Canada: Restrictions to Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Programs Announced
April 29, 2024
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced several restrictions to Canada’s federal business programs to help reduce processing times and application backlogs. Effective April 30, 2024, IRCC will implement a cap on the number of permanent residence applications it will accept for processing each year under the Start-up Visa Program to 10 start-ups per Designated Organization. By way of background, to qualify for the Start-up Visa program, the applicant’s business or venture must get support from a designated organization in Canada. Designated organizations are venture capital funds, angel investor groups or business incubators, approved by the Canadian government to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program. Currently, there is no cap on how many start-ups/applications a designated organization can support. Furthermore, IRCC announced that it will prioritize Start-Up Visa applications in the venture capital and angel investor streams, as well as applications supported by a business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network, over others. Also effective April 30, 2024, IRCC will suspend the acceptance of new applications under the Self-Employed Persons Program to focus on applications from the backlogs (due to the high volume, processing times have increased beyond four years) and assess options for reforming the program.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis addresses common misconceptions surrounding the EU Blue Card.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello-Cortés shares how Irish businesses should prepare for an increase in government compliance inspections.
Blog post
In part one of this three-part blog series, Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Karin Turra and Immigration Paralegal Josh Beynon discuss climate change, immigration and the UK within the context of the space sector.
Media mentions
Director Kathleen O’Donnell discusses how certain non-EU countries can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme.
Video
#FragomenFC podcast hosts and special guests discuss South American football and this summer’s Copa America, hosted for only the second time in the US.
Fragomen news
Senior Associate Prema Roddam is recognized as a NJ Innovate100 Leader for her efforts in driving legal services innovation in New Jersey.
Blog post
This blog covers the logistics of planning multi-month European tours for American artists, focusing on the often-overlooked aspect of immigration regulations and the challenges they pose.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses necessary changes to the UK immigration system to help businesses thrive.
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.
Video
Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis addresses common misconceptions surrounding the EU Blue Card.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello-Cortés shares how Irish businesses should prepare for an increase in government compliance inspections.
Blog post
In part one of this three-part blog series, Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Karin Turra and Immigration Paralegal Josh Beynon discuss climate change, immigration and the UK within the context of the space sector.
Media mentions
Director Kathleen O’Donnell discusses how certain non-EU countries can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme.
Video
#FragomenFC podcast hosts and special guests discuss South American football and this summer’s Copa America, hosted for only the second time in the US.
Fragomen news
Senior Associate Prema Roddam is recognized as a NJ Innovate100 Leader for her efforts in driving legal services innovation in New Jersey.
Blog post
This blog covers the logistics of planning multi-month European tours for American artists, focusing on the often-overlooked aspect of immigration regulations and the challenges they pose.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses necessary changes to the UK immigration system to help businesses thrive.
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.