As of January 1, 2026, Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program was paused, however, pending applications will continue to be processed. These pending applications are currently facing significant processing delays. With over 46,000 applications in the queue, many applicants are navigating extended timelines and uncertainty around when their files will be finalized.
Updated Priority Processing Framework
To manage inventory, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified how SUV applications are prioritized through updated Ministerial Instructions.
In simplified terms, applications are processed in three tiers:
- Tier 1 (highest priority): Applicants with at least one member of the entrepreneurial team holding a valid SUV-specific work permit and with a Letter of Support from a designated venture capital fund (who commits a $200,000 investment), angel investor group (who commits a $75,000 investment), or qualifying incubator (including certain Canada’s Tech Network
