IRCC clarifies A77 work permit prioritization

IRCC has clarified that the A77 work permit is the specific permit available only to start-up visa clients and the only work permit considered when prioritizing start-up business class applications. The A77 work permit prioritization update affects how officers assess the application inventory for Start-up Visa (SUV) applicants.

What changed in the instructions

The updated guidance in the “Prioritization of the inventory” section now names the A77 work permit code. Previously, the instructions referred generally to a work permit available only to SUV clients without identifying the code.

This is an operational clarification rather than a new eligibility requirement for the start-up business class. For prioritization purposes, officers are to consider only a valid A77 work permit held by a member of the entrepreneurial team.

How applications are prioritized

The current instructions say start-up business class applications should be accepted into processing in the following order. First-in, first-out processing applies within each priority level.

• Applications meeting the prioritization conditions under the new Ministerial Instructions.
• Applications where no team member holds a valid A77 work permit, but the application meets one or more other prioritization conditions.
• All other applications.

Priority conditions in the current guidance

The instructions state that applications may be eligible for priority processing where the commitment is made by an authorized venture capital fund investing at least $200,000, an authorized angel investor group investing at least $75,000, or an authorized business incubator investing at least $75,000.

They also refer to commitments from certain designated organizations listed in the instructions. Authorized venture capital funds, angel investor groups and business incubators are those included in the department’s list of designated organizations.

What SUV applicants should note

Applicants and representatives preparing a Start-up Visa file should ensure the team’s work permit information is accurate where prioritization is relevant. The revised wording makes clear that a different work permit is not the permit considered under this priority assessment.

The current operational instructions also state that intake for the start-up business class has been paused from January 1, 2026, until further notice. Because commitment certificates are valid for six months, some applications may still be accepted until June 30, 2026, provided the commitment certificate was submitted before January 1, 2026, and remains valid.

Source: IRCC Program Delivery Updates