Canada’s Startup Visa program survives the new immigration cuts, but applicants now face two very different timelines. A small group, about 10 per cent, could get permanent residence in two to three years.
The rest may wait more than a decade. Ottawa kept the SUV target at around 500 admissions a year, even as other immigration streams face significant reductions. Many founders may opt for the faster work permit route, which offers a three-year renewable permit within a few months.
The country is also tightening rules for temporary residents to relieve pressure on housing and services. A new citizenship law will also restore rights to many Canadians born abroad and their children.
