Do not rely on older business-program advertising
Both federal business programs are listed by IRCC as paused. The Start-up Visa (SUV) closed to new applications on June 30, 2026, after a final window for applicants who held a commitment made in 2025. The Self-Employed Persons Program has not accepted applications since April 30, 2024, and its pause was extended "until further notice" in December 2025.
In the same December 19, 2025 notice, IRCC said these measures would prepare the ground for a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs, with more information to come in 2026. As of October 18, 2026, no such pilot has been published on canada.ca. Do not prepare a file for it until IRCC publishes its rules.
Key dates
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2024 | IRCC stopped accepting applications for the federal Self-Employed Persons Program. |
| December 19, 2025 | IRCC stopped accepting new applications for the optional Start-up Visa open work permit, except extensions for people already in Canada with an SUV work permit. The Self-Employed pause was extended until further notice. |
| December 31, 2025 | Last day designated organizations could submit commitment certificates. New SUV applications stopped at 11:59 p.m., except for applicants holding a valid commitment made in 2025. |
| June 30, 2026 | Deadline for applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate. From this date the Start-up Visa is paused and closed to all other applications. |
Start-up Visa: what remains
Applications already accepted
IRCC continues to process SUV applications received before June 30, 2026. IRCC said it would prioritize permanent-residence applications from people in Canada holding an SUV work permit, as levels-plan targets allow.
Work permits
New applications for the optional SUV open work permit have been closed since December 19, 2025. A person who already holds one may be able to extend it while the permanent-residence application is processed.
Designated organizations
IRCC is not designating new organizations, and organizations can no longer issue commitment certificates.
Letters obtained now
A letter of support or commitment obtained after the cut-off does not create a right to apply.
If you already have a Start-up Visa file
IRCC continues to process files received before June 30, 2026. The figures below are the ones IRCC publishes for the program. IRCC last updated the settlement-fund amounts on July 29, 2025, so confirm them on IRCC's page for your file.
| Item | Requirement or fee |
|---|---|
| Language | CLB 5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing, in English or French, shown by an approved language test. |
| Ownership | Each applicant holds at least 10% of the voting rights, and the applicants and the designated organization together hold more than 50%. After approval the business must be incorporated in Canada, actively managed from Canada and carry out an essential part of its operations in Canada. |
| Group applications | Up to 5 owners can apply as a group. Since April 1, 2024, IRCC considers only 10 complete group applications per designated organization each year. |
| Settlement funds | 1 person $15,263; 2 people $19,001; 3 people $23,360; 4 people $28,362; 5 people $32,168; 6 people $36,280; 7 people $40,392; add $4,112 for each additional family member. The funds cannot be borrowed from another person. |
| Government fees | For applications received on or after April 30, 2026: principal applicant $1,895 plus the $600 right of permanent residence fee ($2,495 in total); spouse or partner $990 plus $600 ($1,590); each dependent child $270. Biometrics are $85 per person, to a maximum of $170 per family. The $600 fee is paid at approval and refunded if the application is withdrawn or refused. Dependent children do not pay it. Before April 30, 2026 the principal applicant's processing fee was $1,810. |
Self-Employed Persons Program
The federal program was for people with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who would make a significant contribution to Canada's cultural or athletic life. It is paused: IRCC stopped accepting applications on April 30, 2024 and has given no reopening date. It is separate from Quebec's self-employed worker program, which follows Quebec's own rules.
Business routes that still exist
Quebec business immigration
Quebec selects investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers through its own programs. A Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is needed before the federal permanent-residence application. See Quebec business immigration.
Provincial entrepreneur streams
Several provinces and territories run business streams with their own expression of interest, investment, business-operation and nomination rules. See provincial entrepreneur programs and compare the streams.
Before considering a business pathway
- The current intake status and the correct federal, Quebec or provincial program
- Business ownership, senior management or self-employment experience
- Lawful net worth and evidence of the source of funds
- The required investment, active management and any community or organization support
- Language, education, settlement and performance-agreement requirements
What prospective applicants should do
- Check the live statusDo not use old Start-up Visa or Self-Employed checklists while both programs are paused.
- Separate federal and provincial routesDecide whether Quebec or a provincial entrepreneur stream is a realistic current alternative.
- Review your business evidenceAssess ownership, management, source of funds and the proposed business against the selected program.
- Wait for official rulesA future entrepreneur pilot may use new criteria. Prepare only against rules IRCC has published.
Important points
- Designated-organization support never guaranteed approval of a Start-up Visa file.
- A paused program is not the same as a refused or cancelled application already in processing.
- Business immigration advertising should name the exact open program, jurisdiction and status.
- No consultant, incubator or organization can sell a guaranteed place in a federal business program.
Official sources
- IRCC: Start-up Visa Program
- IRCC: Start-up Visa, who can apply (language, ownership and settlement funds)
- IRCC: Fee list
- IRCC: Fee changes (permanent residence fees from April 30, 2026)
- IRCC: Start-up Visa, designated organizations
- IRCC: Start-up Visa work permits
- IRCC notice: Update on immigration measures for entrepreneurs (December 19, 2025)
- IRCC: Self-Employed Persons Program
- IRCC: Self-Employed Persons, how to apply (pause since April 30, 2024)
- IRCC: Quebec investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.