Background

Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, as outlined by IRCC, is designed to attract immigrant entrepreneurs with the talent and drive to establish innovative businesses that:

create jobs for Canadians
compete on a global scale
are innovative

Originally launched as a pilot in 2013, the program became permanent in 2018. Qualifying applicants receive permanent residency if they meet eligibility requirements and secure support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.

Summary of Petition

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the Government of Canada—regardless of political affiliation—to accelerate the processing of Start-Up Visa applications submitted by qualified entrepreneurs, many of whom have been waiting since 2019 for their cases to be finalized.

Recent developments, including abrupt policy shifts prioritizing certain designated organizations and extended security checks, have only added to the backlog and uncertainty. These founders have already obtained Letters of Support from recognized Canadian investment or incubation organizations.

As a result, an increasing number of high-potential start-ups are stuck in limbo, depriving Canada of crucial innovation and economic growth. While the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program has significant potential—particularly during times of economic uncertainty and trade tariffs—its prolonged delays now risk undermining both its purpose and impact.

 The Issues

Processing times for SUV applications have increased dramatically in recent years:

2018–2019: 12–16 months
2022: 32 months
2024: 43 months
2025: 52+ months

Additional challenges include:

• Prolonged work permit processing for many countries
• Rejections for business visitor visas
• A policy change announced on April 29, 2024, which prioritizes applications supported by members of Canada’s Tech Network or those with —unfairly delaying earlier applications that lacked these prioritizations at the time of submission
• Extended background checks, often holding up entire groups of co-founders even when only one member remains under review

These issues have caused widespread uncertainty, both personally and professionally. Entrepreneurs are unable to plan careers, grow their businesses, or meet with investors due to stalled immigration decisions.

As the saying goes: “Uncertainty is the enemy of business.”

 Why Delays Are Harmful

Delays of multiple years are fundamentally incompatible with the nature of early-stage entrepreneurship. This ineffective system:

• Jeopardizes years of founder effort and R&D
• Disrupts investor timelines and capital allocation
• Damages Canada’s reputation as a global innovation leader
• Discourages future founders from choosing Canada

Start-ups cannot simply pick up where they left off after years of stagnation. Market opportunities, investor trust, and team momentum are lost.

Examples of Immigrant-Led Success in Canada

Canada has already benefited enormously from immigrant entrepreneurs. Notable examples include:

• ApplyBoard – Founded by Iranian immigrants; now a $4B edtech company in Ontario
• Shopify – Co-founded by an immigrant from Germany; a pillar of Canada's tech economy

These companies have created thousands of jobs and attracted international capital—demonstrating the value of supporting immigrant founders from the outset.

 The Human Impact

Behind every application are real people—entrepreneurs and their families—whose lives have been on hold for years. The psychological toll is immense. Long delays disrupt family planning, education, careers, and financial stability. This burden is especially acute for applicants living in politically unstable regions.

 Our Requests

With the utmost respect, we call upon the Government of Canada to urgently:

1. Fast-track all SUV applications
2. Expedite work permits and business visitor visas for SUV founders
3. Ensure transparency in communication regarding file status and processing timelines
4. Mitigate the negative impact of recent policy changes on applicants who were not subject to the new priority rules
5. Modernize and streamline the background check process for SUV applicant

Why Action is Needed Now 

This is not a partisan issue—it affects:

• Canadian investors and incubators losing confidence in the process
• Entrepreneurs whose businesses are collapsing due to prolonged delays
• Canada’s innovation sector, which risks falling behind globally
• The country’s reputation as a welcoming, opportunity-rich destination for global talent

It is our sincere hope that the federal government and all Members of Parliament, regardless of affiliation, will take action to restore the Start-Up Visa program to its former integrity and effectiveness. By doing so, we can uphold Canada’s values of innovation, fairness and global leadership in the start-up sector.