Canada Start-Up Visa 2026: Current Status, Eligibility & Existing Applications

The Start-Up Visa is currently paused for new applicants. This guide explains the 2026 status, the rules relevant to applications already accepted, commitment certificates, designated-organization support, language, settlement funds, founder ownership and existing work permits.

What the Start-Up Visa Is and What Changed in 2026

Canada's Start-Up Visa is an economic immigration program for immigrant entrepreneurs whose qualifying business receives support from an IRCC-designated organization. The program is intended for businesses that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete globally. The key 2026 change is that the program is no longer open for a fresh application cycle. IRCC paused the program on June 30, 2026, stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025, and required holders of valid 2025 commitment certificates to submit their permanent-residence applications by June 30, 2026. IRCC continues processing applications received before that deadline.

Core Requirements for Eligible Existing Applications

For applications that fall within the program's existing intake, the entrepreneur must have a qualifying business, obtain a Letter of Support from a designated organization, meet the language requirement and show enough money to settle in Canada. An individual can apply alone or as part of an entrepreneurial group of up to five owners. Each applicant must hold at least 10% of the total voting rights, and the applicants together with the designated organization must hold more than 50% of the total voting rights.

Requirement	Current rule
Applicants per business	Maximum 5 owners/applicants
Individual voting rights	Each applicant must hold at least 10% of total voting rights
Combined voting rights	Applicants plus designated organization must hold more than 50% of total voting rights
Designated-organization support	Required Letter of Support from a designated organization
Language	Minimum CLB 5 in all 4 abilities
Settlement funds	Sufficient unborrowed settlement funds for the applicant and eligible family members

Designated Organizations, Letter of Support & Commitment Certificate

The designated-organization process uses two related documents. The entrepreneur receives a Letter of Support from the designated organization and includes it with the permanent-residence application. The designated organization separately sends a Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC. IRCC states that a Commitment Certificate is valid for six months after the date it is issued. The current program is paused, however, so new commitments are not being accepted. For existing eligible cases, the certificate and application deadlines remain critical.

Language Requirement

The applicant must demonstrate at least CLB 5 in all four language abilities: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The test must be from an IRCC-approved testing organization and the results must be less than two years old when the application is submitted. Approved English tests include CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. Approved French tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada.

Settlement Funds: Current IRCC Amounts

The Government of Canada does not provide settlement money to Start-Up Visa immigrants. Applicants must demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependants after arriving in Canada, and this money cannot be borrowed from another person. IRCC updates the minimum figures annually.

Permanent-Residence Application for Existing Eligible Applicants

For an existing eligible case, the Start-Up Visa permanent-residence application is submitted through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal. The current document requirements include the Letter of Support, language-test results, identity and civil-status documents, police certificates where required, photographs, the fee receipt and proof of funds, with the full document checklist determining the exact evidence required for the applicant's circumstances. Applicants must satisfy the applicable admissibility and immigration requirements in addition to the business-specific Start-Up Visa criteria.

SUV Work Permit: Closed to New Applicants

The optional Start-Up Visa open work permit is not currently available to new applicants. IRCC stopped accepting new applications for this optional SUV work permit on December 19, 2025. People who already hold an SUV work permit may be able to extend it while their permanent-residence application is being processed if they continue to satisfy the current eligibility requirements. For existing eligible applicants, IRCC also requires evidence such as the Letter of Support, proof that the PR application was submitted and proof of sufficient funds for support and business development.

Official Government & Institutional References

Frequently Asked Questions (6 Verified Answers)

No. IRCC paused the Start-Up Visa Program on June 30, 2026 and stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025. Applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates had to submit their permanent-residence applications by June 30, 2026. IRCC continues processing applications it received before that date.

There is no general minimum personal investment or personal net-worth requirement under the Start-Up Visa eligibility rules. The business must instead obtain qualifying support from an IRCC-designated organization. Venture capital, angel and incubator support have different program requirements.

The Letter of Support is given to the entrepreneur and must be included with the permanent-residence application. The designated organization sends the Commitment Certificate directly to IRCC. The Commitment Certificate is valid for six months from the date it is issued.

You need at least CLB 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking. For IELTS General Training, the CLB 5 minimum is Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Listening 5.0 and Speaking 5.0. Language-test results must be less than two years old when you apply.

IRCC's current published amount for one family member is $15,263 CAD. The amount increases with family size and is updated periodically. The money must be available to support the applicant and dependants and cannot be borrowed from another person.

No. IRCC stopped accepting new applications for the optional Start-Up Visa open work permit on December 19, 2025. Existing SUV work-permit holders may be able to extend their permits while their permanent-residence applications are being processed if they meet the current extension requirements.

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