[Help] SUV founder – Initial WP was closed, extension refused, now trying Restoration + A75 OWP

[SungLab]

Hi everyone,


I’m an SUV (Start-up Visa) founder (applied July 2023).
When I entered Canada last year (Aug 2024), I received a 1-year closed work permit (not an open permit).
So I applied for an extension this year (Jun 2025).
But IRCC refused the extension because the closed work permit category requires employer information, which I don’t have as a founder. (Reasons from the refusal

1. Before applying for a work permit, the employer must submit an Offer of Employment through the employer portal.
2. The employer must pay the $230 employer compliance fee.

Now IRCC says my status is expired → restoration required, and I believe the correct category for SUV founders is the A75 Open Work Permit.
However:

• Restoration questions do not appear in my IRCC account
• The A75 OWP option does not appear
• My refused extension application (closed WP) is still in my account and can’t be deleted

Q. Has anyone with a closed initial WP successfully done Restoration + A75?
Any guidance would help a lot — the restoration deadline is approaching.
My issue is that when I try to apply online:

• Restoration questions never show up
• A75 OWP never appears
• The refused closed WP file is still stuck in my account
• The system keeps pushing me toward the A77 (closed WP) flow again, I think

For example, the only answers that let me continue are things like:

“Current status: Worker”
“Do you have a written job offer: Yes”

And in Supporting Documents it still asks for:

“Proof that you meet the requirements of the job being offered,”

which obviously doesn’t apply to SUV founders.

(Last time I uploaded a self-made “job offer letter,” which ended up causing the refusal.)

This time, in IMM5710 I can actually choose “Open Work Permit,” which matches the official instruction here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...ate-canada/start-visa/work-permits/apply.html — and I didn’t do it that way when I got rejected before, so I’m wondering if this means I’m finally on the right track.


Thanks.