In late December 2025, Canada’s business immigration landscape underwent its most dramatic shift in a decade. The government has officially moved away from “passive” investment and broad start-up programs to a highly selective, “active” entrepreneurship model.

If you are looking to invest or start a business in Canada for 2026, here is the new reality:

1. The “Start-Up Visa” (SUV) – Suspended

The traditional Start-Up Visa program as we knew it has effectively ended.

• Application Pause: As of December 31, 2025, IRCC has stopped accepting new permanent residence applications for the SUV.

• The 2026 “Entrepreneur Pilot”: A new, highly selective program will launch in 2026. It is expected to focus strictly on high-impact sectors like AI, Clean-Tech, and Quantum Computing.

• Work Permit Shutdown: The optional open work permit previously given to SUV applicants was permanently cancelled on December 19, 2025. New founders can no longer move to Canada to start their business while their PR is processing.

2. The C11 “Significant Benefit” Work Permit

With the SUV on pause, the C11 Work Permit has become the primary route for business owners. This is an LMIA-exempt permit for those who want to start or buy a business.

• The 51% Rule: New 2025 regulations require you to own at least 51% of the Canadian business (previously it was 50%).

• Significant Benefit: You must prove your business will create jobs for Canadians or bring specialized technology to a specific region.

• Dual Intent: You must now provide much stronger evidence of temporary intent (ties to your home country), even if your long-term goal is Permanent Residency (PR).

3. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Business Streams

Since federal programs are restricted, provinces are now the main gateway for investors.12 Most require a “Work Permit First” approach.

| Province | Min. Net Worth | Min. Investment | Key Requirement |

| Ontario (OINP) | $400k – $800k | $200k – $600k | Must create 2 full-time jobs for Canadians. |

| BC (BCPNP) | $600k | $200k | Higher priority for businesses outside Metro Vancouver. |

| Saskatchewan | $500k | $200k – $300k | Must live in the community and manage the business daily. |

4. Self-Employed Persons Program – On Ice

The federal program for world-class artists and athletes remains paused until at least 2027. IRCC is currently clearing a backlog of over 40,000 cases and is not accepting any new applicants from any country.

5. Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)

If you own a successful business in your home country, you can open a branch office in Canada and transfer yourself as an executive.

• Requirement: Your foreign company must have been active for at least 12 months and have the financial ability to support a Canadian expansion.

• Benefit: This is often the fastest way to get a work permit (2–3 months) and can eventually lead to PR through the Executive Express Entry stream.

Summary Table for 2026 Planning