As of June 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the processing time for permanent residence under the Start-up Visa Program to approximately 43 months.
This increase reflects growing global demand for Canada’s Start-up Program.
Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller has emphasized a more focused and strategic immigration approach:
“Fast processing is critical to the success of entrepreneurs and the integrity of our system,” – Marc Miller, 2024
To address backlogs and strengthen program quality, the government has:
- Introduced temporary intake limits for designated organizations
- Paused the Self-Employed Persons Program to redirect the maximum resources to process Start-up Visa applications
- Streamlined the Startup Visa process for entrepreneurs with genuine business potential
If you’re looking to move to Canada faster under the Startup Visa Program, here’s how you can do it even while your PR application is still being processed:
Open Work Permit While PR Is in Process
If you’ve received a Letter of Support from a designated organization, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit which is valid up to 3 years and move to Canada while your PR is processed.
Work permit processing times:
- 5 weeks – For applicants in special occupations
- 8–12 weeks – For most general occupations, based on the assumption that 5 weeks is the benchmark for prioritized cases
This pathway is particularly favorable for applicants from Pakistan, as IRCC has prioritized faster work permit issuance in select cases.
In addition to the Startup Visa pathway, Canada also offers Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) designed for entrepreneurs seeking entry and regional business opportunities:
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for Entrepreneurs
Canada also offers entrepreneur-focused Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. These programs allow individuals to launch, acquire, or partner in Canadian businesses and eventually obtain PR through provincial nomination.
Each province has its own criteria but if you’re a driven entrepreneur looking for Canadian access, these programs may offer a tailored path forward.
At Immigration Ways, we’ve proudly guided high-profile Pakistani individuals, including CEOs, startup founders, and industry leaders to achieve their goal of global access through Canada’s Startup Visa Program and related pathways.
Whether you’re a visionary with a scalable idea or a seasoned business executive, we understand your goals and we have the roadmap.
Contact us today to explore your options and start your journey.