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Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?

Canada's two federal business programs, the Start-up Visa and the Self-Employed Persons Program, are both paused to new applications, in IRCC's words. IRCC still processes Start-up Visa applications it accepted before June 30, 2026. A few questions find IRCC's own words for your situation.

Answer for your situation

Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 25, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.

What IRCC says, situation by situation

No

Not as a new applicant: the Start-up Visa is paused

In IRCC’s words:
“To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, you must: ... have a valid 2025 commitment certificate ... apply by June 30, 2026”
“The program is closed to all other applications.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
Yes

Yes: IRCC continues to process applications it accepted before June 30, 2026

In IRCC’s words:
“The Start-Up Visa Program was paused on June 30, 2026. We’ll continue to process applications we accepted before this date.”
“If you’re eligible, you can still apply for an open work permit so you can work while we process your application.”

IRCC: after you apply (biometrics, medical exam, decision)

Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
Yes, if eligible, while your PR application is processed.

You may be able to extend it while your permanent residence application is processed

In IRCC’s words:
“If you already have a work permit under the Start-up Visa Program, you may be able to extend it while your permanent residence application is being processed.”
“This open work permit ... is valid for up to 3 years ... lets you work as an entrepreneur to develop your business ... lets you work for almost any employer in Canada to supplement your income”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
No, but existing permit holders may be able to extend.

IRCC's work permit page says it closed to new applicants on December 19, 2025

IRCC's Start-up Visa program pages still say that eligible applicants can apply for an open work permit while their application is processed, but the work permit page itself says new applications closed on December 19, 2025. A lawyer or licensed consultant can check which applies to you.

In IRCC’s words:
“As of December 19, 2025, we’re no longer accepting new applications.”
“If you already have a work permit under the Start-up Visa Program, you may be able to extend it while your permanent residence application is being processed.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
No: the Start-up Visa was paused on June 30, 2026.

No: the program was paused on June 30, 2026, so meeting its requirements is not enough

In IRCC’s words:
“The Start-Up Visa Program was paused on June 30, 2026. We’ll continue to process applications we accepted before this date.”
“You can apply for the Start-up Visa Program as an individual or as part of a group of up to 5 owners. Either way, you need to meet certain requirements:”
“have a qualifying business ... get a letter of support from a designated organization ... meet the language requirements ... bring enough money to settle”
“each applicant must hold 10% or more of the total voting rights”
“applicants and the designated organization together must hold more than 50% of the total voting rights”
“The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. This is an immigration document used to evaluate your application.”
“As of April 1, 2024, we’ll only be considering 10 complete group applications per designated organization.”
“You need to take achieve Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking (English or French) to qualify for an SUV.”
“When you apply, you’ll need proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can’t borrow this money from another person.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
No: you must manage the business actively from inside Canada.

No: once approved, you must manage the business actively from inside Canada

The Start-up Visa pages we read don't say what happens if the business later fails. IRCC answers that question in its Help Centre (linked).

In IRCC’s words:
“If your application is successful, you need to ... incorporate your business in Canada ... provide active and ongoing management of your business from inside Canada ... make sure an essential part of business operations happens in Canada”

IRCC Help Centre: if I immigrate through the Start-up Visa Program, what happens if my business fails?

Source: IRCC, page dated July 21, 2026
Yes, but they act together and IRCC gets one commitment certificate.

Yes: several designated organizations can act together, with one commitment certificate

This is from IRCC's instructions to its own officers, posted for stakeholders. IRCC's Help Centre answers the same question (linked).

In IRCC’s words:
“While there is no limit to the number of designated entities that can support a commitment, when there are multiple designated entities acting in syndication, only 1 commitment certificate will be issued containing all the details and requirements of all participating designated entities. The lead designated entity is responsible for submitting the commitment certificate to IRCC.”
“If 1 of the syndicated entities is a designated venture capital fund, the venture capital fund must act as the lead and the minimum total investment of $200,000 applies. If there are no venture capital funds in the syndication, but there is at least 1 angel investor group, they must be the lead and the minimum total investment of $75,000 applies.”

IRCC Help Centre: what happens if I receive investment support from more than one designated organization?

Source: IRCC, page dated March 12, 2026
No

Not through this program: it is for cultural activities or athletics

IRCC also paused this program to new applications on April 30, 2024.

In IRCC’s words:
“This permanent residence program is for people who: ... have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics ... will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 11, 2026
No

Not now: IRCC stopped accepting applications on April 30, 2024

In IRCC’s words:
“We stopped accepting applications for this program on April 30, 2024.”

IRCC: why the Self-Employed Persons Program was paused

Source: IRCC, page dated December 19, 2025
No, but this is who the program was for.

Paused since April 30, 2024; this is who IRCC's program is for

In IRCC’s words:
“To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must: ... have relevant experience ... be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada ... meet the program’s selection criteria and ... meet medical, security and other conditions”
“We stopped accepting applications for this program on April 30, 2024.”
“Your experience is relevant if you have: ... taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or ... been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics”
“Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience.”
“It must be during the period starting 5 years before the day you apply and ending on the day we make a decision on your application.”
“We assess you on selection criteria that include your: ... experience ... education ... age ... language abilities ... adaptability”
“You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.”

IRCC Help Centre: how can I qualify to immigrate as a self-employed person?

Source: IRCC, page dated December 19, 2025
No, but it asked for money to support your family.

IRCC's page asks for enough money to support yourself and your family

The program page doesn't name a net worth figure. IRCC answers the net worth question in its Help Centre (linked).

In IRCC’s words:
“You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.”
“We stopped accepting applications for this program on April 30, 2024.”

IRCC Help Centre: is there a net worth requirement for the self-employed program?

Source: IRCC, page dated December 19, 2025

What would change the answer

What you might not have asked yet

Sources

Answer for your situation

Other answers

Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.