If you dream of building a business in Canada, 2026 is a year of change. The two federal programs for entrepreneurs are paused, and IRCC has said a new, more targeted program for immigrant entrepreneurs is on the way. Quebec runs its own business programs, and those are open. This guide explains each one plainly, so you know where you stand and what to prepare.
Where each program stands
| Program | Status | If you already applied |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up Visa | Paused since June 30, 2026 | Still processed |
| Start-up Visa work permit | Closed to new applicants since December 19, 2025 | Current holders may be able to extend |
| Self-Employed Persons | Paused since April 30, 2024, until further notice | Still processed |
| Quebec business programs | Open: apply at any time | Not affected |
If your federal application is already in the queue
- IRCC keeps processing Start-up Visa and Self-Employed applications it accepted before each pause.
- Permanent residence applications from people in Canada with a Start-up Visa work permit are being prioritized.
- If you already hold a Start-up Visa work permit, you may be able to extend it while your permanent residence application is processed.
- In its November 5, 2026 levels announcement, IRCC said provinces and territories will be able to identify people waiting in the closed business programs for a one-time workers cohort in 2027.
- Federal business fees are $2,495 for you and $1,590 for a spouse or partner, both including the right of permanent residence fee, and $270 for each child.
Quebec’s business programs
Quebec chooses its own business immigrants. Once Quebec selects you, it issues a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), and you then apply to IRCC for permanent residence. All three programs ask for spoken French at level 7 on the Québec scale.
| Program | Net worth | Experience | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor | At least $2,000,000 | 2 years of management in the last 5 | A 5-year, government-guaranteed investment of $1,000,000 plus a $200,000 contribution, and a 12-month stay in Quebec |
| Entrepreneur (start-up stream) | At least $600,000 | 2 years of management in the last 5 | Spend $300,000 on the business in the Montréal area or $150,000 elsewhere, and own at least 25% |
| Self-employed worker | At least $100,000 | 2 years of self-employment in the last 5 | A start-up deposit of $50,000 in the Montréal area or $25,000 elsewhere |
Quebec’s review fee is $18,241 for an investor and $1,272 for an entrepreneur or self-employed worker, plus $201 for a spouse and for each child in those two programs. The entrepreneur program also has a stream for innovative businesses backed by a recognized support organization, and a stream for taking over an existing business.
Planning your next step
- 01
Check whether you are already in a queue
If you applied to a federal business program before its pause, keep your contact details and documents current with IRCC.
- 02
Consider Quebec if it fits your life
Quebec’s programs are open, but they expect real roots: French at level 7 and, for investors, a year living in the province.
- 03
Look at other routes
Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Programs and work permits can also lead to permanent residence. Our Pathway finder shows the ones open today.
- 04
Watch for the new entrepreneur program
IRCC will announce any new business pathway on its own pages and news releases. Wait for that official word before you plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply to the Start-up Visa?
No. It closed to new applications on June 30, 2026. Only people with a valid 2025 commitment certificate could apply up to that date.
When will the Self-Employed Persons Program reopen?
IRCC has not given a date. The pause that began on April 30, 2024 was extended until further notice in December 2025.
I applied to the Start-up Visa years ago. Is my file lost?
No. IRCC is still processing the applications it accepted before the pause, and it named people waiting in the business programs in its plans for 2027.
Do I need French for Quebec’s business programs?
Yes. The investor, entrepreneur and self-employed worker programs all ask for spoken French at level 7 on the Québec scale.
You don’t have to face the wait alone.
Thousands of people have shared their real timelines so the next person isn’t left guessing in the dark. Add yours, keep your own application and your family’s together in one place, and see a grounded estimate of how long your decision might take, drawn from people who are walking the same path.
- Share your timeline and help the next applicant find their footing.
- Track your own and your family’s applications together, in one calm place.
- See a realistic estimate of your wait, based on people on the same journey.
It’s free, and what you track stays private to you. Sharing your timeline with the community is always your choice.
Key takeaways
- The Start-up Visa closed to new applications on June 30, 2026, and the Self-Employed program has been paused since April 30, 2024.
- Applications already received are still processed, and IRCC named them in its plans for 2027.
- Quebec’s investor, entrepreneur and self-employed programs accept applications at any time.
- IRCC: Start-up Visa Program (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Self-Employed Persons Program (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Update on immigration measures for entrepreneurs (December 19, 2025) (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Quebec business immigration (opens in a new tab)
- Québec: Business immigration (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed: Nov 8, 2026