Canada Officially Closes the Start-up Visa (SUV) Program

On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially announced that it will stop accepting new applications under the Start-up Visa (SUV) program. This decision aims to address the prolonged application backlog and to prepare for a new federal entrepreneur program, expected to be launched in 2026.

Suspension of SUV Applications: Key Dates to Know

According to IRCC, the main changes to the Start-up Visa program include:

• As of December 19, 2025, Canada no longer accepts Work Permit applications under the SUV category,except for extensions for applicants currently in Canada.
• From January 1, 2026, Canada will officially stop accepting new SUV applications..
• Applications that have already received a Letter of Support (LOS) or Commitment Certificate in 2025 are still eligible to submit their Permanent Residence (PR) applications, with a deadline of June 30, 2026.
• SUV applications submitted before the announcement date will not be affected and will continue to be processed under existing IRCC procedures.

The temporary closure of the SUV program marks the end of a relatively “open” phase for start-up immigration, while paving the way for more selective entrepreneur models in the future.

Why Is Canada Suspending the Start-up Visa Program?

In reality, the closure of the Start-up Visa program is not a sudden decision. It has been anticipated as part of Canada’s medium- and long-term immigration policy adjustments.

For many years, the SUV was considered one of Canada’s most open entrepreneur immigration programs. However, the rapid increase in applications has overwhelmed the processing system. According to IRCC data in 2025:

• More than 43,000 SUV applications are currently backlogged
• While the annual quota from 2026 will be limited to 1,000 applications per year
• Processing times may extend to nearly 10 years

Under this pressure, IRCC has been forced to stop accepting new applications and restrict Work Permits, allowing it to focus on clearing the backlog and reallocating resources to a new entrepreneur program that is more practical and feasible.

New Trend: Provincial Entrepreneur Programs Take the Lead

The closure of the Start-up Visa program does not mean Canada is no longer attracting entrepreneurs. On the contrary, immigration policy is clearly shifting toward models that:

• Are closely tied to real business operations
• Directly support local economic development needs
• Prioritize entrepreneurs with experience and long-term commitment

In this context, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams are considered a more stable and sustainable pathway than the SUV, especially for genuine business owners.

Advice for Investors Interested in Canadian Immigration

Entering 2026, Canada’s immigration policies are expected to continue becoming more selective. Closely monitoring policy changes and receiving timely guidance from experienced immigration consultants can help investors:iếp tục điều chỉnh theo hướng chọn lọc. Việc theo dõi sát thông tin và có định hướng kịp thời từ đơn vị tư vấn chuyên sâu sẽ giúp nhà đầu tư:

• Choose programs that match their capabilities and experienc
• Avoid policy risks and prolonged waiting times
• Optimize long-term immigration planning for the entire family

If you are interested in the Canada investment immigration programs, please contact OMG VISA or leave your registration information. Our experienced consulting team will provide in-depth guidance and assist in evaluating the success potential of your application. We are committed to protecting personal data and will use the information you provide solely for the purpose of consulting on your family’s immigration application.