What happened?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stopped accepting new commitment certificates from designated organisations and paused the Start-up Visa (SUV) programme after 30 June 2026. It is not accepting new permanent residence applications.
Applications already filed
Permanent residence applications filed before the deadline continue to be processed. Processing may take longer, so applicants should keep their contact details, documents and business status up to date and answer any requests from IRCC.
Applicants with work permits
Some applicants are running their businesses in Canada on an SUV-based work permit. They should watch their permit’s expiry date and apply for an extension early, if eligible.
What comes next
IRCC says it will launch a new, targeted pilot programme for immigrant entrepreneurs, with more information in 2026. We will let you know as soon as it opens.
SUV at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment | No investment requirement |
| Previously, PR in | About 18 months |
| Language | IELTS 5 |
| Status | Paused; new pilot to be announced |
SUV application process and timing
- Assessment and business direction (1–2 weeks): We choose a business direction that suits your background.
- Business plan and prototype (1–3 months): We write the business plan and pitch deck, and our in-house developers build a website or app prototype.
- Incubator and letter of support (Per the incubator’s timeline): Join a designated incubator and obtain the letter of support — with a full refund if it cannot be obtained.
- Permanent residence application (Previously about 18 months): File the permanent residence application with the letter of support; applicants already in Canada on an SUV work permit are now processed first.
Main SUV requirements
- A qualifying new business
- A letter of support from a Canadian government-designated incubator
- Language at IELTS 5
- Sufficient settlement funds: CAD 15,263 for a single applicant, CAD 28,362 for a family of four (based on family size)
- A police certificate and medical examination before immigrating
Next step
Every family’s background, funds and timeline are different. Global Immigrate’s professional consultants can assess, free of charge, whether this programme suits you. You can also request the full programme brochure on the programme page.
Learn more: Canada Federal Start-up Visa (SUV)