Official Clarification Letter From IRCC Regarding Start-Up Visa Processing Time

On 10/24/2025, IRCC sent an official letter to the Designated Organizations in the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program, explaining in detail the recently circulating information, especially the figure of application processing time purported to be over 10 years. Ontario Startup Studio would like to analyze this so everyone can clearly understand that IRCC's response is entirely consistent and aligned with what Ontario Startup Studio has analyzed in the past, specifically in the three articles below:

• Bill C-12 - Is it really the "boogeyman" holding life-and-death power over Canada's immigration system?

• The history of backlogged or inefficient programs, and the birth of the criteria upgrade system - The pioneering role of Ontario Startup Studio (OSS)

• Anyone wondering why SUV Processing Time is up to 10 years, come read this!

🧭 “10 years” is only a forecast model, not the actual processing time, and "could, and likely will, change."

IRCC does not affirm that the actual processing time will be 10 years; this number is just a temporary technical estimate displayed according to the new forecast model. This means that if the current application backlog remains the same and immigration targets are not increased for many years, it would theoretically take that long. The "over 10 years" time displayed does not mean applications will be frozen for 10 years. This is just a forecast model so applicants know how many applications are in the inventory and which types the system is prioritizing. IRCC clearly stated they understand the concerns of organizations and SUV applicants and are considering measures to continue attracting entrepreneurial talent, meaning they are still trying to improve the situation, not abandoning the program. IRCC confirms in the letter:

“The forecast of 420 months for new applicants is currently accurate but based on factors that could, and likely will, change.”

"The 420-month forecast for new applications is currently correct based on current data, but it is calculated based on factors that could and very likely will change in the future." As IRCC affirmed, these factors "could, and likely will, change." In other words, this number is just a technical calculation, based on inventory data and current targets. When the Government adjusts targets or when the application volume decreases, the estimate will automatically change. IRCC emphasizes that this publication is intended to make data transparent, so applicants can know the number of applications in the inventory and their place in the queue, not a "10-year waiting sentence" as some rumors have spread.

🧱 IRCC is not taking action to cancel Incubator applications en masse

In the letter, IRCC clearly states:

“Applications that are not supported by a commitment that meets one of these conditions will be processed following those that are prioritized, on a first-in, first-out basis, as annual admissions space allows.”

"Applications without a commitment meeting one of the priority conditions mentioned above will be processed after the prioritized applications, on a first-in, first-out basis, and within the annual admission limits allowed by IRCC." This means:

• Applications remain in the system.

• Applications not in the priority group (with committed capital or supported by Canada’s Tech Network) will be processed later, not eliminated.

• The limit of 10 start-ups per designated organization is only to control the volume of new applications after the inventory grew high in previous years; it does not affect applications already submitted.

⚙️ IRCC remains committed to maintaining and improving the SUV program

IRCC writes:

“We are committed to attracting top entrepreneurial talent while making the immigration system more sustainable.”

"We are committed to continuing to attract excellent entrepreneurs, while ensuring the immigration system operates in a stable and sustainable manner." This shows that Canada continues to maintain the SUV program for the long term, with the goal of attracting genuine entrepreneurs, projects with potential, real capital, and clear business plans.

Conclusion

The official response from IRCC perfectly matches the assessments Ontario Startup Studio has previously published:

• The SUV remains a long-term strategic program for Canada. The Canadian government continues to affirm its commitment to the Start-Up Visa program.

• IRCC is considering policy measures to ensure Canada continues to attract entrepreneurial talent, not to shrink the program.

• IRCC has never announced the cancellation of any SUV applications.

• The "10-year processing" figure is only a temporary technical estimate.

• Applications are still being processed according to a clear order and priority criteria.

Ontario Startup Studio recommends that investors:

• Maintain regular contact with a reputable consulting firm.

• Ensure the project is actively being implemented, has authentic investment capital, and a transparent business plan.

• Do not panic or believe baseless rumors circulating online.

In a time when information spreads quickly and is sometimes misleading, the ability to analyze and correctly understand the core of the issue is the factor that distinguishes a professional consultant from an unprofessional one. With complex immigration programs like the Start-Up Visa, consulting is not just an administrative service, but a strategic decision-making process that requires:

• High-level logical thinking to read and correctly interpret IRCC's original policies.

• The ability to connect information and critically evaluate data, rather than being led by emotions or rumors.

• Professional ethical responsibility, as each piece of advice can directly affect the client's immigration journey and future.

Therefore, Ontario Startup Studio always adheres to the principle: "Do not spread rumors - Only analyze official facts." With systems thinking capabilities and a deep understanding of policy structure, the Ontario Startup Studio team not only guides clients to file successful applications but also leads them in the right direction within the increasingly complex competitive environment of Canada's Start-Up Visa ecosystem.

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Original text of the IRCC letter

Update from IRCC

Good afternoon,

We are writing to you in your capacity as a designated organization in the Start-up Visa (SUV) program. You may have noticed that IRCC has changed the way it reports processing times for applicants in the SUV program. (Processing times can be found here: Check current IRCC processing times - Canada.ca) This change has led several organizations to contact us with questions and concerns, which we hope to address with this message.

The Department is improving how it reports processing times to provide forward-looking estimates with more up-to-date information so clients can have a more transparent and predictable experience. (This contrasts with the previous approach, which provided a historical processing time that was based on the time it took the Department to process 80% of complete applications in the preceding 6 months). Applicants will be able to get a better estimate of how long it should take to process their application, the number of people in the inventory, and approximately how many other applicants are ahead of them.

While this new approach may be more useful for clients, it does provide a much longer estimated processing time for applications in the SUV program than the previous approach, as clients applying today or who have applied in the last few years will be told by the processing time tool on IRCC’s website to expect a decision in more than 10 years. In addition, there have been references to SUV processing times of 420 months in the media, which were included in briefing material provided to Minister Diab following the spring election. The forecast of 420 months for new applicants is currently accurate but based on factors that could, and likely will, change, including the size of the application backlog and the annual admissions targets set by the Government.

Why have processing times grown?

While there are additional factors, current processing time estimates are based primarily on the number of applications in the current SUV inventory and how many IRCC expects to process to stay within the approved targets in the annual Immigration Levels Plan. If there are more people applying than available annual levels spaces, processing times can increase. If there are more applications in the inventory than available levels space, any processing efficiency measures or increased productivity will not improve or decrease processing times.

We have seen this situation play out in the SUV program in recent years, which is why IRCC introduced caps of 10 start-ups per designated organization, and criteria for prioritizing some applications over others. However, since these measures were introduced in April 2024, the Government reduced immigration targets. This reduction in available spaces affected the SUV program, as it did other IRCC lines of business, and consequently processing times have increased.

IRCC’s Client Support Centre agents have access to the same processing time information as shown on the website. Contacting IRCC will not speed up the processing of an application. Applications in the SUV program will be processed according to the criteria established in April 2024, which prioritizes the processing of applications with committed capital or that are supported by organizations that are members of Canada’s Tech Network. Applications that are not supported by a commitment that meets one of these conditions will be processed following those that are prioritized, on a first-in, first-out basis, as annual admissions (levels) space allows.

We understand that the estimated processing times will be a cause for concern for SUV applicants and our designated organization partners. As outlined in the Prime Minister’s mandate letter, we are committed to attracting top talent while making the immigration system more sustainable and are assessing options to ensure that Canada continues to welcome top entrepreneurial talent.

Regards,

The Business Immigration Team Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada