thresholds, make an investment in a business in that province, and operate the business for a specified performance period before receiving a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

Here is the strategic point that many GTA founders may not be aware of: once an applicant receives a provincial nomination and obtains permanent residence through any provincial program, they are free to relocate anywhere in Canada — including Toronto, Scarborough, or anywhere else in Ontario. Permanent residence is a federal status; it is not restricted to the nominating province.

This means an entrepreneur could strategically establish their business in an active province, satisfy that province’s performance period requirements, obtain permanent residence, and then move to Ontario. It is a longer path than the SUV once offered, but it may be a viable one depending on an individual’s circumstances. Specific net-worth and investment thresholds vary and change frequently — consult IRCC and the relevant provincial websites directly for current figures.

What Is Bill C-12 and Should Existing Applicants Be Concerned?

To understand the significance, it helps to know about Ministerial Instructions — a regulatory tool IRCC uses to set processing priorities. In April 2024, IRCC issued a set of instructions known as MI72 that established a prioritization framework for existing SUV applications. Under MI72, applicants who are physically in Canada, hold an active SUV work permit, and are operating a functioning business are considered higher priority for processing.

Files that do not meet these criteria — particularly older files from applicants not yet in Canada or not operating a qualifying business — may face greater exposure if Bill C-12 passes. The legislation has been described as a tool to help IRCC clear the existing backlog of more than 42,000 business immigration files more efficiently.

No applications have been cancelled under Bill C-12 as of this article’s publication date. However, the situation warrants close monitoring. If your pending SUV file may not satisfy the MI72 prioritization criteria, a conversation with Qasim Ali, Principal Lawyer at Nihang Law, about your options — including whether a judicial review of an IRCC decision may be relevant — is worthwhile before the legislation advances further.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After the Start-Up Visa Shutdown

If you have any connection to the SUV program — as a current applicant, an in-Canada permit holder, or a founder exploring your next steps — these are the mistakes most worth avoiding.

• 1
  Assuming all SUV files are automatically cancelledExisting applications are still being processed by IRCC. The closure applies to new applications only. Do not abandon a pending file without first obtaining legal advice.
• 2
  Missing the June 30, 2026 grace-period deadlineApplicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate have one remaining window to file their permanent residence application. This deadline is firm and is not expected to be extended under any circumstances.
• 3
  Waiting for the new entrepreneur pilot before taking any actionAs of this article’s date, IRCC had not released details of the replacement program. Delaying all planning while waiting may cost months of valuable preparation time for alternative pathways that are open right now.
• 4
  Assuming Ontario’s provincial entrepreneur stream will reopen soonThe OINP Entrepreneur Stream has been suspended since 2023 and has no confirmed reopening date. An immigration plan that depends on its imminent return may not be a reliable one.
• 5
  Letting an SUV work permit expire without applying for an extensionIn-Canada SUV work permit holders can apply for extensions while their PR application is pending. Allowing a permit to lapse may complicate both the PR application and the applicant’s legal status in Canada.
• 6
  Using an out-of-date designated organization listAs of January 1, 2026, designated organizations can no longer issue new commitment certificates. Any certificate dated after December 31, 2025 is not a valid basis for a new SUV application.
• 7
  Navigating these changes without legal adviceThe SUV shutdown involves overlapping rules, firm deadlines, and legislative risks that interact differently depending on an individual’s situation. The cost of an error — a missed deadline, an invalid filing, an exposed application — can be significant and in some cases irreversible.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Canada Start-Up Visa Closure

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal situation is unique — consult a licensed lawyer before making any legal decisions. Immigration programs and eligibility requirements are subject to change; always verify current rules on the IRCC website. Nihang Law Professional Corporation is regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.

About the author

Qasim Ali

Principal Lawyer · Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Toronto & Scarborough, Ontario · Law Society of Ontario

Qasim Ali is the Principal Lawyer at Nihang Law Professional Corporation, serving clients across Toronto, Scarborough, and the broader Greater Toronto Area. He provides full-service legal representation across immigration, real estate, family law, criminal law, civil litigation, employment law, wills and estates, and business law.

Nihang Law is particularly recognized for its depth in immigration and real estate law — a combination that serves newcomers and growing families navigating both legal systems simultaneously.

Learn more about Qasim Ali →

Sources & References

• Canada.ca — Start-up Visa Program (updated December 2025)
• Canada.ca — IRCC Update on Immigration Measures for Entrepreneurs (Dec 19, 2025)
• Canada.ca — Check Immigration Application Processing Times
• Canada.ca — How the Provincial Nominee Program Works
• Open Canada — IRCC Permanent Residents Data by Category (FOSS)
• nihanglaw.ca/immigration/
• nihanglaw.ca/work-permits/
• nihanglaw.ca/judicial-reviews-and-refusals/