CanadaStart-UpVisa–ClosedtoNewApplications

Advising UAE residents on Canadian immigration from our Dubai office.

This programme is closed

The Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) is no longer available to new applicants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) paused the programme on 30 June 2026. Its own eligibility page now states that the programme was paused on that date and that IRCC will only continue processing applications it accepted before then.

What happened, and when

Date	What changed
19 December 2025	IRCC published its entrepreneur measures notice. The optional SUV work permit stopped being accepted the same day, except extensions for people already in Canada on one.
31 December 2025, 11:59 p.m.	Intake for new Start-Up Visa applications ended.
30 June 2026	Final deadline for applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate. The programme was paused on this date.
2026	IRCC said a new, targeted pilot programme for immigrant entrepreneurs would follow. Nothing has launched on canada.ca as at 29 September 2026.

The wider context: the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the Federal Business category at 500 admissions a year — down from 2,000 in 2025. That is the clearest explanation of why both federal entrepreneur routes were shut.

What it required, for reference

These figures are historical. They are published here so that anyone holding old paperwork can check it, not as a current offer.

The minimum investment depended on which designated organisation backed the business:

Backer	Minimum investment
Venture capital fund	CAD $200,000
Angel investor group	CAD $75,000
Business incubator	No investment required — acceptance into the programme was the requirement

Other requirements were CLB 5 in all four language abilities, at least 10% of the voting rights held by the applicant, and the applicant plus the designated organisation holding more than 50% together. Settlement funds ranged from CAD $15,263 for one person to CAD $40,392 for seven, plus CAD $4,112 for each additional family member.

If you already have an application in

IRCC continues to process applications accepted before the cut-off; the closure does not cancel a file already in the system. If you need help with a submitted application, contact us and we will advise on your options.

Routes into Canada that are still open

Canada has not closed down — the money-based federal routes closed, while the skills and provincial routes grew. For 2026 the federal government raised Provincial Nominee Program admissions to 91,500 (up from 55,000 in 2025) and set total permanent residence at 380,000.

Provincial business streams still accepting applications:

• British Columbia — Entrepreneur Immigration, Base stream — from CAD $200,000
• British Columbia — Entrepreneur Immigration, Regional stream — from CAD $100,000
• Prince Edward Island — Work Permit Stream — from CAD $150,000
• Newfoundland & Labrador — International Entrepreneur — from CAD $200,000
• Nova Scotia — Entrepreneur stream — from CAD $100,000
• Northwest Territories — Business Stream — from CAD $100,000
• New Brunswick — Business Immigration Stream — from CAD $150,000
• Manitoba — Business Investor Stream, Entrepreneur Pathway
• Alberta — Self-Employed Farmer Stream — net worth and farm equity of CAD $500,000; very limited 2026 allocation
• Yukon — Business Nominee Program — from CAD $300,000

Skilled and employment routes:

• Express Entry — four new occupation categories were added for 2026
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Global Talent Stream — two-week work permit processing

Speak to a XIPHIAS adviser about which of these fits your profile.

Canada Startup Entrepreneur Visa

Our services

We can assist you in choosing the right path to be chosen by a designated organisation.

Our guidance will help you in setting up a relationship with a Designated Organisation (Incubator, Angel group or a Venture Capitalist group). Designated organizations are business groups that have been approved by CICC to invest in or support possible start-ups.

CICC’s Approved Organizations choose which business proposals to review. If one organisation decides to review your start up, it will assess the potential of your proposal and whether or not it will succeed. Each organization has its own intake process for proposals and criteria used to assess them. Our job is to help you present the proposal in the way that the designated organisations like to receive them for the maximum chances of acceptance.

If an organization chooses to support your business idea, it will give you a Letter of Support.

Please contact us, to apply for the Start-up Visa Program and speak to our experts

Canada Super Visa

Canada Super Visa enables parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada to visit their family and stay in Canada for up to two years without having to renew their status.

Canada Super Visa Eligibility

To apply for the Canada Super Visa, the parent or grandparent must:

• Prove that they are simply visiting the country and will return to their home country at the end of their visit.
• Demonstrate ties to their home country.
• Show the purpose of their visit.
• Show their finances in their home country.
• Provide a letter of invitation from their Canadian child or grandchild living in Canada.
• Provide a letter promising financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada.
• Prove parental relationship to the child or grandchild.
• Provide one of the following documents to prove that their child or grandchild meets income requirements to apply for Canada Super Visa:
• Most recent copy of the notice of assessment or tax returns.
• Most recent copy of the T4 or T1.
• A letter from the child/grandchild’s employer.
• Employment insurance pay-stubs.
• Proof of private medical insurance with a Canadian insurance company valid for a minimum of one year.
• Complete and pass an immigration medical examination for Canada Super Visa.

Important Information on Canada Super Visa

• You can apply for the parent and grandparent super visa online or on paper.
• Even if you do not need a visitor visa to enter Canada, you can use the Canada super visa to stay in the country for up to two years.
• Parents and grandparents living in countries that require a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) can obtain the Canada super visa so that they can travel freely between Canada and their country of residence without having to regularly re-apply for a TRV.

XIPHIAS Immigration provides a wide range of legal services internationally, including immigration, education and legal consultation. By delivering comprehensive and up-to-date immigration advice and services to individuals, families and SME business owners worldwide, our Immigration Services are designed to equip our clients with thorough information enabling them to make informed decisions.

For more information on Canada Super Visa, get in touch with our team of qualified consultants, skilled advisors and highly trained instructors.

Start-up Visa Program

Figures in the notes below are from the time of writing; current IRCC fees, settlement funds and processing times are confirmed at the time of filing.

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey with the Canada Startup Visa (SUV) program. This initiative encourages foreign entrepreneurs to establish innovative ventures in Canada, contributing to the country's economic growth. The Canada Startup Visa offers a streamlined immigration process, making it easier for aspiring business owners to enter the Canadian business landscape. If you're looking to kickstart your entrepreneurial dreams, the Canada Startup Visa is your pathway to a vibrant startup community and a supportive business environment. Explore the possibilities with this visa program, designed to simplify the immigration process for startup enthusiasts. Choose the Canada SUV visa for a straightforward entry into Canada's thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Start-up Visa Program

Unlock your entrepreneurial potential with the Business Start-Up Visa Canada program, a gateway for innovative thinkers to create job opportunities for Canadians, compete globally, and establish businesses in the country. The Immigration Canada Startup Visa is tailored for those with a vision to contribute to Canada's economic landscape.

Canada, renowned for its robust economy, competitive taxes, low business costs, top-tier infrastructure, and a pro-research environment, stands as an ideal destination for starting a business. The Business Start-Up Visa Canada program offers a streamlined pathway for immigration, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth. Start-Up Visa Canada continues to be a beacon for entrepreneurs seeking a high-quality life and a thriving business environment. Seize the opportunity to make your mark in Canada's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape with the Start-Up Visa Canada, where business aspirations meet a welcoming and supportive ecosystem.

If you want to apply to the Canada Start-up Visa Program, then you need to

• Before you (the entrepreneur) apply for the Start-up Visa Program, you must have obtained support from a designated organization which have been officially authorized to do so by the Canadian Government. Such designated organizations are set u, to guide you to invest and support. You would receive a LETTER OF SUPPORT from the designated organization that decides to support your Start-up in Canada. This document is very important.
• You must provide documents to show your financial viability when you move to Canada. You should be in a position to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada. At any given point of time, you cannot borrow money in Canada.

You can be the founder or co-founder of the organization. Your age nor your background matters under this program. The business idea is what matters the most. It should be raw, innovative and early seed stage. It should be for-profit organization. If your application is successful, then you will receive a letter of invitation from the APS recommended education facility to help you obtain your right VISA. It would be nice if you have obtained a post-graduation degree,

Business Incubators

A business incubator is a company authorized by the Canadian Government to help start-up companies by providing services to the Start-ups in the management training or providing office space or such other needs.

Such organizations, help the Canadian government by reviewing and assessing the many business proposals that come to them. If your business proposal gets approved by one such organization, then you get a LETTER OF SUPPORT. There are 3 kinds of organizations who do this. They are either the Designated Business Incubators or Designated Angel investor groups or Designated Venture Capital Funds group.

Minimum Investment for Canada SUV Program

It's important to note that participating in the Canada SUV Program involves various fees, including legal, administrative, government services, and residence requirements. This amount covers essential aspects of the application process and ensures compliance with the necessary legal and administrative procedures.

This is the Canada startup visa minimum investment requirement.

How XIPHIAS Immigration can help you

Navigating the intricate process of the Start-Up Visa Canada is made seamless with XIPHIAS Immigration. As trusted start-up visa Canada consultants, we prioritize understanding your specific needs and providing tailored guidance for a successful application. Our team facilitates the establishment of crucial interactions and strengthens relationships with designated organizations, crucial for obtaining the coveted LETTER OF SUPPORT. Operating from Dubai, UAE, our expert start-up visa immigration consultants for Canada in Dubai leverage their CICC registration to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Rely on XIPHIAS Immigration to guide you through every step, transforming your entrepreneurial aspirations into a reality in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Canada Start-up Visa (SUV)?

IRCC first introduced SUV since 2013. SUV aims to attract global startup entrepreneurs to invest, own and manage their Canadian business actively by bringing economic, cultural and social values to Canada and create job opportunities. The SUV business should be innovative and has growth potential to a global scale.

Here are a few tips to get you started

• No age limits
• No minimum qualification
• The main applicant / each member of the team and their dependent spouse and children may work, live and study anywhere in Canada as it is a federal direct PR program.
• As PR of Canada, the applicants and their family members enjoy all social and health benefits, free public-school education for the children and no foreign homebuyers tax.

How is SUV different from other Canada permanent residence (PR) programs?

Unlike the federal or provincial skilled / entrepreneur programs which are points and business performance (including designated capital investment, no. of full-time jobs of Canadian PR / citizens created, sales achievement etc.) based for the PR application decision, the SUV PR decision is based upon the genuineness of the entrepreneur and the business activities performed throughout the entire application process.

Does failure in my SUV business affect my PR visa?

No. SUV PR decision is not based upon your business success, sales turnover or profit earning. The SUV PR decision is based upon the genuineness of the entrepreneur and the business activities performed throughout the entire application process.

What is the recommended SUV capital investment for the main applicant or each member of the team?

We recommend about CAD40,000 or more depending upon the nature of your SUV business and total number of members in a team.

How many Canadian PR / citizens do I have to hire for my SUV business?

There is no mandatory requirement under the SUV visa requirements to employ how many full time Canadian staff, though one of the program objectives is to create job opportunities in Canada. Throughout your SUV application process, you will certainly create indirect job opportunities in Canada by hiring the Canadian startup, business and IT consultants besides hiring full time Canadian staff as you find fit.

Who are eligible for SUV application?

To be eligible for the SUV application, the main applicant or each member of the team meet all the visa requirements below.

• Enough settlement fund to support your family in Canada (please log on the IRCC official website for exact amount required)
• Your innovative, viable and scalable business idea is accepted by one of the SUV designated organizations
• All the main applicant and family members must have good health and good character.

Am I eligible for SUV even though I do not have any IT and/or business experience?

No. You are the SUV investor / entrepreneur who will hire the Canadian consultants to complete all the tasks as instructed by you or work with other team members who have IT and/or business experience and skills complementary to yours. In fact, you may be in any occupation or in any industry to apply for SUV, as long as you have the investment fund, meet the English language requirement and commitment to own and manage your business in Canada.

Why do some SUV applications fail?

The failure cases are mainly due to the non-compliance by either the designated organizations and/or the applicants.

What are the pros and cons in applying the SUV by yourself as the sole practitioner or join as member of a team of up to 5 members?

As a sole owner of your SUV business, you have full control of your funds and business in Canada. You hire, supervise and manage your team of Canadian consultants and staff as the CEO. For a team of up to 5 members, one fails all fail i.e. all team members of a genuine team with complementary skills set are to work together in their SUV partnership business. Please note the team is formed for some good reasons not for the sole purpose of saving money.

What are my obligations as a SUV applicant which I have to fulfill to increase the chance of my PR grant?

As a genuine SUV entrepreneur, you are advised to exercise your full due diligence to own and manage your innovative SUV business to create economic, social and cultural values and job opportunities in Canada.

Which designated organization will I choose to submit my application and get my Letter of Support?

Designated organizations are Canadian incubators, angel funds and venture capital firms appointed by the IRCC to vet the business idea, provide the incubation program at a fee and the Letter of Support for the applicant’s visa application.

What are my Canada settlement options while waiting for my SUV PR to be granted?

The SUV is a federal PR visa under which the applicant and all dependent family members may live, work and study anywhere in Canada. The sole owner or the team’s essential person is advised to spend some time (or reside most of time if appropriate) in Canada to manage the SUV business before the PR decision.

How to choose my Canadian immigration consultant to process my SUV work permit and PR visa?

It is to your benefit to choose a Canadian RCIC immigration consultant who has many years of successful experience in processing SUV WP and PR over the years. Since 2015, our RCIC consultants, business and project management team have processed over 100 SUV success cases with solid proven experience and expertise to serve our clients to get their PR grant.

How to choose my SUV business and IT consultants in Canada?

To create job opportunities for Canadians is one of the SUV visa requirements, therefore you are encouraged to create direct and indirect employment before the PR decision.

What are common myths of SUV which may lead to SUV application failure?

The SUV requires the applicant to own and manage the business actively in Canada, not a passive investment program in which you just make an investment without managing the business. Getting the Letter of Support is only the first stage, you (the sole proprietor) or all members of the team are advised to manage the SUV business actively through the application process before the PR decision.

Why hundreds of SUV applicants choose XIPHIAS Immigration to process their SUV applications?

Our SUV clients have chosen and engaged our professional service to process their SUV WP and PR visas because of our following competitive advantages.

• End-to-end whole application process managed and processed by our in-house professional team including Canadian immigration lawyer, RCIC immigration consultant, innovative business consultant, project management team to deliver the best customer experience, fast response and service excellence to our clients – from ideation generation, pitch deck, business plan, cash flow projection, incubation program application, interview coaching to prepare for incubator interview, getting the Letter of Support for visa application, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) design, built and implementation, project management till PR decision and onshore family settlement services.
• Processed over 100 SUV clients’ cases in getting their WP and PR granted since 2015.
• We connect our SUV clients with our nationwide network of Canadian banks, IT and business consultants, commercial lawyers, accountants and tax consultants who serve them with their professional services including business incorporation in Canada, opening new company bank account.
• Onshore comprehensive family settlement information, assistance and services in Vancouver and Toronto including airport pickup, accommodation and children education etc.

Talk to a Canada immigration consultant in Dubai

XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families on Canadian permanent residency since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents applying from the Emirates. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022.

If you want a straight answer on whether this route suits your profile, our immigration consultants in Dubai will give you one — including when the answer is no.

• Book a consultation
• Canada immigration consultants in Dubai
• Canada PR from Dubai

Sources

Every figure and date on this page comes from an official government source:

• IRCC — Immigration measures for entrepreneurs (notice, 19 December 2025)
• IRCC — Start-Up Visa: who can apply (pause notice)
• IRCC — Start-Up Visa: designated organizations
• IRCC — Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan

Checked 29 September 2026.