Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is phasing out its business immigration programs, including the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, to make way for a new, more targeted initiative for immigrant entrepreneurs.
Effective December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., IRCC will stop accepting new applications for the SUV Program. Additionally, as of December 19, 2025, the optional work permit for SUV applicants is no longer available—except for individuals already in Canada seeking an extension of their current permit.
There is a narrow exception to the closure: Applicants who obtained a valid commitment certificate from a designated organization in 2025 but haven’t yet applied will still be eligible. These individuals must submit their application no later than June 30, 2026.
The department is also continuing its freeze on the Self-Employed Persons Program, first instituted on April 30, 2024. No date has been set for when this suspension will be lifted.
According to IRCC, these policy shifts are part of a transition toward a new pilot program designed specifically for immigrant entrepreneurs. While full details will be disclosed in 2026, the intent is to address key issues that have plagued current programs, particularly the Start-Up Visa’s notorious backlogs.
In 2025, scrutiny of the SUV Program intensified as a new government tool revealed applicants were enduring processing times of up to 10 years—far longer than anticipated for a program designed to attract high-potential innovators.
By resetting its approach, Canada aims to better support entrepreneurs capable of stimulating economic growth, creating local jobs, and bringing innovation to Canadian markets more efficiently.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report developments related to the new entrepreneur immigration pathway as more information becomes available in 2026.