Canada Start-Up Visa 2026: Status, Fees and Options
New Start-Up Visa applications are paused as of June 30, 2026. This guide covers accepted applications, historical eligibility and current fee information.
Check current IRCC guidance
From CAD 2,495
Permanent Residence
Canada Start-Up Visa Program (SUV) is a permanent residency stream administered by IRCC for innovative entrepreneurs who can build a scalable business in Canada. IRCC is not accepting new applications. Its current program page states that intake paused on June 30, 2026 and accepted applications continue to be processed.
The underlying SUV rules still matter for applicants already in process under the applicable program rules. Up to five co-founders per business can be principal applicants, each holding at least 10% of the voting rights, with applicants and the designated organization together holding more than 50%. The program requires CLB 5 in all four language abilities, sufficient settlement funds based on family size, and a credible business plan. Canada.ca currently lists fees from CAD 2,495 including the CAD 600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Processing varies; check IRCC's current tool.
2026 intake status
IRCC is not accepting new Start-Up Visa applications
IRCC states that new applications paused on June 30, 2026. Applications accepted before the pause continue to be processed. The earlier 2025 commitment-certificate deadline has passed.
Compare currently practical options before preparing a new SUV package.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Start-Up Visa Program?
- Foreign entrepreneurs with a qualifying business idea endorsed by an IRCC-designated organization through a Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate
- Founder teams of up to five co-applicants on a single business, where each principal applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights individually
- Applicants and the designated organization together holding more than 50% of total voting rights in the qualifying business
- Applicants who can demonstrate English or French language ability at CLB 5 across listening, speaking, reading, and writing
- Applicants able to establish and actively manage the business in Canada (not just a passive investor or holding-company arrangement)
- Applicants with sufficient unencumbered settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members
- Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children can be included on the application as accompanying family members
These requirements describe the paused program for existing files. They do not reopen intake. Applicants must intend to settle outside Quebec.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Start-Up Visa Program?
- Visa Type: Permanent Residence - Economic / Business Class
- Official Program Name: Start-Up Visa Program (SUV)
- 2026 Intake Status: New applications paused June 30, 2026; accepted files continue processing
- Valid 2025 Certificate Deadline: Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate had to apply by June 30, 2026
- Designated Organization Sponsor: Required for eligible in-process cases - VC fund, angel investor group, or business incubator from the IRCC-designated list
- Letter of Support: Mandatory for eligible applications - issued by the designated organization detailing the business plan and commitment
- Commitment Certificate: Mandatory for eligible applications - sent directly to IRCC by the designated organization and normally valid for 6 months
- Maximum Co-Applicants Per Business: 5 principal applicants on a single qualifying business
- Minimum Voting Rights Per Applicant: 10% individually in the qualifying business
- Combined Voting Rights (Applicants + Designated Org): Over 50% of total voting rights
- Minimum Investment From Designated Org: CAD 200,000 from a designated VC fund OR CAD 75,000 from a designated angel investor group OR business incubator acceptance (no funding required)
- Personal Investment Required: No fixed minimum from applicant directly
- Language Test Required: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada
- Minimum Language Score: CLB 5 in all 4 abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
- Education Requirement: No minimum education requirement specified by IRCC
- Work Experience Required: No minimum work experience specified
- Settlement Funds: Required - based on family size, unencumbered and available at the time of application (refer to current IRCC settlement-funds table)
- Business Location Requirement: Business must be incorporated and have its essential and active management in Canada
- Medical Exam Required: Yes - by an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police Clearance Required: Follow the program checklist and country-specific IRCC police certificate instructions
- Biometrics Required: Provide biometrics when required under IRCC's instructions and exemption rules
- Interview Required: IRCC may request an interview or further evidence; peer review is a separate process
- Application Mode: No new applications; existing applicants must follow the instructions for their file
- Processing Time: Check the current IRCC processing-time tool. No fixed estimate is promised here
- Principal Applicant Government Fee: CAD 2,495: CAD 1,895 processing plus CAD 600 RPRF for the principal applicant
- Right of PR Fee (RPRF): CAD 600 per adult
- Spouse / Common-Law Partner Fee: CAD 1,590 (CAD 990 processing + CAD 600 RPRF)
- Dependent Child Fee: CAD 270 per dependent child
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 individual; CAD 170 maximum for an eligible family applying together
- Validity Period: Permanent Residence on landing
- Work Rights: Yes - permanent resident, work anywhere in Canada upon landing
- Study Rights: Yes - permanent resident, study anywhere in Canada upon landing
- Spouse Work Rights: Yes - PR rights apply equally to spouse
- Children Study Rights: Yes - PR rights apply equally to dependent children
- Path to Citizenship: Citizenship has separate physical-presence and other eligibility requirements
- Work Permit During Processing: The SUV-specific temporary work-permit rules apply. Existing applicants must check the current eligibility and extension instructions
- Province Specific: No - applicants can settle in any province or territory except Quebec
Documents
What are the documents required for Start-Up Visa Program?
- Valid passport or travel document meeting the program checklist
- Letter of Support from an IRCC-designated organization (VC fund, angel investor group, or business incubator)
- Commitment Certificate signed by the designated organization, sent directly to IRCC
- Proof of qualifying business - articles of incorporation, share certificates, and voting-rights distribution among co-applicants
- Business plan, pitch deck, and supporting financial projections submitted to the designated organization
- Language test results from an IRCC-approved testing organization (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada) demonstrating CLB 5 or higher
- Proof of unencumbered settlement funds based on family size (bank statements, fixed deposits, official letters)
- Education and professional records if requested for your file
- Resume or CV detailing professional and entrepreneurial background
- Police certificates required by the SUV checklist and country-specific instructions
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Biometrics at an authorized collection location if required by IRCC
- Digital photographs meeting IRCC photo specifications for each applicant
- Schedule A and Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) for principal applicant and family
- Marriage or birth certificates for accompanying spouse and dependent children
Application Process
Next steps for existing Start-Up Visa applicants
Confirm That New Intake Is Paused
IRCC's current program page states that new applications paused June 30, 2026. Do not prepare a new submission on the assumption that a support letter reopens intake.
Identify Your Existing Application
Keep your application number, submission records, support letter and correspondence. Use the instructions that apply to your accepted file.
Respond to IRCC Requests
Monitor your account and respond by the stated deadlines. Supply updated business, identity, language or other evidence when IRCC requests it.
Follow Medical, Police and Biometrics Instructions
Use the document checklist and instructions for your application. A new medical exam, police certificate or biometrics collection is not something to infer from a general article.
Check Temporary Status Separately
A pending PR application does not by itself authorize work or extend temporary status. Check the current SUV-specific work-permit rules if you need to work while waiting.
Track Processing and the Decision
Use IRCC's processing guidance and account messages. If approved, follow the instructions for confirming permanent residence. No reopening date or decision deadline is promised by this guide.
This guide explains the paused Start-Up Visa route for existing applicants. New entrepreneurs should check current provincial and federal eligibility before paying for services. A separate work-permit route does not guarantee permanent residence.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore the Business Immigration FAQs guide to know the answers to your questions.
Official IRCC sources used for this Start-Up Visa Program guide
Last updated
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
- IRCC current business immigration feesircc.canada.ca, opens in a new tab
- IRCC SUV language testscanada.ca, opens in a new tab
- IRCC processing timescanada.ca, opens in a new tab
- Canada.ca: Start-Up Visa statuscanada.ca, opens in a new tab
- Canada.ca: Start-Up Visa eligibilitycanada.ca, opens in a new tab
- Canada.ca: designated organizationscanada.ca, opens in a new tab
- IRCC entrepreneur program intake updatecanada.ca, opens in a new tab
Related Resources
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