C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit Canada: Significant Benefit Guide 2026

1. What Is the C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit?

The C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit is an LMIA-exempt Canadian work permit option for certain foreign business owners whose proposed work in Canada would create or maintain significant economic, social or cultural benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

C11 operates under Canada's International Mobility Program and is based on paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

It can potentially apply where a foreign national intends to temporarily come to Canada to:

• establish a qualifying Canadian business;
• acquire and operate an existing business;
• expand an existing business in which the applicant has controlling ownership; or
• actively operate a qualifying business the applicant already owns.

Business ownership alone does not create C11 eligibility.

The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed work satisfies the significant-benefit test and the other requirements applicable to a temporary work permit.

For the broader Canadian work authorization framework, see the Work Permit Canada: Requirements & Complete Guide .

2. Legal Basis for the C11 Work Permit

The legal foundation for C11 is paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Under R205(a), a work permit may be issued, subject to the general work permit requirements, where the foreign national intends to perform work that would create or maintain:

• significant social benefits;
• significant cultural benefits;
• significant economic benefits; or
• significant opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

C11 is therefore fundamentally different from a conventional labour-market-tested work permit.

The central issue is not whether an employer was unable to find a Canadian worker.

The central issue is whether the applicant's proposed work satisfies the significant-benefit framework and the other requirements for temporary work authorization.

3. Does a C11 Work Permit Require an LMIA?

No.

C11 is an LMIA-exempt category under Canada's International Mobility Program.

This means that a qualifying business owner does not first need a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada.

However, LMIA-exempt does not mean requirement-free.

The applicant must establish the specific regulatory basis for the exemption and provide sufficient evidence for an officer to conclude that the proposed work will create or maintain the required significant benefit.

For the broader framework, see the LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada guide .

4. C11 Rules Changed in 2025

Applicants researching C11 online can encounter substantial outdated information.

IRCC revised the business-owner C11 instructions on May 27, 2025 and placed significantly greater emphasis on the temporary nature of the category.

Under the current framework, important issues include:

• the applicant should control at least 51% of the business;
• the applicant must genuinely be seeking temporary residence;
• the applicant should demonstrate sufficient business funds;
• personal and family support funds should be established separately from business capital;
• the proposed work must provide significant benefit to Canada;
• the initial work authorization is generally expected not to exceed 18 months; and
• the applicant should have a credible plan for what happens to the business after the temporary period.

5. The 51% Ownership and Control Requirement

Under the current C11 business-owner framework, the work permit should generally be considered only where the applicant controls at least 51% of the business.

The ownership structure should be transparent and supported by reliable corporate documentation.

Depending on the business structure, relevant evidence can include:

• articles of incorporation;
• share registers;
• share certificates;
• shareholder agreements;
• corporate minute books;
• purchase agreements;
• partnership documentation; and
• other records establishing effective control.

An applicant who owns less than the required controlling interest should not assume that C11 applies merely because they have invested in the Canadian company.

6. C11 Is for an Active Business Owner, Not a Passive Investor

C11 is a work permit.

The applicant must therefore be coming to Canada to perform qualifying work in the business rather than merely holding an investment.

The application should explain why the owner's physical presence and active management are necessary during the proposed temporary period.

Relevant responsibilities can include:

• launching Canadian operations;
• strategic management;
• business development;
• recruitment and team building;
• supplier development;
• client acquisition;
• financial oversight;
• technology implementation;
• market expansion; and
• establishing systems that can later operate without the applicant's continuous presence.

Passive ownership without a credible work function does not establish the rationale for a C11 work permit.

7. What Is “Significant Benefit” for C11?

Significant benefit is the central substantive requirement in a C11 application.

The benefit must go beyond the personal advantage the applicant receives from owning and operating a Canadian business.

The evidence should demonstrate meaningful benefit or opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents.

Depending on the business, relevant benefits can include:

• creating Canadian jobs;
• maintaining existing employment;
• economic activity and Canadian expenditure;
• innovation;
• technology development;
• skills or knowledge transfer;
• development of new products or services;
• expansion into export markets;
• addressing a demonstrated market or service gap;
• economic activity in a smaller or underserved community; or
• meaningful social or cultural contributions.

There is no automatic formula under which a particular investment amount or number of jobs guarantees significant benefit.

8. The Benefit Must Be Credible During the Work Permit Period

Long-term projections can help explain the business model, but a C11 application should not depend primarily on benefits that may occur many years after the requested work permit expires.

The application should identify what the business can realistically accomplish during the applicant's authorized temporary stay.

A strong implementation plan can therefore identify:

• launch milestones;
• capital deployment;
• Canadian hiring dates;
• anticipated payroll;
• customer acquisition;
• supplier spending;
• revenue milestones;
• product or service launches;
• training or knowledge transfer; and
• other measurable benefits expected during the permit period.

9. Job Creation and the C11 Significant-Benefit Test

Canadian job creation can be a strong indicator of economic benefit, but the hiring plan must be credible.

Rather than stating that the company will eventually employ a large workforce, the application should connect each proposed hire to:

• the business model;
• the operating timeline;
• projected revenue;
• available funding;
• the organizational structure; and
• actual operational requirements.

Where the business is already operating, existing Canadian payroll and employment records can be particularly useful evidence.

Where the business is new, hiring projections should be conservative, financially supported and achievable within the requested work permit period.

10. What Type of Business Can Qualify for C11?

C11 does not contain a universal list of approved industries.

The assessment instead focuses on the business owner, the proposed work, the viability of the Canadian operation and the significant benefit expected from that work.

Depending on the evidence, applications can involve:

• technology businesses;
• professional services;
• manufacturing;
• specialized trades;
• food and agricultural businesses;
• export-oriented businesses;
• specialized retail or services;
• creative or cultural enterprises;
• existing business acquisitions; and
• other commercially viable operations.

The fact that a business is lawful and profitable does not automatically establish significant benefit for immigration purposes.

11. Can You Start or Buy a Business for a C11 Work Permit?

A C11 application can potentially involve either establishing a new Canadian business or acquiring an existing one.

Starting a new business

A start-up case generally requires strong evidence of operational readiness, financing, market demand and an implementation plan.

Buying an existing business

An acquisition can provide an operating history, customers, revenue, employees and physical infrastructure, but the applicant still needs to demonstrate why their proposed work creates or maintains significant benefit.

Purchasing a business is therefore not, by itself, a Canadian immigration program.

The acquisition and the work permit eligibility should be assessed as related but distinct issues.

12. Buying an Existing Business: Immigration Due Diligence

A proposed acquisition should be reviewed from both a commercial and immigration perspective before the transaction is finalized.

Relevant issues can include:

• purchase price;
• ownership structure;
• source of funds;
• historical revenue;
• profitability;
• existing payroll;
• employee retention;
• customer concentration;
• lease obligations;
• equipment and inventory;
• tax liabilities;
• licensing requirements;
• seller dependence;
• business valuation; and
• whether the applicant's involvement can realistically create or maintain significant benefit.

A commercially weak acquisition does not become a strong immigration case merely because the applicant will own 51% or more of the company.

13. Is There a Minimum Investment for a C11 Work Permit?

There is no single prescribed C11 investment amount that guarantees eligibility.

The required capital depends on the actual business.

A professional-services company can have very different capital requirements from a restaurant, manufacturing business, logistics company or technology venture.

The relevant question is whether the applicant has sufficient credible and available capital to execute the business plan.

Officers can assess the relationship between:

• available investment capital;
• business acquisition cost;
• premises;
• equipment;
• inventory;
• marketing;
• payroll;
• working capital;
• projected revenue; and
• the implementation timeline.

14. Business Funds and Personal Support Funds

Current C11 applications should clearly distinguish between money available for the business and money available to support the applicant and accompanying family.

Business funds

The business should have sufficient capital to carry out the proposed Canadian operations.

Personal and family funds

The applicant should separately demonstrate sufficient available resources to support the family during the temporary stay in Canada.

Using the same funds simultaneously as both business investment capital and family living money can undermine the financial credibility of the plan.

The source and availability of funds should also be documented.

15. Proving the Source and Availability of Funds

Large bank balances are more persuasive when the application also explains how the funds were accumulated and establishes that they are genuinely available.

Depending on the circumstances, evidence can include:

• bank statements;
• business financial statements;
• employment income records;
• tax returns;
• dividend records;
• sale agreements;
• investment statements;
• property sale records;
• inheritance evidence;
• loan documentation where relevant; and
• records tracing significant transfers into the applicant's accounts.

The financial narrative should be consistent with the applicant's business history, income, assets and proposed Canadian investment.

16. C11 Business Plan Requirements

The business plan is often a central piece of the C11 evidence, but it should function as an evidence-based implementation document rather than a generic marketing presentation.

Depending on the business, a strong plan can address:

• business concept;
• ownership and control;
• applicant's business background;
• Canadian market analysis;
• competitor analysis;
• products or services;
• pricing;
• sales strategy;
• marketing strategy;
• premises;
• suppliers;
• licensing;
• staffing;
• implementation timeline;
• capital deployment;
• financial projections;
• cash flow;
• significant-benefit analysis;
• the applicant's Canadian duties; and
• transition or exit planning.

Every major projection should be capable of being reconciled with the underlying evidence.

17. Market Research and Commercial Viability

A viable C11 proposal should demonstrate that the Canadian business is based on identifiable commercial demand rather than assumption.

Market evidence can address:

• target customers;
• market size;
• competitors;
• pricing;
• regional demand;
• industry trends;
• barriers to entry;
• licensing requirements;
• customer acquisition costs; and
• the specific gap the Canadian business proposes to address.

Generic statements that an industry is “growing” are substantially weaker than evidence tied to the actual location, customer base and business model.

18. Does the Applicant Need Business Experience?

C11 is not structured as a points program with a universal prescribed number of years of entrepreneurial experience.

However, the applicant's ability to implement the proposed business is highly relevant to credibility.

Useful evidence can include:

• previous business ownership;
• senior management experience;
• industry experience;
• professional qualifications;
• education;
• business achievements;
• financial performance of previous businesses;
• employee management experience; and
• experience directly relevant to the Canadian business model.

A significant mismatch between the applicant's background and the proposed business can require a particularly strong explanation and supporting management structure.

19. How Much Business Preparation Should Be Completed Before Applying?

C11 applicants should generally demonstrate that the Canadian business proposal is real and sufficiently advanced to be implemented.

Depending on the circumstances, evidence of preparation can include:

• Canadian incorporation;
• business number registration;
• ownership documentation;
• purchase agreements;
• commercial lease arrangements;
• licence applications;
• supplier discussions;
• equipment quotations;
• customer interest;
• website and branding development;
• banking arrangements;
• professional service engagements; and
• documented capital commitments.

The appropriate level of preparation depends on the business and should be balanced against the fact that the applicant may not yet be authorized to perform work in Canada.

20. Temporary Residence Intent Is Central to C11

C11 is a temporary work permit category.

The applicant must satisfy the officer that the requirements for temporary residence are met, including that the applicant will leave Canada when the authorized period of stay ends.

Business ownership in Canada does not eliminate this requirement.

Relevant evidence can include:

• a defined temporary business objective;
• an 18-month implementation roadmap;
• a transition or succession strategy;
• continuing foreign business interests;
• family and economic ties outside Canada;
• property or residence abroad;
• professional obligations abroad; and
• a coherent explanation of what will happen when the requested work authorization ends.

An application framed primarily as a mechanism to relocate permanently to Canada can create tension with the temporary nature of the C11 category.

21. C11 Work Permits and Dual Intent

Canadian immigration law recognizes that a foreign national can have a future permanent residence intention while also seeking temporary residence.

However, dual intent does not remove the requirement to satisfy the officer that the applicant will comply with the conditions of temporary residence if permanent residence is not obtained.

A C11 applicant should therefore distinguish between:

• a possible future permanent residence plan; and
• the present legal basis for temporary work authorization.

The C11 application should stand on its own as a temporary work permit application.

22. How Long Is a C11 Work Permit Valid?

Under the current business-owner framework, C11 work authorization is generally expected not to exceed 18 months.

This shorter horizon reflects the temporary purpose of the category.

The requested duration should correspond with the business implementation plan and the period for which the applicant's presence is genuinely required.

Passport validity and other immigration factors can result in a shorter permit.

Applicants should not assume that C11 provides an automatic renewable right to continue operating the business indefinitely from Canada.

23. Why a C11 Transition or Exit Plan Matters

A credible transition plan can help reconcile active business ownership with the temporary nature of the C11 work permit.

The appropriate strategy depends on the business, but can include:

• recruiting a Canadian manager to assume day-to-day operations;
• developing an existing management team;
• transferring operational responsibilities;
• returning to an oversight role performed from outside Canada;
• selling or restructuring the business; or
• pursuing a separate immigration pathway if independently eligible.

The plan should be commercially realistic rather than created solely as immigration language.

24. Employer Portal Requirements for C11

C11 is generally processed as an employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit.

Before the work permit application is submitted, the applicable employer-side process generally includes:

1. creating the required Employer Portal submission;
2. entering the Canadian business information;
3. entering the applicant and position information;
4. identifying the applicable LMIA-exemption basis;
5. paying the employer compliance fee; and
6. obtaining the offer of employment number.

The offer number normally begins with the letter A and is included in the work permit application.

The Employer Portal submission does not itself establish C11 eligibility. The work permit application must separately establish the significant-benefit case.

25. C11 Work Permit Fees in 2026

The standard government fees relevant to a typical C11 application can include:

Other temporary residence fees can apply depending on the applicant and accompanying family.

Government fees can change, so the current IRCC fee schedule should be checked before submission.

See the Canada Work Permit Fees and Biometrics guide .

26. C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit Document Checklist

C11 applications are evidence-intensive because the officer must assess both the applicant and the underlying Canadian business.

Depending on the case, documents can include:

• passport;
• CV or résumé;
• education and professional credentials;
• evidence of entrepreneurial experience;
• Canadian incorporation documents;
• share ownership records;
• shareholder agreements;
• business purchase agreement;
• business valuation evidence;
• commercial lease;
• licences and permits;
• business plan;
• market research;
• financial projections;
• bank statements;
• source-of-funds evidence;
• proof of business capital;
• proof of separate personal support funds;
• supplier agreements or quotations;
• customer contracts or expressions of interest;
• staffing plan;
• existing payroll where applicable;
• tax and financial records for an acquisition;
• evidence of foreign ties;
• transition or exit plan;
• Employer Portal offer number; and
• legal submissions addressing R205(a) and the significant-benefit test.

See also the Canada Work Permit Documents Checklist .

27. How to Apply for a C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit

A well-prepared C11 application normally develops the business case before the work permit is submitted.

1. Assess whether C11 is the correct work permit category.
2. Establish the required ownership and control structure.
3. Complete commercial due diligence if buying an existing business.
4. Establish sufficient business capital and separate personal support funds.
5. Develop the Canadian business implementation plan.
6. Identify and document the significant benefits expected during the permit period.
7. Prepare evidence of the applicant's experience and ability to execute the plan.
8. Develop the temporary-residence and transition strategy.
9. Complete the Employer Portal submission and employer compliance requirements.
10. Submit the work permit application with the supporting evidence and legal submissions.
11. Complete biometrics and an immigration medical examination where required.

See the How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada .

28. Is a C11 Work Permit Open or Employer-Specific?

C11 normally results in an employer-specific work permit connected to the applicant's Canadian business.

It should not be confused with an open work permit that permits employment for almost any eligible Canadian employer.

The authorization is issued for the work described in the approved application and is subject to the conditions imposed on the work permit.

See the Employer-Specific Work Permit Canada guide .

29. Can You Apply for C11 at a Canadian Port of Entry?

Most foreign nationals cannot apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry.

Whether a particular applicant can legally make a port-of-entry application depends on the applicable work permit and travel-document rules.

Where port-of-entry processing is legally available, the applicant must still establish all substantive C11 requirements.

A business plan, corporate documents, significant-benefit evidence and the applicable employer-compliance documentation remain important.

The existence of a Canadian corporation or offer of employment number does not by itself establish eligibility.

30. Can a C11 Work Permit Be Extended?

A C11 extension should not be treated as automatic.

An applicant seeking continued work authorization must establish continued eligibility under the applicable rules at the time of the new application.

An extension application can require evidence of what actually occurred during the initial permit period, including:

• business operations;
• revenue;
• Canadian employment created or maintained;
• payroll;
• capital deployed;
• customers;
• supplier activity;
• tax filings;
• innovation or other claimed benefits;
• continued need for the applicant's work; and
• continued compliance with temporary residence requirements.

Failure to achieve projections does not automatically determine the result, but major unexplained differences between the original plan and actual operations can raise credibility concerns.

See the Canada Work Permit Extension guide .

31. C11 vs. Intra-Company Transfer

C11 and Intra-Company Transfer are different LMIA-exempt work permit frameworks.

Where a foreign entrepreneur already operates a substantial foreign company and is expanding that multinational enterprise into Canada, ICT should be assessed before assuming C11 is the appropriate category.

See the Intra-Company Transfer Canada guide .

32. C11 vs. Canada Start-Up Visa

C11 and the federal Start-Up Visa Program are legally different.

C11 is a temporary work permit category under the International Mobility Program.

The Start-Up Visa Program is a federal permanent residence program for qualifying innovative entrepreneurs.

The federal Start-Up Visa Program was paused on June 30, 2026, and IRCC is no longer accepting new permanent residence applications under the program.

IRCC continues to process qualifying applications accepted before the pause.

The optional Start-Up Visa open work permit is also closed to new applicants, although certain existing SUV work permit holders may qualify to extend their permits while their permanent residence applications remain in process.

33. Does a C11 Work Permit Lead to Permanent Residence?

C11 does not itself provide permanent residence.

A C11 holder who wants to remain permanently in Canada must separately qualify under an available permanent residence program.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, possibilities can include:

• Provincial Nominee Programs;
• provincial entrepreneur immigration pathways;
• Express Entry where independently eligible;
• family sponsorship where applicable; or
• another federal or provincial immigration program.

The availability and requirements of these pathways can change and should be assessed independently from C11.

34. Does C11 Work Experience Count for the Canadian Experience Class?

Business owners should be particularly careful with this issue.

Under the current Canadian Experience Class rules, work experience obtained while self-employed generally does not count toward the CEC minimum work experience requirement.

There is a separate current exception for certain physicians providing publicly funded medical services, but that exception should not be generalized to entrepreneur work.

A C11 strategy should therefore not be built on the assumption that operating the applicant's own Canadian business for one year will automatically create CEC eligibility.

For the broader permanent residence system, see the Express Entry Canada Complete Guide .

35. Can the Family of a C11 Business Owner Come to Canada?

Accompanying family members may be able to apply for temporary status, but each family member must satisfy the requirements applicable to their own application.

A spouse or common-law partner should not assume that an open work permit is automatically available simply because the principal applicant holds C11 status.

Canada's family open work permit rules were substantially restricted in January 2025 and eligibility depends on the principal worker's circumstances and the applicable current rules.

School-age children can also have separate study authorization considerations depending on where and how the application is made.

Family strategy should therefore be assessed alongside the principal C11 application rather than after the work permit is approved.

See the Spousal Open Work Permit Canada guide .

36. Common C11 Work Permit Refusal Risks

Treating C11 as an investment visa

Buying a business or transferring money to Canada does not automatically establish significant benefit.

Insufficient ownership or control

The current business-owner framework generally requires at least 51% control.

Passive investment

The applicant should demonstrate genuine active work in the Canadian business.

Generic significant-benefit claims

Statements about creating jobs or helping the economy are weak where they are unsupported by financial and operational evidence.

Benefits occurring too far in the future

The application should demonstrate credible benefit during the requested temporary work period rather than relying primarily on distant projections.

Unrealistic financial projections

Revenue, payroll and hiring projections should correspond with market evidence and available capital.

Insufficient business capital

The applicant should have the resources needed to implement the actual business plan.

Using business capital as personal support funds

Current C11 applications should clearly distinguish operational capital from funds available to support the applicant and family.

Unexplained source of funds

Significant deposits or transfers should be supported by evidence demonstrating their legitimate source and availability.

Weak temporary intent

A submission focused almost entirely on permanent relocation can undermine the temporary-residence basis of C11.

No transition plan

The applicant should explain what will happen to the business when the requested temporary period ends.

Applicant-business mismatch

A business unrelated to the applicant's experience can raise questions about the credibility and viability of the proposal.

Choosing C11 when another category fits better

An entrepreneur expanding an established foreign multinational may need an Intra-Company Transfer analysis rather than automatically relying on C11.

37. C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit Checklist

38. C11 Entrepreneur Work Permit FAQs

What is a C11 work permit?

C11 is an LMIA-exempt work permit category under the International Mobility Program for qualifying business owners whose proposed work in Canada creates or maintains significant economic, social or cultural benefit or opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents.

What law authorizes C11?

The underlying regulatory authority is paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Does C11 require an LMIA?

No. C11 is an LMIA-exempt work permit category.

How much of the Canadian business must I own?

Under the current business-owner framework, C11 should generally be considered only where the applicant controls at least 51% of the business.

Is 50% ownership enough for C11?

The current guidance uses a controlling-interest threshold of at least 51%, so an applicant should not rely on older material referring to a 50% threshold.

Can I buy a Canadian business and get a C11 work permit?

Buying an existing Canadian business can form part of a C11 application, but the purchase does not automatically create work permit eligibility. The applicant must satisfy the current C11 requirements, including significant benefit.

Can I start a new business under C11?

Potentially. A new-business application should demonstrate operational readiness, sufficient funding, commercial viability, significant benefit and the applicant's ability to implement the plan.

Is there a minimum investment for C11?

There is no single prescribed investment amount that guarantees C11 approval. Capital must be sufficient and credible for the particular business proposed.

Is C11 an investor visa?

No. Investment or business ownership alone does not satisfy the significant-benefit work permit requirements.

Do I need a business plan?

A detailed evidence-based business plan is normally a central part of establishing viability, implementation, financial capacity, significant benefit and temporary purpose.

What is significant benefit?

Under R205(a), the proposed work must create or maintain significant social, cultural or economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Does C11 require job creation?

Job creation can be strong evidence of economic benefit, but R205(a) does not establish a universal prescribed number of jobs that every C11 business must create.

Can innovation support a C11 application?

Potentially. Genuine innovation, technology development, skills transfer or introduction of valuable products or services can be relevant to the significant-benefit assessment when supported by credible evidence.

Do I need separate business and personal funds?

Current C11 applications should demonstrate sufficient business capital and separately establish sufficient available resources to support the applicant and accompanying family.

How long is a C11 work permit?

Under the current business-owner framework, C11 work authorization is generally expected not to exceed 18 months.

Is C11 an open work permit?

No. C11 normally results in an employer-specific work permit connected to the applicant's Canadian business.

How much is the work permit fee?

The current standard work permit processing fee is $155.

Is there an employer compliance fee?

For the applicable employer-specific IMP process, the current employer compliance fee is $230.

Can a C11 permit be extended?

A further work permit may be possible where the applicant continues to satisfy the applicable requirements, but continuation should not be treated as automatic.

Does C11 give permanent residence?

No. C11 is a temporary work permit category. Permanent residence requires separate eligibility under an available immigration program.

Does C11 work count for the Canadian Experience Class?

Self-employed work generally does not count toward Canadian Experience Class work experience. A C11 business owner should therefore not assume that one year of operating the business will create CEC eligibility.

Can I have permanent residence intentions while applying for C11?

Canadian law recognizes dual intent, but the applicant must still satisfy the officer that the requirements of temporary residence will be respected if permanent residence is not obtained.

Is C11 the same as an Intra-Company Transfer?

No. ICT is based on a qualifying multinational enterprise transferring an eligible employee. C11 focuses on a qualifying business owner and significant benefit under R205(a).

Is C11 the same as the Start-Up Visa?

No. C11 is a temporary work permit category. The Start-Up Visa is a separate federal permanent residence program, and new SUV permanent residence applications are currently paused.

Is the Start-Up Visa still accepting new applications in 2026?

No. IRCC paused the Start-Up Visa Program on June 30, 2026 and is no longer accepting new permanent residence applications under that program.

Is the Start-Up Visa open work permit still available to new applicants?

No. IRCC stopped accepting new applications for the optional Start-Up Visa open work permit on December 19, 2025. Certain existing SUV work permit holders may still qualify for extensions while their permanent residence applications are processed.