Start-up Visa Program - Canada.ca
The Start-up Visa (SUV) Program has been officially paused. While entrepreneurs with valid 2025 commitment certificates may still apply for permanent residence until June 30, 2026, the program is otherwise closed. Crucially, designated organizations are now paused from submitting commitment certificates, removing the previous December 31, 2025 deadline. The program remains closed to new work permit applications, and the primary call-to-action has changed from starting an application to reviewing an existing one.
Official source
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html ↗Citations
Each citation is quoted verbatim from its source and links back to it. Navisa does not paraphrase the rule — read it as written.
“Paused To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, you must: - have a valid 2025 commitment certificate - apply by June 30, 2026 The program is closed to all other applications.”
“As of January 1, 2026, the Start-Up Visa Program is paused. We’ll stop accepting commitment certificates from organizations after December 31, 2025. Applicants with a valid 2025 commitment certificate must apply by June 30, 2026.”
“### Extend your work permit while you wait Closed to new applicants”
“### [Start-up Visa Paused](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html)”
“If we get a commitment certificate before January 1, 2026, you have 6 months to send us your application.”
“### Help an entrepreneur with their start-up Paused”
When a change lands, the engine re-checks the files it affects
Navisa is an AI file-prep engine for Canadian immigration firms. It reads the documents on a file, cross-checks them, runs the eligibility analysis against retrieved official sources, and flags what an officer would — citations attached. It does not replace the judgment of a licensed immigration professional; a consultant reviews and approves the work.
Navisa Prep is document-preparation software for individuals — cited comparisons and options, never advice. The Navisa platform is the case engine for licensed firms.