The federal Start-up Visa Program is closed to new applications, and the pause on the Self-Employed Persons Program is extended until further notice. Provincial entrepreneur streams are covered on our British Columbia and Alberta pages. Quebec runs its own business immigration programs through MIFI.
Current Program Intake Status
Business Immigration Pathways
Start-up Visa Program
Closed to new applications since December 31, 2025, except applicants with a valid 2025 designated-organization commitment who had not yet applied.
Learn moreSelf-Employed Persons Program
Pause on accepting applications extended until further notice.
Learn moreBC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
Base and Regional streams, one of the two BC PNP pathways. Requirements on our British Columbia page.
Learn moreAAIP Entrepreneur Streams
Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur, Rural Entrepreneur and Farm streams. Requirements on our Alberta page.
Learn moreRelated Immigration Pathways
- • Skilled work experience: Express Entry.
- • A Canadian employer hiring you: LMIA-supported work permits.
- • Every province and territory: Provincial Nominee Program overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Start-up Visa Program still accepting applications?
No. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-up Visa applications on December 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. The only exception is applicants with a valid commitment from a designated organization made in 2025 who had not yet applied. Our Start-up Visa page quotes the IRCC notice of December 19, 2025.
Is the Self-Employed Persons Program open?
No. In its notice of December 19, 2025, IRCC extended the pause on accepting Self-Employed Persons Program applications until further notice. Our Self-Employed Persons page has the details.
Which provincial entrepreneur streams does this site cover?
Our British Columbia page covers BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration (Base and Regional streams), and our Alberta page covers the four AAIP entrepreneur streams: Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur, Rural Entrepreneur and Farm. Each page gives the current requirements with links to the province.
Is there a federal investor program?
No. The Federal Investor Immigration Program is permanently closed, and no pathway exists at the federal level for passive investors.
Who runs Quebec business immigration programs?
Quebec's investor and entrepreneur programs are set by the Ministère de l'Immigration du Québec (MIFI), not IRCC. Status and intake windows should be verified directly with MIFI.
Last reviewed by Amer Rehman, RCIC (R515343): October 13, 2026.
Information provided is general in nature and current as of the page's last update. Immigration laws, processing times, eligibility criteria, and program requirements are subject to change per IRCC policy updates. This page does not constitute legal advice. Specific cases require individual consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Amer Rehman is an RCIC (R515343), member in good standing with CICC.