Canada Start-up Visa: Closed to New Applicants
Canada stopped accepting new Start-up Visa applications at 11:59 pm on 31 December 2025. The Self-Employed Persons Program has been paused since 30 April 2024 and remains closed. The government has said a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs will replace them, with details to be announced in 2026.
If a consultant is offering you a Canada Start-up Visa today, be careful. The programme is not open.
What happened
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 30 April 2024 | Self-Employed Persons Program paused |
| 19 December 2025 | New work permits for Start-up Visa applicants stopped, except extensions for those already in Canada |
| 31 December 2025 | Start-up Visa closed to new permanent residence applications |
| 30 June 2026 | Final date for applicants who already held a 2025 commitment from a designated organisation |
| 2026 | Details of a new entrepreneur pilot to be announced |
Why it closed
The programme had far more applications than places. Official estimates put the wait for permanent residence at around ten years. Canada said the closure would help it clear that backlog and move to a smaller programme aimed at founders with stronger businesses.
Applications already submitted are still being processed, with priority for founders who are in Canada and actively running their companies.
Routes still open to Indian entrepreneurs
Provincial entrepreneur streams
Several provinces nominate people who start or buy a business there. They are now the main route to permanent residence for business owners. Most work in two stages: you arrive on a work permit, run the business for a set period, meet the agreed investment and job-creation terms, and are then nominated.
Expect to need:
- A minimum personal net worth and a minimum investment, set by each province and often lower outside the largest cities
- Business ownership or senior management experience
- A business plan the province approves
- An exploratory visit in many cases
- Basic English or French
British Columbia, Nova Scotia and other provinces run active entrepreneur streams. Requirements differ widely, so compare them for your sector and budget.
The entrepreneur work permit
A work permit in the significant-benefit category lets you come to Canada to start or buy a business you will actively run. It needs no LMIA. It is temporary, and it is commonly used as the first stage of a provincial entrepreneur nomination or to build Canadian experience for Express Entry.
Intra-company transfer
If you own an established company in India, you can open a Canadian branch and transfer yourself as an executive or senior manager. The Indian business must be real and continuing, and the Canadian operation must be viable.
Express Entry as a skilled worker
Many founders also qualify as skilled workers. If you have strong English or French and your experience fits a skilled occupation, PR through Express Entry can be faster than any business route, and once you are a permanent resident you can start any business you like.
The new entrepreneur pilot
No eligibility rules had been published when this page was last reviewed. From government statements, expect a smaller, more selective programme focused on high-growth businesses. We will update this page when details are released.
Which route suits you?
| Your situation | Route to look at first |
|---|---|
| You want to buy or start a small or mid-sized business in a specific province | That province’s entrepreneur stream |
| You run an established company in India and want a Canadian arm | Intra-company transfer |
| You are a founder with a strong professional profile and good English or French | Express Entry |
| You have a high-growth technology start-up | Wait for the new pilot, and consider the entrepreneur work permit meanwhile |
Questions people ask us most
Can I still apply for the Canada Start-up Visa?
No. It closed to new applicants on 31 December 2025.
I applied before the closure. What happens to my file?
It stays in processing. Founders in Canada who are actively running their businesses are being prioritised.
Is the Self-Employed Persons Program open?
No. It has been paused since April 2024.
How much do I need to invest for a provincial entrepreneur stream?
It depends on the province and location. Each province publishes its minimum net worth and investment.
Does Canada have an investor visa?
There is no federal passive investor programme. Business immigration in Canada requires you to run the business.
Get honest advice on business immigration
Tell us about your business, your budget and where in Canada you want to be. We will tell you which routes are open and which are not.