For years, the Start-up Visa was the federal answer for founders who wanted to build a company in Canada. That answer no longer exists for new applicants, and the program that is supposed to replace it has not arrived. If you are an entrepreneur with Canadian plans, the options have shifted, mostly toward the provinces.
What changed
On December 19, 2025, IRCC announced a reset of its federal business programs:
- It stopped accepting applications for the optional Start-up Visa work permit, except extensions for people already in Canada on one.
- It stopped accepting new Start-up Visa permanent residence applications after December 31, 2025. The only exception was for applicants who already held a valid 2025 commitment from a designated organization, who had until mid-2026 to file.
- It extended the pause on the Self-Employed Persons Program, which has been closed to new applications since April 2024, until further notice.
IRCC said the measures would help it work through a large inventory of business applications and lay the foundation for a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs, with details to come in 2026.
If you already applied
Pending Start-up Visa applications are still being processed. IRCC has said it is prioritizing the permanent residence applications of people already in Canada on Start-up Visa work permits, within the limits of the Levels Plan.
Two things matter while you wait:
- Keep your status valid. Start-up Visa work permit holders in Canada can still extend their permits.
- Keep the business real. The commitment from your designated organization and the progress of the business remain relevant to the decision.
Processing times for the federal business programs are among the longest of any category. Our post on the levels-plan waitlist explains why, and when a delay may become one the Federal Court will act on.
What we know about the new pilot
Not much, and that is the honest answer. IRCC has described it as a high-impact pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs. The Levels Plan sets aside a small number of federal business admissions each year, and IRCC has signalled a preference for founders already in Canada on work permits. No eligibility criteria, investment thresholds, intake caps or launch date have been published. Anyone claiming to know the requirements is guessing.
We will update this post when the pilot is announced.
The routes that are open now
Provincial entrepreneur streams. Most provinces run entrepreneur programs that lead to permanent residence through a nomination. They typically require a minimum net worth, a minimum investment, active management, and a performance agreement. Many allow you to buy an existing business. Our posts on how entrepreneur PNP streams work and buying an existing business or starting one explain the process, and our business immigration guides summarize the streams province by province.
Owner-operator and intra-company transfer work permits. Founders who want to establish or expand a business in Canada can sometimes qualify for a work permit without an LMIA, which builds the Canadian experience that other programs reward. Our post on owner-operator and intra-company transfer permits explains the categories.
Express Entry. Founders with strong language scores and skilled experience may qualify through the general system. Self-employment generally does not count as work experience for Express Entry, so this route depends on your employment history.
A word about the Self-Employed program
The Self-Employed Persons Program served athletes, artists and cultural workers. It has been paused since April 2024 with no reopening date. People who would have used it should look at provincial options and at whether their work history supports a skilled-worker application.
How we can help
At Kabir & Alam, we help entrepreneurs with pending federal applications, assess provincial options, and plan work permit routes that keep a business moving while permanent residence is pursued. Read more about our business immigration practice or book a consultation with us.
This post is general information about Canadian immigration law and is not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak with a lawyer about your situation before making decisions.