Business Immigration and Start-Up Visa Updates

Canada’s business immigration options can change significantly over time. Before investing in a business, entering an agreement with an organization or preparing an immigration application, it is important to confirm that the immigration pathway being considered is currently available and appropriate for your circumstances.

Anka Canada Immigration Consulting provides business immigration assessments for entrepreneurs and business owners, including reviews of existing Start-Up Visa matters and guidance on current federal and non-Quebec business immigration options.

Services are provided by Volkan Sacilik, RCIC-IRB, CICC Licence No. R1042981.

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Is the Start-Up Visa Program Still Open?

The Start-Up Visa Program is currently paused and is not accepting new permanent residence applications.

IRCC stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025. Applicants who already had a qualifying 2025 commitment certificate had until June 30, 2026 to submit their permanent residence application. Applications accepted before the deadline continue to be processed.

This means that someone considering business immigration today should not assume that obtaining support from an incubator or other organization will create a new Start-Up Visa application pathway.

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What Happens to Existing Start-Up Visa Applications?

Applications submitted before the program closed continue to be processed by IRCC.

Existing applicants may still need assistance with matters such as:

• reviewing the status and consistency of the pending application;

• responding to IRCC requests;

• changes in family or personal circumstances;

• maintaining temporary status in Canada;

• understanding work permit options that may remain available.

The former optional Start-Up Visa open work permit is also closed to new applicants. Certain people who already hold an SUV-specific work permit may still qualify to extend it while their permanent residence application remains in process.

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What Does a Business Immigration Assessment Consider?

A business immigration assessment starts with the entrepreneur rather than with a particular program.

Relevant factors may include:

• business ownership and management experience;

• the proposed business activity in Canada;

• available investment and settlement funds;

• language ability;

• intended province or territory;

• current Canadian immigration status, if applicable;

• family circumstances and longer-term immigration objectives.

The purpose is to determine whether there is a currently available immigration pathway worth examining further, rather than fitting a business plan into a program that may no longer accept applications.

 

Why Program Availability Should Be Checked First

Business immigration often involves significant financial commitments.

Before paying third parties, entering business arrangements or making investment decisions based on an immigration plan, applicants should confirm the current immigration rules and whether the proposed pathway is actually open.

Canada announced that the Start-Up Visa changes were intended to support a transition toward a new targeted entrepreneur pilot, but applicants should rely on programs and eligibility rules that have actually been formally introduced rather than assuming that a future program will become available.

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How Anka Canada Immigration Consulting Can Assist

Anka can review your business and immigration objectives, examine your existing Canadian immigration history and assess whether a current non-Quebec business immigration option may warrant further consideration.

For clients with an existing Start-Up Visa application, assistance may also include reviewing the pending file, assessing temporary-status considerations and responding to immigration developments within the agreed retainer.

The objective is to help ensure that business and financial decisions are not being made on the basis of an immigration program that is closed, outdated or unsuitable for the applicant’s circumstances.

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Important Information

Business immigration programs can change, pause or close with limited notice. Eligibility must be assessed using the rules and programs in force at the relevant time. Anka Canada Immigration Consulting does not provide services for Quebec immigration programs. Information on this page is general and does not guarantee any immigration outcome.