Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program was designed to attract top global entrepreneurs to strengthen Canada’s innovation economy. But today, processing delays of 3–5 years are blocking hundreds of founders from launching and scaling their businesses in Canada.

Over 1,500 entrepreneurs and investors have joined a call to action demanding reform. The evidence is clear: every month of delay costs Canada millions in lost investment, jobs, and innovation opportunities.

Key Findings

• ⏳ Average wait time: 3+ years (some over 4.5 years)

• 💼 Jobs at stake: 1,800 full-time Canadian positions

• 💰 Capital blocked: $50–70 million in planned investment

• 💡 Industry focus: AI, HealthTech, CleanTech, FinTech, Advanced Manufacturing

• 😔 Human impact: 85% of founders report severe stress; families face housing and schooling instability

• 🔒 Investor hesitation: 85% say lack of PR prevents funding or expansion
  
  

The Cost of Delay

Every stalled application weakens Canada’s position as a global innovation hub. The report estimates potential GDP losses of $500 million over five years if reforms don’t happen soon

These founders are already contributing—incorporating Canadian companies, hiring locally, and building partnerships with universities and innovation hubs—yet remain in limbo due to outdated immigration processing.

The Path Forward

The community calls for urgent policy action:

1. At least 5,000 admissions per year

2. Set a clear 12–18 month processing standard and expand annual admissions.

3. Prioritize security screening with 180-day completion targets.

4. Introduce a “Business Continuity Visa” for founders awaiting PR.

5. Launch transparency dashboards and real-time applicant tracking.

6. Align IRCC with Innovation Canada (ISED) to unify immigration and economic growth strategies.

Our Message

🖋 Sign the petition. Support #SUVnow. Build Canada’s Future.