OTTAWA, ON – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a major restructuring of its business immigration streams, headlined by the upcoming closure of the popular Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program to new applicants.
The changes, effective immediately, are part of the federal government’s broader 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to stabilize immigration levels and prioritize transitioning temporary residents to permanent status.
Immediate Restrictions on SUV Work Permits
Effective December 19, 2025, IRCC is no longer accepting applications for the optional work permit previously available to SUV applicants.
The only exceptions to this new rule are:
- Extensions: Individuals already in Canada who are applying to extend their current SUV-specific work permit.
- Prioritization: IRCC will prioritize permanent residence applications from those already in Canada holding an SUV work permit, as Levels Plan targets allow.
The Countdown to SUV Program Closure
The most significant shift occurs at the end of the year. Effective December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., IRCC will stop accepting new SUV Program applications.
A limited exemption exists for entrepreneurs who have a valid commitment from a designated organization made in 2025 but have not yet submitted their application. Following this deadline, the program will remain closed as the government addresses the current large inventory of applications.
Additionally, the existing pause on the Self-Employed Persons Program has been extended until further notice.
Looking Ahead – 2026 Targeted Pilot Program
These restrictive measures are designed to set the foundation for a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs. IRCC indicates that the new program will be better aligned with Canada’s Talent Attraction Strategy.
Further details regarding the criteria and launch of this new entrepreneur pilot are expected to be communicated in 2026. Until then, prospective business immigrants are faced with a significantly narrowed pathway as the federal government pivots toward a more controlled and permanent-resident-focused immigration model.
