IRCC updates visa programs for startups and self-employed workers to reduce delays and improve processing

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced important changes in the Startup visa and Self-employed programs.

As of April 30, 2024, Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) will implement new policies on processing applications for the Startup Visa. On the same day, the department will impose a complete pause on receiving applications for the Self-Employed Program.

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Changes in the start visa

Starting April 30, IRCC will modify the processing of applications under the Start-up Visa focusing on:
Limit the number of permanent residents accepted under this program by excluding applicants associated with no more than 10 startups per designated organization*; and
Provide priority processing to entrepreneurs whose startup is backed by Canadian capital or a business incubator that is a member of Canada Technology Network (including applications already submitted under the programme).

*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 a startup. Applicants under the Start-up visa will need the support of a designated organization to be eligible under the program.

Changes in the Self-Employed Workers program

IRCC has announced a complete pause in accepting applications for the self-employed program, which is scheduled to run until the end of 2026. As a result of a large number of applications within the program inventory, processing times have increased to more time. of four years.

During the temporary pause, IRCC will continue to finalize applications while seeking opportunities to continue reforming the program while maintaining its integrity.

About the programs

The start visa

The Canada Startup Visa Program allows foreign nationals who own (or co-own) a startup to immigrate and settle permanently in Canada, provided they:

Have a qualifying business;
Obtain a letter of support from a designated organization;
Meet language requirements; and
Bring enough money to settle in Canada.

For more information about the program, visit our dedicated webpage. here.

The Self-Employed Workers Program

The Self-Employed Workers program is a path towards permanent residence (PR) for self-employed foreign individuals with notable experience in arts, culture, recreation or sports, and who can contribute to the cultural vitality of Canada.

To be eligible, applicants must:

Have relevant experience;
Be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada;
Meet the program selection criteria; and
Comply with medical, safety and other preconditions.

For more information about the Self-Employed program, find our dedicated webpage here.

It should be noted that both programs are part of the “Federal Business“category of the immigration tiering planwhich will increase from an allocation of 5,000 newcomers to an allocation of 6,000 newcomers starting in 2025.

Speaking on April 29, Miller reiterated the need for more efficient processing for these flows:

“Expedited processing is critical to the success of entrepreneurs coming to Canada through our federal business programs. “These necessary changes will establish…faster processing times as we look toward further reforms to make these programs more sustainable and effective in the long term.”