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Residency Partners
Residency Partners

Canada Start-Up Visa Program

New Applications Paused Since 30 June 2026

This program is currently paused

Canada is not accepting new Start-Up Visa applications. Explore programs that are currently open to new applicants.

Explore active programs

Program overview

The Start-Up Visa was designed as a permanent-residence pathway for qualifying founders supported by a designated Canadian organisation. The intake is currently paused. This page is retained to explain the status of existing files and will be updated if Canada announces a replacement or reopens intake.

IRCC is not accepting new Start-Up Visa applications. Only applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate could apply by 30 June 2026; existing applications remain in processing.

New Applications Paused Since 30 June 2026

Residency Partners

Current routes and requirements

01

Intake closed

Existing Applications Only

IRCC continues to process eligible applications submitted before the deadline with a valid 2025 commitment certificate.

Key eligibility requirements

  • No new intake: The federal program is not accepting new applications as of 30 June 2026.
  • Pending applicants: Applicants with files already submitted must continue meeting IRCC requests and program conditions.

Program due diligence

Key facts before you proceed

A concise review of the rules that materially affect eligibility, cost and long-term planning. Expand the detail you need before making a commitment.

Checked against official sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-20

Availability and review status

Paused

Status checked 2026-06-30

IRCC is not accepting new Start-Up Visa applications. The final deadline for applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate was 30 June 2026; applications already filed remain in processing.

Physical presence

Not applicable to new applicants. A person who ultimately becomes a permanent resident must meet the Canadian permanent-resident residency obligation; citizenship requires separate physical presence.

Planning range — editorial estimate

Existing files can take several years; applicants should use their IRCC account for case-specific status.

Family inclusion

No new applications are accepted. Existing qualifying files may include a spouse/partner and dependent children under the definitions that applied to the application, subject to admissibility.
Government and application costs

Existing applicants should rely on their IRCC account and the fee rules applicable to their pending file. Residency Partners does not take new Start-Up Visa mandates.

New application fees

New applicants

Not applicable

Not applicable

The program is not accepting new applications.

Eligibility and admissibility

There is no new intake for any nationality. Existing applicants remain subject to Canadian admissibility, security, medical, criminality, sanctions and document requirements.

Official timing indication

IRCC continues to process inventory files but does not offer a dependable new-applicant timeline because intake is paused.

Do not quote a new filing timeline or sell a replacement route unless formally announced.

Investment, holding and exit risk

Holding requirement: No new qualifying commitment can be marketed. Existing applicants remain bound by their business, designated-organisation and application representations.

Refundability and exit: Payments to incubators, angel groups, venture funds or advisers are governed by private contracts, not guaranteed by Canada. Government processing fees follow IRCC refund rules.

  • The intake is paused and may not reopen in its previous form.
  • A designated-organisation commitment never guaranteed permanent residence.
  • Existing files remain exposed to long processing, business viability and admissibility review.
Residence and practical rights
  • No status or work right arises from an unfiled business concept or support letter.
  • Approved existing applicants receive Canadian permanent residence and associated work/study rights.
  • Travel and citizenship rights arise only after the relevant status is granted.
Long-term residence, citizenship and tax

Renewal or permanent residence: The program itself granted permanent residence rather than a temporary renewable permit. Existing successful applicants must comply with the ordinary PR residency obligation and card-renewal process.

Citizenship path: Existing successful applicants can later pursue Canadian citizenship only after meeting the ordinary physical-presence, tax-filing, language/knowledge and admissibility rules. The paused program creates no citizenship shortcut.

Tax planning: Immigration status and tax residence are separate tests. Residence days, permanent-home, centre-of-interests, controlled-company, estate and source-income rules can create liabilities. Obtain cross-border tax advice before changing residence or investing.

Official sources and review method

Editorial source review

Editorially checked against the linked official sources. This is not a local-law opinion; case-specific eligibility, fees and transaction documents must be confirmed by regulated local counsel before engagement.

Reviewed 2026-09-20

Program at a glance

Current Intake

Paused — No new applications accepted

Application Deadline

30 June 2026

Existing Applications

Continue Processing

Frequently asked questions

Can I submit a new Canada Start-Up Visa application?
No. IRCC stopped accepting new applications on 30 June 2026. Applications already submitted remain subject to processing and admissibility checks.
Will existing Start-Up Visa applications still be processed?
Yes. IRCC states that applications already in the inventory continue to be processed. Applicants should follow any document or information requests from IRCC.

Residency Partners

This program is currently paused

Canada is not accepting new Start-Up Visa applications. Explore programs that are currently open to new applicants.

Explore active programs