Startup Visa Program Timeline

[RonaldoNazario]

Hi everyone.
Does anyone has a clue or an idea what is going to happen with this program? I applied since 2021. And my last communication with IRCC was nearly 2 years ago.
I’m aware about the c-12 and the reduction of the numbers in this stream.
Any rumors news or updates would be much appreciated.

 

[Fiat@fifo]

Hi everyone.
Does anyone has a clue or an idea what is going to happen with this program? I applied since 2021. And my last communication with IRCC was nearly 2 years ago.
I’m aware about the c-12 and the reduction of the numbers in this stream.
Any rumors news or updates would be much appreciated.

HI,
Which month in 2021 was it (Exact timeline)? Did you receive a PAL? Which designated organization gave you your Letter of Support?

 

[Fiat@fifo]

Yesterday, I came across a YouTube video from a law firm specializing in Canadian business immigration, particularly the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program. While the video is about a month old, I thought it would be valuable to outline its key points here, as it might benefit someone in this community.

Summary of a recent video by a Canadian business immigration law firm (specializing in the Start‑up Visa Program):

Key data (from an Access‑to‑Information request):

• Since early 2025, SUV application activity has dropped sharply: applications received down 87%, processed down 92%, and approved down 98%.
• Reported approval rate: around 23% (compared to roughly 93% last year).
• SUV work permit applications decreased only about 27% (from 695 to 505).

Main thesis:
The firm believes this dramatic decline reflects a change in IRCC’s processing methodology rather than a real drop in demand or program failure. They describe the shift as “strategic processing” or a restructured intake and triage system.

Three possible processing changes:

1. Intake and triage restructuring: IRCC may now count an application as “received” only after all team members and background checks are complete. This would make the official received numbers look lower even if people are still applying.
2. Fast refusals: Incomplete, abandoned, or clearly ineligible applications may be refused more quickly to clear the backlog.
3. Complex files on hold: Strong or complex applications might be held for extended review and processed later.

Implications for applicants:

• The reported 23% approval rate is misleading since it likely reflects only the current subset of processed files, not the long‑term success rate.
• Well‑prepared or complex cases may face longer processing times due to deeper scrutiny and deprioritization compared with easy refusals.
• Overall approval trends could improve once IRCC finishes this backlog cycle (the firm refers to about 17,000 pending applications).
• Strong applicants should stay patient, maintain updated files, and consider backup or complementary immigration strategies.

Practical advice:

• Keep the startup active and in good standing.
• Update IRCC about ownership, business progress, or structural changes.
• Explore alternative business‑immigration routes if delays persist.
• The firm refers viewers to articles on its website (sovos.com) and offers consultation services.

Tone and outlook:
The presenters describe their findings as a developing hypothesis and commit to providing updates as more data becomes available.

 

[Fiat@fifo]

I came across an article from IMI (Investment Migration Insider), a publication that covers global investment-related immigration programs. The article mentions that Canada will continue the Start-Up Visa program and has set an annual target of around 500 applications, with an official range of 250–1,000. It also highlights that a portion of applicants may receive faster processing.

 

[nanoxide]

I came across an article from IMI (Investment Migration Insider), a publication that covers global investment-related immigration programs. The article mentions that Canada will continue the Start-Up Visa program and has set an annual target of around 500 applications, with an official range of 250–1,000. It also highlights that a portion of applicants may receive faster processing.

Probably, they'll be priority list incubator startups only.

 

[BigDreamBoy]

Probably, they'll be priority list incubator startups only.

I think incubator backed applications will be returned like OINP Skilled pathway

 

[Fiat@fifo]

I think incubator backed applications will be returned like OINP Skilled pathway

I think incubator backed applications will be returned like OINP Skilled pathway

I hope not. I believe this could not happen unless the C12 bill passes. If it passes in its current form, any applicant from any program should be afraid.

 

[Aces]

New minister is extremely focused on corruption and fraud. When she talks about it, you can literally see how excited she gets about catching people abusing the system. So it’s obvious they already know what’s happening with these “VC” and “Angel” cases where applicants pay money and get backed in return. That’s straight-up corruption, and honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if they start prosecuting some of these retrospectively.

Incubators are not completely innocent either. Even in the priority stream, some of them work quietly with immigration consultants and benefit from the same corruption chain. Maybe cleaner than VCs and angels, but still questionable. And who knows, IRCC might wake up one morning and pull something like this:

https://immigration.ca/ontario-susp...d-trades-stream-and-returns-all-applications/

 

[Fiat@fifo]

Probably, they'll be priority list incubator startups only.

Immigration in Canada is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces, each operating within their own jurisdiction. Provinces have the authority to manage and adjust their own immigration programs to address local needs without requiring federal parliamentary approval, as these modifications only affect their provincial selection processes. Meanwhile, federal immigration programs are governed by federal law, and any significant changes or cancellations typically require approval by the federal Parliament since they impact the entire country. Both levels of government collaborate through agreements and ongoing consultations to ensure the system functions effectively across the nation. This division allows provinces flexibility in selecting immigrants suited to their labour market, while the federal government oversees national immigration policy, admission criteria, and overall program integrity.

For instance, in 2014, the cancellation of Immigrant Investor Program, required parliamentary approval since these were federal initiatives rather than provincial ones.

 

[Fiat@fifo]

New minister is extremely focused on corruption and fraud. When she talks about it, you can literally see how excited she gets about catching people abusing the system. So it’s obvious they already know what’s happening with these “VC” and “Angel” cases where applicants pay money and get backed in return. That’s straight-up corruption, and honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if they start prosecuting some of these retrospectively.

Incubators are not completely innocent either. Even in the priority stream, some of them work quietly with immigration consultants and benefit from the same corruption chain. Maybe cleaner than VCs and angels, but still questionable. And who knows, IRCC might wake up one morning and pull something like this:

https://immigration.ca/ontario-susp...d-trades-stream-and-returns-all-applications/

I think IRCC views VCs, angels, and a few incubators as having fewer issues than others. Your information is not correct.

 

[RonaldoNazario]

With 2115 PRs landed from Jan to Sept 2025 under SE and SUV, IRCC has reached 105.8% of the 2025 annual target in the first three quarters. 725 under SE and 1390 under SUV

 

[VTMan]

With 2115 PRs landed from Jan to Sept 2025 under SE and SUV, IRCC has reached 105.8% of the 2025 annual target in the first three quarters. 725 under SE and 1390 under SUV

Please confirm your source.
I didn't't find any publicly available data to verify count 2115 PRs. Skilled Worker + SUV are economic contributors, but splitting exactly how many landings came from each is not straightforward with publicly reported data.
And, SUV will be certain to be a very small slice of 2025 admissions.

 

[Fiat@fifo]

With 2115 PRs landed from Jan to Sept 2025 under SE and SUV, IRCC has reached 105.8% of the 2025 annual target in the first three quarters. 725 under SE and 1390 under SUV

If those numbers are accurate, then there’s still some room for more later this year.

 

[Ash134]

https://we.tl/t-HHqP5BDiIM

Please confirm your source.
I didn't't find any publicly available data to verify count 2115 PRs. Skilled Worker + SUV are economic contributors, but splitting exactly how many landings came from each is not straightforward with publicly reported data.
And, SUV will be certain to be a very small slice of 2025 admissions.

 

[Ash134]

https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/9b34e712-513f-44e9-babf-9df4f7256550