Current reality
Program availability and intake rules change
Current-rule entrepreneur guidance
Business Immigration
Business immigration must be assessed against current program availability. Several federal business routes are paused or restricted, while provincial entrepreneur streams have their own active-management and investment requirements.
Possible direction
Provincial entrepreneur streams or valid legacy federal cases
Evidence focus
Ownership, management, net worth, source of funds and business plan
What this pathway requires
As of 2026, the federal Start-up Visa Program is paused for new commitment certificates and is open only to certain applicants holding valid 2025 commitments who apply by the stated deadline. The Self-Employed Persons Program is also paused. Provincial business streams may remain available under province-specific criteria.
How we structure the file
- Confirm whether the intended program is open
- Review ownership and senior-management experience
- Document net worth and source of funds
- Assess exploratory visits, language and settlement plans
- Build a business concept consistent with program criteria
Common application directions
Provincial entrepreneur streams
Requirements can include minimum net worth, investment, ownership, active management and job creation.
Start-up Visa legacy cases
Only certain applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates may still apply within the federal deadline.
Self-employed legacy matters
The federal Self-Employed Persons Program is paused, but existing files may still require support.
Business work permits
Some entrepreneurs may explore temporary work authorization under separate rules, depending on the facts.
A simple working sequence
From uncertainty to a document plan.
01
Review the facts
Confirm status, history, goals, timelines and the documents already available.
02
Confirm the route
Compare the relevant program requirements with the facts of the case.
03
Build the evidence file
Organize forms, proof and explanations so that the application tells one consistent story.
