Canadian employers seeking to recruit international talent have being urged to consider alternative immigration pathways, such as the global talent stream or C-11 significant-benefit work permits (or international mobility programme), pending the release of details for the 2026 start-up visa pilot.
The guidance follows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s announcement that the start-up visa program will close to new applications, and the issuance of start-up visa-linked work permits will cease from December 31, 2025.
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About the alternative immigration pathways
The global talent stream mentioned earler, is part of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program, offering fast-track work permits (within 2 weeks) for highly skilled foreign workers in tech and other innovative sectors, helping Canadian employers fill critical, in-demand roles quickly. It has two categories: Category A for unique, specialised talent referred by partners, and Category B for roles on the global talent occupations list, requiring employers to commit to labour market benefits.
On the other hand, the C-11 significant-benefit work permits, also known as the international mobility program, lets foreign entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals run or buy a business in Canada without needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if the venture brings significant economic, social, or cultural benefits, like creating jobs, boosting innovation, or supporting community development, offering a temporary pathway to Canada with potential for longer stays and family inclusion.
Officials say the pause of the start-up visa is intended to provide the department with room to tackle a mounting backlog, which had grown to more than 5,200 files by the end of October, and to develop a “more focused” pathway for high-potential entrepreneurial candidates.
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Entrepreneurs struggle as Canada reassesses start-up visa programme
The start-up visa programme was launched in 2013 to attract foreign entrepreneurs endorsed by Canadian venture capital funds, angel investors or incubators, and had become a flagship business immigration stream.
However, processing times had stretched beyond 37 months, and critics argued that many approved projects lacked scalability or sufficient Canadian job-creation potential. Last year, just 1,090 permanent-resident visas were issued under the scheme, well below the annual cap of 2,750.
Last month, IRCC confirmed that it was re-evaluating the programme, noting. “We are reviewing the programmes and exploring options for ensuring that this programme selects the best entrepreneurs to drive innovation, competitiveness and job creation in Canada,” IRCC stated.
The announcement came amid growing frustration from foreign founders, some of whom have faced processing times of up to ten years to obtain permanent residency, according to a tool launched earlier this year to estimate start-up visa timelines. For several entrepreneurs, the prolonged delays became untenable, prompting departures from Canada.
Many entrepreneurs globally moved to Canada expecting to establish companies, raise capital, and secure permanent residency for their families. Instead, they now find themselves in limbo.
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Data is unavailable to indicate how many Nigerians moved to Canada via the start-up visa programm. However, one high-profile case is from an Indian national, Maulik Pandya, chief executive and founder of Eatance, who shared on LinkedIn that he and his family were leaving the country after years of bureaucratic hurdles. “We are leaving Canada. We made this decision through tears. We are dissolving our beautiful nest we built with love as a family of four with two wonderful daughters,” He wrote.
“We did not come to this lightly. We have spent many sleepless nights, cried, and watched our mental and physical health fade,” he added.
Pandya highlighted how the red tape affected both his company and his children’s education. Despite contributing to the local economy by paying taxes and creating jobs, he described the system as a series of delays and “traps” that ultimately forced the family to reconsider their future.
“Many countries provide a single window for startups and for businesses. In Canada, we met delays and traps. It felt as if our innocent children became targets. That is our lived experience,” he said. “Our decision is simple. We are not asking for anything more. We are closing this chapter and moving forward for the sake of our children and our peace.”
The impact of the start-up visa programme pause extends beyond Pandya’s family. His post drew hundreds of responses from founders facing similar challenges.
Among the issues cited by affected entrepreneurs, is the inability to scale their businesses, restrictions on international travel, and uncertainty over how long they can remain in Canada
The ongoing reassessment by IRCC signals that the government is seeking to streamline the programme and prioritise high-potential applicants, but for many founders, the wait has already taken a personal and financial toll.
Under the new framework, commitment certificates dated in 2025 will remain valid, but candidates must submit applications by June 30, 2026. IRCC has also extended its freeze on the self-employed persons program, signalling a broader re-evaluation of legacy business immigration streams. Officials indicate that the forthcoming pilot, expected in the first half of 2026, will likely require higher verified investment, clearer commercialisation milestones, and third-party due-diligence audits.
For multinational companies, the suspension means founders already working under start-up visa permits may renew existing permits, but no new work-permit applications will be accepted.
