Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced significant adjustments to Canada’s federal business programs aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing application backlogs. These alterations, effective April 30, 2024, signify a proactive step towards streamlining immigration processes.
To enhance the Start-up Visa Program, specific measures will be implemented to ensure focused attention on the most promising ventures:
- A cap will be instituted on the number of permanent residence applications processed annually, limiting them to ventures associated with a maximum of 10 start-ups per designated organization.
- Priority processing will be granted to entrepreneurs whose start-ups receive support from Canadian capital or accredited business incubators within Canada’s Tech Network, both for existing applications and new submissions.
Additionally, Minister Miller announced a temporary suspension of application intake for the Self-Employed Persons Program, commencing April 30, 2024. This pause aims to address the substantial backlog of applications accumulated over time. The Self-Employed Persons Program serves individuals with notable expertise in art, culture, recreation, or sports, facilitating their contribution to Canada’s cultural vibrancy. Given the prolonged processing times, which now exceed four years due to the program’s popularity, this pause will allow the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus on clearing the existing backlog while exploring avenues for program enhancement to uphold its integrity.
By implementing a temporary halt on application intake until the end of 2026, coupled with planned increases in admissions for the federal business category outlined in the 2024–2026 multi-year levels plan, the IRCC aims to expedite backlog clearance and minimize wait times. This strategic approach aligns with Canada’s commitment to welcoming skilled, innovative, and entrepreneurial immigrants vital for fostering economic growth.
“Fast processing is critical to the success of entrepreneurs who come to Canada through our federal business programs. These necessary changes will set the Startup Visa Program and Self-Employed Persons Program on the path to faster processing times while we look ahead to further reforms to make these programs more sustainable and effective over the long term.” – Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
