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 comes as the agency faces a backlog of approximately 42,000 applications, leading to significantly extended processing timelines that could reach up to 10 years.
Key Details:
- New applications for the Start-Up Visa program paused as of December 19, 2025.
- Current backlog: Approximately 42,000 applications.
- Processing times have increased from an initial 24 months to potentially up to 10 years.
- Only applications to extend in-country SUV work permits will be accepted.
This development has prompted many founders to reassess their immigration strategies, with many looking towards the U.S. market for opportunities. Entrepreneurs are advised to explore various U.S. visa options, including H-1B, TN, L-1, O-1, EB-1A, and NIW paths, to mitigate risks associated with relying solely on the Canadian program.
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Source: Aizada Marat (CEO @Alma)