Canada Start-Up Visa: Closed in 2025 and What Replaces It

Notice (updated 2026): The federal Start-Up Visa is closed. IRCC stopped accepting new applications at 11:59 pm on 31 December 2025. Only holders of a valid commitment certificate issued in 2025 could still apply. Their deadline was 30 June 2026. This guide explains what happened and which routes remain open.

The Canada Start-Up Visa is no longer open to new entrepreneurs. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) closed the programme to new applications at the end of 2025 and says a new targeted entrepreneur pilot will launch in 2026.

What happened to the Start-Up Visa?

The Start-Up Visa gave founders a route to Canadian permanent residence if a designated organisation, such as a venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator, agreed to support their business. The designated organisation issued a commitment certificate to IRCC and the founder then applied for permanent residence.

In December 2025 IRCC announced the closure. The key dates are:

1. 19 December 2025: the optional Start-Up Visa work permit stopped, except extensions for people already in Canada.
2. 11:59 pm on 31 December 2025: the programme closed to new applications.
3. 30 June 2026: the final deadline for people holding a valid commitment certificate issued in 2025.

If you did not hold a 2025 commitment certificate, you can no longer apply. If you did hold one but missed the 30 June 2026 deadline, the route is also closed to you.

Key dates at a glance

What about the Self-Employed Persons Program?

The federal Self-Employed Persons Program, once used by people in cultural and athletic fields, has been paused since 30 April 2024 until further notice. It is not an alternative for new applicants at the moment.

What replaces the Start-Up Visa?

IRCC says a new targeted entrepreneur pilot will launch in 2026. Its eligibility rules, investment levels and application process have not yet been published. Check canada.ca for the official announcement before making plans or paying any adviser for this route.

What are the current alternatives?

Entrepreneurs and investors who want to move to Canada can look at these routes instead:

• Provincial entrepreneur streams: several provinces run their own entrepreneur programmes through the Provincial Nominee Program. Rules, investment levels and intake dates differ by province, so check each provincial government website.
• Express Entry: the main federal system for skilled workers. It is based on age, education, work experience and language ability rather than business investment.
• The Quebec investor route: Quebec runs its own economic immigration programmes. See our Quebec investor program guide for the current position.
• Citizenship by descent: if a parent or grandparent was Canadian, you may already be a citizen. Read our guide to Canadian citizenship by descent after Bill C-3 before choosing a business route.

For a full overview of work, family and study routes, see our complete guide to moving to Canada.

For the wider context, read our full what is a golden visa? every active programme compared (2026).

What if I already applied?

People who applied before the closure, or who held a 2025 commitment certificate and applied by 30 June 2026, should follow the instructions in their IRCC account. Existing work permit holders already in Canada may be able to extend their permit. Check the IRCC page for your case or speak to a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for the Canada Start-Up Visa?

No. IRCC closed the Start-Up Visa to new applications at 11:59 pm on 31 December 2025. The only exception was for holders of a valid commitment certificate issued in 2025, whose deadline to apply was 30 June 2026. That deadline has now passed.

Can I still get a Start-Up Visa work permit?

The optional Start-Up Visa work permit stopped on 19 December 2025. The only exception is an extension for people already in Canada on that permit. New work permits under this route are not available.

Is the Self-Employed Persons Program open?

No. The federal Self-Employed Persons Program has been paused since 30 April 2024 until further notice. Check canada.ca for any change before planning around it.

What is the new entrepreneur pilot?

IRCC has said a new targeted entrepreneur pilot will launch in 2026. Details such as who qualifies, how much investment is needed and how to apply have not yet been published. Rely only on official IRCC announcements.

What are the best alternatives for entrepreneurs?

Provincial entrepreneur streams are the closest alternative for business owners. Express Entry suits skilled workers. Quebec runs its own investor route. If you have Canadian parents or grandparents, citizenship by descent may be the simplest option.

Sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca), Start-Up Visa programme updates, December 2025
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca), Self-Employed Persons Program

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Consult a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before making any application decision.