Canada Start-Up Visa Program — Now Closed to New Applications

PROGRAM CLOSED — January 1, 2026

The Canada Start-Up Visa Program (SUV) is no longer accepting new applications. IRCC closed the program on January 1, 2026, due to a backlog exceeding 42,000 applications and processing times that had grown beyond 42 months. A new targeted entrepreneur pilot is expected later in 2026, but no details have been confirmed.

Applicants who submitted before January 1, 2026, may still be in processing. All others should explore the three active pathways above.

Source: IRCC official announcement

If you had a Start-Up Visa strategy in place and need to pivot, book a consultation and we will map the best available alternative based on your profile.

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What Business Immigration options are available after the closure of the Canada Start-up visa program

Entrepreneurs seeking immigration to Canada or the United States have three active pathways that Amir Ismail and Associates handles directly. The first is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams, which allow foreign business owners to gain Canadian permanent residence by establishing a business in one of eleven participating provinces or territories. The second is the C11 Work Permit, a temporary LMIA-exempt work permit for entrepreneurs who want to operate a business in Canada before pursuing permanent residence through a PNP. The third is the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows nationals from 80-plus treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in an active American business. A fourth pathway, the Federal Start-Up Visa, was closed to new applications on January 1, 2026, and is not currently accepting files.

PNP Entrepreneur Programs

Canadian Permanent Residence

What it is: Provincial Nominee Programs let foreign entrepreneurs apply for Canadian permanent residence by starting or buying a business in a specific province or territory. There are eleven active programs across Canada, each with its own requirements for net worth, investment amount, language ability, and business type.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs with CAD $250,000 to CAD $600,000+ in net worth (varies by province)
Business owners who want to live and eventually settle permanently in Canada
Applicants willing to commit to a specific province or region

How it works: Most programs follow a two-stage process. You enter Canada on an entrepreneur work permit, establish your business, meet performance targets over 12 to 24 months, and then apply for your provincial nomination and permanent residence.

Key facts:

11 active provincial and territorial programs
Net worth requirements range from CAD $250,000 (NWT outside Yellowknife) to CAD $600,000 (BC Base, NS Halifax, PEI)
Investment requirements range from CAD $100,000 to CAD $300,000+ depending on the stream
Pathway leads to full Canadian permanent residence

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C11 Work Permit for Entrepreneurs

Canadian Temporary Work Permit + PR via PNP

What it is: The C11 Work Permit is a Canadian LMIA-exempt temporary work permit under the International Mobility Program. It lets foreign entrepreneurs establish or operate a business in Canada without a Labour Market Impact Assessment. After operating the business and meeting provincial targets, most C11 holders pursue permanent residence through a PNP entrepreneur stream.

Important: Major policy changes took effect on May 27, 2025. Old C11 strategies are now invalid. If you received advice before that date, get it reviewed.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs who want to enter Canada and launch a business quickly
Business owners who do not yet meet PNP capital thresholds and need to build a track record first
Applicants who want to test a business idea in Canada before committing to a specific province for PNP

Key facts (post-May 2025 rules):

Minimum 51% ownership of the Canadian business is required
Maximum permit validity: 18 months
You must prove genuine temporary residence intent with documented home-country ties
Dual funding proof is mandatory: separate business capital and personal living funds
C11 work experience no longer counts toward Express Entry Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
PR pathway is now primarily through PNP entrepreneur streams
Last reviewed: March 2026. Source: IRCC policy update May 27, 2025.

Read the Full C11 Work Permit Guide

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USA E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

US Residency for Business Investors

What it is: The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa allows nationals from 80-plus treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and directing a US business. It is not a green card, but it can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments as long as the business remains operational. Amir Ismail and Associates holds a 98% approval rate on E-2 applications over 34 years of practice.

Who it suits:

Entrepreneurs from treaty countries (including Canada, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Australia, and 80+ others) who want to expand into the US market
Business investors with USD $75,000 to USD $2,000,000+ to commit to a real operating enterprise
Families who want to live and work in the US without committing to the green card process

Key facts:

No annual visa quota (unlike H-1B)
Renewals are unlimited in two-year increments as long as the business is active
Your spouse can work for any US employer in any capacity (no separate EAD required as of November 2021)
Children under 21 can attend US schools including university
Typical investment range: USD $100,000 to USD $500,000 depending on business type
80+ treaty countries qualify, including Canada, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and many others
Processing: 2 to 6 months (premium processing available)

Read the Full E-2 Investor Visa Guide

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