Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship agency has announced a pause on new applications for the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program effective December 19, 2025. This decision affects approximately 42,000 applications currently in backlog, with processing times extending from the original 24 months to potentially up to 10 years.
Key Details:
- New applications for the Start-Up Visa program halted as of December 19, 2025.
- Current backlog includes around 42,000 applications.
- Processing times have increased from 24 months to potentially 10 years.
- Only applications for extending in-country SUV work permits will be accepted.
The delay in processing has prompted many founders to reassess their immigration strategies, with many considering U.S. visa options such as H-1B, TN, L-1, O-1, EB-1A, and NIW. Experts recommend decoupling immigration plans from business plans to mitigate risks associated with program changes. While Canada remains a viable option, the current policy direction adds complexity to the decision-making process for entrepreneurs.
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Source: Aizada Marat (CEO @ Alma)