As of December 19, 2025, IRCC has permanently stopped accepting new applications for the Start-up Visa (SUV) work permit. Only extension applications for founders already in Canada on an existing SUV-specific work permit are accepted. Furthermore, in late 2024, this optional permit was transitioned from a closed permit to a 3-year open work permit, eliminating the employer compliance fee.
Waiting for a permanent residence decision can be frustrating for ambitious entrepreneurs. Previously, if you secured backing from a Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator under the Start-up Visa (SUV) program, you could apply to move to Canada immediately. However, due to recent regulatory shifts by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including the closure of the SUV program to new applicants on January 1, 2026, and the suspension of new SUV work permit applications on December 19, 2025, only individuals extending their existing permits can currently access this pathway.
Securing a work permit under the Start-up Visa program was historically a closed, employer-specific process that required coordinating portals and compliance fees. 📋 However, in October 2024, IRCC transitioned this optional permit to an open work permit valid for up to 3 years, allowing founders to supplement their income with other employment. Today, with the pathway closed to new applicants, only founders already established in Canada can seek extensions to maintain their status while their permanent residency application is finalized.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Applying for a work permit under the Start-up Visa program involves satisfying both business and personal immigration requirements. Because this program has been paused by IRCC, the remaining avenues apply exclusively to grandfathered applicants and those seeking extensions.
Step 1: Understand the Program Pause and Grandfathered Applications
The entire federal Start-up Visa Program was officially paused to new applicants on January 1, 2026, and designated organizations stopped issuing Commitment Certificates after December 31, 2025. 📖 If you obtained a valid certificate in 2025, you had until June 30, 2026, to file your permanent residence (PR) application. If you met this crucial PR deadline, your application is grandfathered and will continue to be processed, allowing you to remain eligible for work permit extensions.
Step 2: Transition from Closed to Open Work Permits
Under the program’s older guidelines, founders had to secure a closed, employer-specific A75 work permit, which required their startup to submit an Offer of Employment in the Employer Portal and pay a $230 CAD compliance fee. In October 2024, IRCC eliminated these closed permit requirements and transitioned the SUV work permit into an open work permit. Consequently, founders seeking extensions no longer require their company to pay the $230 CAD compliance fee or utilize the Employer Portal.
Step 3: Prove You Have Sufficient Settlement Funds
To extend an existing SUV open work permit, founders must still prove they can financially support themselves and their families in Canada without government assistance. 💰 You must present liquid, unencumbered settlement funds that meet the federal Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size. These funds must be completely separate from any capital invested in your startup and must be verifiable via recent Canadian bank statements.
Step 4: Prepare the Work Permit Extension Application
If you are already in Canada on an SUV work permit, you must apply to extend your status before your current permit expires. You will compile your open work permit extension application online through your IRCC portal. The application must include your original Letter of Support, proof of settlement funds, and your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) showing your grandfathered PR application is actively in process.
Step 5: Provide Biometrics and Maintain Admissibility
To complete your extension, you must ensure your biometrics are up to date (they remain valid for 10 years). 🤖 Depending on your duration of stay and any travel history, you may also need to undergo an updated Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with an IRCC panel physician to prove you remain admissible to Canada.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Budgeting for your stay in Canada is essential. Since the SUV work permit transitioned to an open work permit (and is now restricted to extensions), the corporate employer compliance fee has been eliminated, but the personal open work permit holder fee applies.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Processing Fee | $155 | The standard IRCC fee for processing a work permit extension application. |
| Open Work Permit Holder Fee | $100 | The mandatory holder fee for open work permits, paid alongside the processing fee. |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 | Mandatory fee for fingerprinting and digital photos if yours have expired. |
| Immigration Lawyer Fees | $2,000 – $4,500+ | Law firm fees to manage extensions, draft submission letters, and handle IRCC correspondence. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for processing grandfathered SUV permanent residence applications is exceptionally long, often exceeding several years due to a severe backlog of over 46,000 files. Fortunately, work permit extensions for founders already in Canada are processed much faster, typically taking 2 to 4 months. It is critical to apply for your extension at least 30 days before your current permit expires to maintain your legal status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I work for another company to earn extra money?
Yes. Under the rules implemented in late 2024, the SUV work permit became an open work permit. If you hold or extend this open permit, you are legally permitted to work for other employers in Canada to support yourself and fund your business.
Is the SUV program still accepting new applications?
No. The Start-up Visa Program officially paused on January 1, 2026. No new commitment certificates can be issued, and only grandfathered applicants with valid 2025 certificates who applied for PR by June 30, 2026, can continue.
Can I apply for a new SUV work permit if I don’t have one?
No. As of December 19, 2025, IRCC stopped accepting all new applications for the optional SUV work permit. Only extensions for founders currently in Canada on an active SUV-specific work permit are accepted.
What are the alternative pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs?
With the SUV program closed to new applicants, entrepreneurs must explore alternative pathways. The primary federal route is the C11 “Work Permit for Business Owners with Temporary Residence Intent,” or various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams.
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