Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced significant changes to the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Person programs.
Starting April 30, 2024, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement new policies for processing applications for the Start-up visa. On the same day, the department will completely stop accepting applications for the self-employed individuals program.
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Changes to the Start-up Visa
Starting April 30, IRCC will make changes to the application process under the Start-up Visa, focusing on the following:
- Limiting the number of permanent residents accepted under the program, and excluding applicants from start-ups to a maximum of 10 from each specified organization*; and
- Providing priority to entrepreneurs whose start-up is supported by a Canadian capital or business incubator that is a member of the Canadian Tech Network (including applications already submitted under the program).
*Designated organizations are Canadian business groups (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and/or business incubators) that have been approved under the program to invest in start-up businesses. Applicants under the Start-up Visa will need the support of the designated organization to be eligible under the program.
Changes to the Self-Employed Person Program
IRCC has announced a full stop on accepting applications for the Self-Employed Individuals Program – which is planned to be implemented by the end of 2026. As a result of the high number of applications on the program list, processing times have increased to over four years.
During the temporary pause, IRCC will continue to finalize applications, while also looking for opportunities to continue improving the program while maintaining its integrity.
About the programs
Start-up Visa
The Canadian Start-up Visa program allows foreign nationals who are owners (or partial owners) of a start-up business to immigrate and permanently settle in Canada, provided that they:
- having a qualified occupation;
- Obtain a letter of support from a designated organisation;
- meeting language requirements; and
- Bring enough money to settle in Canada.
To learn more about the programme, please visit our dedicated webpage.
Self-Employed Persons Program
The Self-Employed Persons Program is a pathway to permanent residence (PR) for self-employed foreign individuals who have notable experience in arts, culture, entertainment or sports, and who can contribute to Canada’s cultural vibrancy.
To be eligible, applicants must do the following:
- have relevant experience;
- Be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada;
- meet the program selection criteria; and
- Meet medical, security and other pre-conditions.
To learn more about the Self-Employed Individuals Program, see our dedicated webpage here.
Notably, both programs fall under the “federal business” category of the immigration levels plan, which will increase from a 5,000-newcomer allocation to a 6,000-newcomer allocation from 2025.
Speaking on April 29, Miller reiterated the need for more efficient processing for these streams:
“Faster processing is vital to the success of entrepreneurs coming to Canada through our federal business programs. These necessary changes … will ensure faster processing times while we look at further improvements to make these programs more sustainable and effective in the long term.”
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