December 19th, 2025 –  Canada’s business immigration framework is entering a transitional phase, following recent announcements by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the management of existing business programs and application volumes.

IRCC has begun winding down certain options that were previously available under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program. The open work permit pathway that allowed many SUV applicants to relocate to Canada while awaiting permanent residence is no longer available. This option is now limited to individuals already in Canada who are extending an existing SUV work permit.

At the same time, IRCC has indicated that greater emphasis will be placed on finalizing permanent residence applications for SUV applicants who are already in Canada. This approach reflects a broader policy objective to reduce reliance on temporary status by facilitating transitions to permanent residence, within the limits of annual admission targets.

Further adjustments also affect the intake of new business immigration applications. IRCC has confirmed that new Start-Up Visa permanent residence applications will be accepted only on a limited basis, notably where a commitment from a designated organization was secured in 2025 but the application has not yet been filed. The pause on the Self-Employed Persons Program has also been maintained.

Taken together, these measures signal a deliberate effort to manage the significant volume of applications accumulated in recent years and to create space for a redesigned approach to entrepreneur immigration. IRCC has confirmed that this transition will lead to the introduction of a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs, with further details expected in 2026.

While the current measures introduce additional constraints in the short term, they also point toward a restructuring of Canada’s business immigration landscape. The announcement of a forthcoming entrepreneur pilot program suggests that Canada remains committed to attracting innovative entrepreneurs, through selection mechanisms better aligned with the country’s economic priorities.